Steering Rack Sliding Force Measurement

1. Raise the vehicle on a lift and remove the front tires and engine under covers.





2. Use Kent-Moore tool # J24319-01 (or equivalent) to remove both tie rods from the steering knuckle arms (see Figure 2).

3. Secure the steering wheel in the neutral (center) position with a steering wheel holder.





4. Confirm the "matching mark" on the rack and pinion, the "protrusion" on the rubber cap and the "aligning groove" on the transfer gearbox lower joint are all aligned (see Figure 3).

5. Disconnect the transfer gearbox lower joint from the rack and pinion assembly (see Figure 3).

6. Start the engine and let it idle to allow the power steering fluid to reach its normal operating temperature (140 - 176 °F).

7. With the engine still running, use a pull gauge to measure the steering rack sliding force for both the left and right tie rods as follows:

A. Place the steering rack in the neutral (center) position.





B. Attach Kent-Moore pull gauge # J-44183-A to each tie rod using heavy gauge wire (see Figure 4).

C. Slowly pull on the pull gauge on a straight line with the steering rack and note the reading on the gauge at the exact moment the tie rod starts to move.

D. Center the steering and check sliding force from the opposite side.

8. Verify the left and right side pull gauge readings are at the maximum limit of 255 N (26 Kg, 57 lb).

A. If the left and right side pull gauge readings are at the maximum above noted specifications, re-assemble the components removed in this procedure (refer to steps 6-10 under Steering Rack Sliding Force Adjustment, for details). Then complete Wheel/Tire Assembly Radial Force Variation (RFV) Measurement Procedure.

B. If the left and right side pull gauge readings are not at the above noted specifications, complete Steering Rack Sliding Force Adjustment.