2005 F150TXRD steering bracket assembly

[pstephens46]

My assembly appears to have some significant rust that is visible at the bottom end. Is this normal? Sum b is over $500 and I am sure a pain to get to. For $500 you would think it might be stainless?

[fairdeal]

On my F225TXRD, it seems to be just the heads of the lower mount bolts that corrode.

I replaced them two years ago when I had everything apart for the exhaust kit,

happened to have the skirt off recently and could see they are actively rusting again.

IIRC, the new bolts take like a 18 mm wrench,

there was so much steel lost off the head I used a 14 mm to remove.

Overall, though, it looked a heck of a lot better at 10 years old:




Than my 2006 Mercury F90 did at 5 years:



And as you surmise - not a trivial project to R&R....

[pstephens46]

Test!!!!

https://postimg.org/image/8lxdpwxq5/

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Seems like someone has a winter project!!!