Compare Ford S-Max steering rack repair quotes from specialist garages

Ford was the first carmaker to introduce a vehicle assembly line, speeding up the process of production and bringing cars to more people than ever before. The brand's motorsport credentials are equally impressive. In the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Ford ended Ferrari's six-year winning streak, beating the likes of Porsche and Lamborghini to the title with an ever-popular GT40.

Jim Morrison, the lead singer of rock band The Doors, famously adored his 1967 Ford Shelby GT500, the only car he ever owned. It is a mystery to this day where the vehicle ended up after his death.

Find out the average price of a Ford service or MOT here, or read this guide to see how Ford's maintenance costs compare with Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Rack and pinion steering relies on a gear set to convert the turning movement of the steering wheel into the motion required to turn the wheels. When this system is combined with power steering, the configuration changes slightly to include a cylinder with a piston in the middle.

Check out this guide for a detailed explanation of how your a car's steering system works.

The three top reasons for a steering rack repair or replacement are cracked rubber lines and hoses, loose connections, and failed seals between the steering column and rack and pinion.

Common signs of a problem include:

• Leaking power steering fluid
• Loose or inconsistent steering
• Vibrating steering wheel
• Wheels not returning to the centre
• Instability on the motorway