Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Fig. 14 Power steering gear assembly. Impulse:

Disassembly
Refer to Fig. 14 during disassembly procedure.

1. Disconnect oil pipe, then remove wire and clamp.
2. Remove air vent pipe, then the tie rod assembly.
3. Remove adjusting plug locknut, then the adjusting plug.
4. Remove pressure pad spring and pressure pad.
5. Remove valve housing dust cover, then the valve housing attaching bolts.
6. Hold valve housing stub shaft at serrations and remove it together with the housing, then remove shims. Use care not to damage oil seal in valve housing during removal.
7. Remove retaining ring by inserting a needle punch into hole in outer circumference of housing.
8. Remove ring holder, then the rack shaft assembly. The piston cannot be removed from the rack shaft.
9. Remove oil seal, then force out back-up ring using a suitable tool.

Assembly
Refer to Fig. 14 during assembly procedure.

1. Lubricate grooves in rack teeth, sliding face of pressure pad and piston sealing face, then install shaft assembly into steering housing.
2. Install holder assembly, using protector tool No. J-33997-9 to protect gasket, then the retaining ring. Ensure distance between outside end of holder assembly and tip end of rack shaft is approximately 2.68 inches.
3. Adjust rack shaft and pinion backlash as follows:
a. Install seven shims (.14 inch) from repair kit into steering housing.
b. Install valve and valve housing assembly. Torque attaching bolts to 14.5-21.7 ft. lbs.
c. Measure and record clearance between steering housing and valve housing mating surfaces.
d. Remove valve and valve housing assembly, then remove shims equivalent in thickness to clearance measured in step c.
e. Coat valve housing sealing surface with suitable sealant, then install valve and valve housing assembly. Torque attaching bolts to 14.5-21.7 ft. lbs.
4. Install valve housing dust cover, then the pressure pad and pressure pad spring.
5. Install adjusting plug and torque to 5.42 ft. lbs., then back off 30-35 degrees.
6. Install adjusting plug locknut and torque to 43-54 ft. lbs. After torquing locknut, ensure rack shaft operates smoothly.
7. Install tie rod assembly and torque to 58-72 ft. lbs.
8. Install wire and clamps, then the oil pipe. Torque oil pipe fitting to 12 ft. lbs.
9. Install air vent pipe.