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Cardone 22-281 Rack and Pinion Assembly
| Brand | Cardone 22-281 |
|---|---|
| Casting Material | Aluminum |
| Distance Between Mounting Holes (in) | 17.75 |
| Distance Between Mounting Holes (mm) | 450.85 |
| E-Waste | No |
| Hose Port Type | O-Ring |
| Input Shaft Diameter (in) | 0.73 |
| Input Shaft Diameter (mm) | 18.42 |
| Input Shaft Length (in) | 1.75 |
| Input Shaft Length (mm) | 44.45 |
| Number of Mounting Holes | 2 |
| Package Contents | Rack and Pinion, Sealing Kit, Instruction Sheet |
| Pressure Port ID Size | 0.436 |
| Product Condition | Remanufactured |
| Rack Length (in) | 51.00 |
| Rack Length (mm) | 1295.40 |
| Return Port ID Size | 0.386 |
| Steering Rack Color | Black |
| Thread Length (in) | 2.50 |
| Thread Length (mm) | 63.50 |
| Tie Rod Ends Included | Yes |
| Total Turns Lock to Lock | 2.88 |
| Product line | Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| Fits | Ford, Mercury, and Mazda · 13 vehicles |
Remanufactured OE part. Delivers a precise fit with factory-tested performance.
Aluminum construction. Lightweight housing with a protective coating to resist corrosion.
New sealing components. Replaced rubber seals help reduce internal leaks and extend service life.
Cross-references Ford 5L8Z3504BA, Ford 6L8Z3504D and Ford 7L8Z3504D for the same application. See all 16.
Remanufactured Electronic Power Steering Rack
CARDONE 22-281 is a remanufactured rack and pinion assembly built for hydraulic power steering applications on select Ford, Mazda, and Mercury vehicles. It is engineered with new sealing components, a protective finish, and factory testing to support consistent steering response in daily driving.
This rack and pinion assembly is a direct-fit replacement for applications such as the 2004-2007 Ford Escape, 2005-2007 Mercury Mariner, and 2005-2006 Mazda Tribute. The CARDONE rack and pinion assembly line focuses on OE-style fitment and verified on-car communication during testing.
Key Features
- Remanufactured Original Equipment-style rack and pinion assembly
- New spool valve seals and rack donut seals installed where applicable
- 100% replacement of rubber sealing components
- Specialized lubricant applied for extended service life
- Factory test driven under extreme operating conditions
- Protective coating helps resist corrosion and rust
- Aluminum casting material with black finish
- Includes inner tie rods and sealing kit
- O-ring hose port type
- 2.88 total turns lock to lock
Product Details
Part number 22-281 is a remanufactured steering rack built to restore hydraulic steering performance in vehicles that use this specific rack and pinion design. It measures 51.00 inches in rack length, has a 17.75-inch mounting hole spacing, and uses a 0.73-inch input shaft diameter. The assembly is finished in black and uses aluminum casting for the housing. For fitment-focused searches, this is a direct replacement rack and pinion for 2004-2007 Ford Escape, 2005-2007 Mercury Mariner, and 2005-2006 Mazda Tribute models with the listed tire and hydraulic steering configurations. This part cross-references Ford 5L8Z3504BA and Mazda EF9132110.
Common Steering Issues It Can Address
- Hard steering during the first few minutes of driving
- Internal fluid leakage in the steering rack
- Steering that does not return to center after a turn
- Power steering pump whine caused by air in the system after replacement
- Excessive steering play or inconsistent steering feel
Installation Notes
Fits 2004 Ford Escape, N/A; 2005-2006 Ford Escape, N/A; 2007 Ford Escape, N/A; 2005-2006 Mazda Tribute, N/A; and 2005-2007 Mercury Mariner, N/A, with the configuration notes listed in the fitment data. For warranty validation, install an in-line filter where recommended, use the suggested OE fluid, and flush the hydraulic power steering system during installation. The steering system must be bled completely to remove air, and front-end alignment should be checked if the vehicle does not return to center.
Quality Assurance
Each CARDONE remanufactured rack and pinion assembly undergoes a factory test drive that simulates demanding operating conditions while checking on-car communications. Rubber sealing components are replaced, specialized lubricant is applied, and the unit is finished with a protective coating to support durability. CARDONE’s remanufacturing process also reduces the energy and raw material needed to produce a new part by 80%.
| Year | Make | Model | Submodel | Fuel Type | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Ford | Escape | — | GAS | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Before 01/08/2007; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2007 | Mercury | Mariner | Premier | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Before 01/08/2007; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2007 | Mercury | Mariner | Luxury | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Before 01/08/2007; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2007 | Mercury | Mariner | Convenience | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Before 01/08/2007; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2006 | Ford | Escape | — | GAS | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2006 | Mazda | Tribute | — | — | N/A | Install in-line filter and use OE fluid; flush hydraulic power system when installing Rack and Pinion Assembly with inner tie rods for warranty validation.; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2006 | Mercury | Mariner | Premier | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2006 | Mercury | Mariner | Convenience | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2006 | Mercury | Mariner | Luxury | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2005 | Ford | Escape | — | GAS | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2005 | Mazda | Tribute | — | — | N/A | Install in-line filter and use OE fluid; flush hydraulic power system when installing Rack and Pinion Assembly with inner tie rods for warranty validation.; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2005 | Mercury | Mariner | — | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| 2004 | Ford | Escape | — | — | N/A | with P235/70R16 Tires; From 12/23/2003; Includes Inner Tie Rods; In-Line Filter available; For warranty purposes it is recommended to always install a filter and to use suggested OE Fluid and flush the system; with Hydraulic Power; Rack and Pinion Assembly |
| No rows match your filter. | ||||||