Cheap Ford S-Max Steering Rack

The Ford S-Max ran in two main generations: the first generation covered 2006 to 2015, and the second generation covers 2015 onwards. Steering racks are generally generation-specific, so a rack from within the first generation (2006–2015) should be your starting point if that is what you own. Always confirm the exact part against your registration with the breaker, as mid-generation updates can affect compatibility.

A 2013 S-Max is first generation and a 2016 S-Max is second generation, so these are different platforms and the steering rack is very unlikely to interchange. You should only be looking at second-generation (2015-onwards) racks for a 2016 car. Confirm the exact match with the breaker using your registration number before purchasing.

Yes, engine size can influence the steering rack specification on the S-Max, as heavier or more powerful variants may use a different rack to suit the additional weight or output. When contacting a breaker, always quote your engine size alongside your registration to make sure you get the correct unit. Do not assume all engines within the same generation share the same rack without checking.

Trim level alone does not affect steering rack fitment on the S-Max — a Zetec, Titanium, or Titanium X within the same generation and engine size should use the same rack. What you may notice is that parts pulled from different trim levels could have minor cosmetic differences on ancillary brackets, but this does not affect the rack itself. Focus your search on matching generation and engine size rather than trim name.

Both a 2009 and a 2014 S-Max fall within the first generation (2006–2015), so there is a reasonable chance of compatibility, but you should not assume all first-generation racks are identical as specification updates can occur across a long production run. Quote both the donor and recipient registrations to the breaker and ask them to cross-reference the part numbers before committing. This is especially important if the engine sizes differ between the two cars.

Yes, this is a critical difference — electric power steering (EPS) and hydraulic power steering racks are not interchangeable, and fitting the wrong type will not work correctly or safely. The S-Max was offered with both systems across its production life, so you must confirm which type your car has before sourcing a used rack. Check your existing rack or ask the breaker to confirm the type against your registration to avoid an expensive mistake.