[Crazy Dazz]

In typical Ford Fashion, they changed the steering geometry for the AU, but didn't get around to revising the sway bar links, so they bend. All our series 1's had bent rods, and the old women doing the inspections don't like this. They fixed it for series 2 onwards, and maybe even late 1's, but the newer links don't fit. Fortunately whiteline now do an EF/EL kit that works.

At some point in time Ford realised that the AU's posterior was almost as ugly as its face, and they started dressing it up with "spoilers." For some reason they decided this could only be achieved by drilling holes in the boot lid and not sealing them properly. This resulted in almost mandatory rusting in the lower boot lip, because the water is channelled there and there are no drain holes. But on the plus side its really refreshing to go into your boot and have fetid water dribble on your neck.

The next issue cannot be blamed wholey on Ford, but also on the idiots in the replacement parts market. If you own an AU, eventually you will need to replace the power-steering pressure switch, which is the automotive equivalent of an appendix. Everyone has one, nobody knows why, and you never notice until it gives you trouble.
The first problem is that it is almost impossible to remove without Ford's special tool. An open crows-foot spanner, and much swearing, will eventually do the job.
DO NOT succumb to the temptation to buy anything but the genuine Ford part, despite the price differential. For some reason, the replacement switches are sealed with a o-ring that simply dissolves on contact with P/S fluid. I kid you not. The original part can last for 10 years or more. The knockoff will start leaking within 6 months to a year.
The solution is to either only buy the genuine part, OR obtain a replacement o-ring in NITRILE.