honkbeep

This weekend we ran into a new problem with an early 2014 C-max. This car was in a wreck that bent the right tie rod. After replacing it and getting the car aligned, things worked fine. With the outside temperature at around 20 F, the steering wheel locked up completely. It felt as if something in the rack was totally jammed. There was a small clunk going between directions if power steering was on. Later, when the engine had run for several minutes and after jacking it up, it unfroze as if nothing ever happened, and the car could be driven. The next test is to place a candle warmer underneath the right tie rod boot (which was cut open to make installation possible) and see if that unfreezes it - but my hopes aren't high. It most likely needs a steering rack. On car-part.com, there is a new late-2014 focus/C-max steering rack that shows lack of interchange with older cars. They are cheaper. It seems likely that they fail less often. Does anyone know if a newer steering rack could be fitted? Thanks!

Hello! I've been a reader of this forum and driver of C-maxes for some time now, and I figured it's time to join. Me and my dad work on salvage auction projects together. In 2019 he won a 2008 Escape Hybrid that wasn't running and driving for cheap. With a new 12V battery, he got it started. Now we've bought 5 Escape hybrids and 5 C-maxes total! Some were parts cars and unfinished projects, but we provided some good prices to family and friends. I have a 2013 301A, and my sister has a 2014 302A. C-max number 5 was just added to the family today, and it's one we've been waiting for to appear on the auction for months. It's a gray 2016 Energi SEL 301A (501A?) with 31k miles. https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetail/PS~34812728~US~01182023?tenant=US while the link is still live, but here's a photo for posterity: It's likely going to be shipped from Billings after which we'll be able to take a look. Upper radiator supports and hood are damaged but that looks to be the main casualty. Even the bumper cover looks to be untouched! This is Energi #2 and our first car that will have the 'good' transmission and Sync 3. The hope is that with low miles it could easily go to my mother and stay in the family for 10+ years.