sure

 

Unless this page is wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Escape_Hybrid, the '08/'09 FEH is wider than an older FEH by one inch.

The '09 Escape brochure lists both the FE and FEH at 71.1" wide which is the same as in the link above. Wondering why the '09 shop manual lists two different outer tie-rods!

Vehicle width is just that, not track width and not saying that the distance from outer to outer tie-rod end would be the same and not listed in general vehicle specs.

 

Jim,
From the Ford Escape HEV 2005-07 parts list catalog:
Outer tie rods: 05-06 R/L 5M6Z 3A130 AA .3 hrs labor wholesale cost $25.05
Inner tie rods: 05-07 R/L 6M6Z 3280 A .5 hrs labor wholesale cost $54.67

The 07's have a different outer tie rod 07 R/L 5L8Z 3A130 AA $70.77
Don't know what the 08-09's share, but I've read here they moved the electric steering motor??
These numbers are ford #'s and expect Ford to mark the up at least 40%..
Good luck
Mike

 

What about the steering gear part number? No part number with a 3289 in it?

 

I thought Jim was replacing tie rods?
From the Ford parts catalog: Steering gear 6M6Z 3504 AA 3.6 hrs labor, wholesale cost $747.76 list $1114.xx I finally got them down to $960.00 but I thought that was still too much. So, I found a guy in San Diego that said he could rebuild it for $250...we'll see.
M

 

He is but you stated that the steering gear was different, so I was doing the asking. It is a different number.

How do you rebuild a assembly that not servicable or a unit that no individual parts are sold for? Just like the EPS where the whole steering colume including the EPS motor, module, etc. is replaced as a unit. Same goes for the rearend on the 4WD also.

 

I'm currently replacing my outer tie rod ends on my 2007 FEH and have found that most after market references state that the non-hybrid and hybrid ends are the same. They are not - the hybrid tie rod thread is smaller in diameter. The correct end is a Motorcraft MEOE-81 or 5M6Z-3A130-AA.

Ironically, I found the best price on Amazon.

 

I am selling my used Rack and Pinion Part #6M6Z 3504 AA. It comes from my 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid. I only want $400 plus you pay shipping. (I DARE YOU to try to find it for less than $1600 taxes and shipping included!)

$400 and it's yours!
Steven
305 305 2469

 

I did the same project on mine recently. I actually found it easier to just replace the inner and outer on both sides with the non-hybrid ones. Works fine, cheap, and easy to find to boot.

 

Great tip. I wonder why they are unique. Seems like it would save Ford money having a single part number.