97-98 Regal, 98 Intrigue
Lower Pinion Bearing Inspection -- 1997-1998 Buick Regal, 1998 Oldsmobile IntrigueThe following service procedure is for inspection of the lower pinion bearing and can be performed without completely removing the steering gear from the vehicle.
Tools Required
^ J 44714-B Pinion Bearing Remover
^ J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
1. Open the hood.
2. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support.
Important
When removing the dust cap in the next step, watch for loose ball bearings that may have separated from the inner and outer pinion hearing races.
3. Remove the dust cap (3) from the steering gear housing (2) and inspect for loose ball bearings. Refer to Figure 1.
^ If no ball bearings were found in the dust cap, proceed to the next step and replace the lower pinion bearing.
^ If one or more ball bearings were found loose in the dust cap, proceed to the section in this bulletin titled, "Steering Gear Replacement", for the described vehicles.
4. Support the rear of the engine frame (cradle) and remove the two rear attaching bolts.
5. Remove the left and right side stabilizer bar links from the lower control arms.
6. Reposition the stabilizer bar as necessary to improve access to the steering gear.
7. Remove the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
8. Remove the bolt and separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
9. Lower the rear of the engine cradle as necessary to access the steering gear.
10. Remove the steering gear from the engine cradle mounting brackets and reposition to access the adjuster plug lock nut and the adjuster plug. Do not remove the plug.
11. Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (3) and the adjuster plug (2). Refer to Figure 2. Do not remove the plug.
Important
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
12. While holding the stub shaft (1), remove the retaining nut (4) from the pinion shaft. Refer to Figure 1. Do not reuse the nut.
13. Remove the lower retaining snap ring (1). Refer to Figure 3.
Important
Placement of a block of wood between the steering gear housing and the transmission case will help to support the steering gear in the next step.
Important
The bearing retainer being removed in the next step is a small piece of wire that keeps all of the ball bearings evenly spaced inside the the bearing races.
14. Using a small "pick" like too, remove the bearing retainer from the bearing. Refer to Figure 4.
15. After removing the bearing retainer, reposition the ball bearings into two groups of four. Refer to Figure 5.
16. Separate the 2-legged puller from the center nut on the J 44714-B, Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller, and insert the puller legs into the openings between the two groups of ball bearings.
17. With the forcing screw backed off, screw the center nut into the puller.
Tighten
Tighten the nut until it bottoms against the puller.
18. While holding the center nut with a wrench, tighten the forcing screw to remove the bearing from the housing. See Figure 7.
Important
Inspect the gear housing to ensure that all pieces of the old bearing have been removed.
19. Apply a small quantity of lubrication (e.g. multi-purpose grease or power steering fluid) inside the housing bore where the new bearing will be installed.
20. Center the new bearing over the pinion thread. The bearing can be installed with either side facing outwards.
21. Place the bearing installer (1) J 44714-2 (included in J 44714-B) over the pinion thread. Refer to Figure 8. If necessary, use the extension included with the installer. Lightly tap with a hammer until the bearing is seated in the housing.
22. Install a new snap ring. Refer to Figure 9. When properly installed, the large lug (1) on the snap ring must be on the right side as shown.
Important
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
23. While holding the stub shaft (1), install a new retaining nut (3) on the pinion shaft. Refer to Figure 10.
Tighten
Tighten the retaining nut to 30 Nm (22 lb ft).
24. Install a new dust cap (2) to the steering gear housing.
25. Center the rack in the housing.
Tighten
Tighten the adjuster plug (2) to 10 Nm (88 lb in), and then back off 40 to 50 degrees (4). Refer to Figure 11.
26. Check the torque on the pinion. Maximum pinion preload torque is 4 Nm (35 lb in).
27. Tighten the adjuster plug lock nut (3) firmly against the steering gear housing while holding the adjuster plug (2) stationary.
28. Install the steering gear in the engine cradle mounting brackets.
29. Install the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb ft).
30. Raise the rear of the engine cradle and install the rear attaching bolts.
Tighten
Tighten to 180 Nm (133 lb ft).
31. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 48 Nm (35 lb ft).
32. Reposition the stabilizer bar.
33. Install the left and right side stabilizer bar links to the lower control arm.
Tighten
Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb ft).
34. Lower the vehicle.
35. Check the power steering fluid and add if necessary.
Steering Gear Replacement, If Required -- 1997-1998 Buick Regal, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
For additional information on steering gear removal, refer to the Steering section in the appropriate Service Manual or SI.
The following service procedure is based on certain steps having already been performed in the inspection procedure.
1. Remove the bolt and separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
2. Support the rear of the engine frame (cradle) and remove the two rear attaching bolts.
3. Remove the left and right side stabilizer bar links from the lower control arms.
4. Reposition the stabilizer bar as necessary to improve access to the steering gear.
5. Remove the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
6. Lower the rear of the engine cradle as necessary to access the steering gear.
7. Loosen the outer tie rod end adjuster nuts.
8. Remove both wheel and tire assemblies.
9. Remove the nuts that attach the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles.
10. Using the J 24319-B (outer tie rod end puller) or equivalent, separate the tie rod ends from the knuckles.
11. Disconnect the pressure and return lines from the steering gear.
12. If equipped, disconnect the electrical connector from the steering gear.
13. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
14. Remove the tie rod ends from the old steering gear.
15. Measure the position of the adjuster nuts on the old steering gear and adjust the new nuts on the new steering gear to the same measurement.
16. Install the tie rod ends on the new steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten the adjuster nuts to 68 Nm (50 lb ft).
17. Install the new steering gear in the engine cradle mounting brackets.
18. If equipped, connect the electrical connector for the steering gear.
19. Install the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb ft).
20. Connect the pressure and return lines to the steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).
21. Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Install the retaining nuts.
Tighten
Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb ft), plus 120 degrees (or 2 flats of the nut).
22. Raise the rear of the engine cradle and install the two rear attaching bolts.
Tighten
Tighten to 180 Nm (133 lb ft).
23. Install the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
Tighten
Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb ft).
24. Reposition the stabilizer bar.
25. Install the left and right side stabilizer bar links to the lower control arms.
Tighten
Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb ft).
26. Install both wheel and tire assemblies. Install lug nuts.
Tighten
Tighten lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb ft).
27. Lower the vehicle.
28. Add power steering fluid and bleed the system.
29. Check the alignment and set toe-in as necessary.