Steering Gear: Service and Repair
STEERING GEAR REMOVAL / INSTALLATION - 4X2Removal
1. Turn the wheel to the straight-ahead position and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove the fluid cooler.
4. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nuts at the tie rod ends.
Caution:
^ Do not damage the tie-rod boot when installing the special tool.
Note:
^ Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool.
5. Using the special tool, separate the tie rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
Caution:
^ Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.
6. Remove the pinch bolt and detach the intermediate shaft from the gear.
1 Discard the bolt.
7. Remove the nut and disconnect the lines.
8. Plug or cap the power steering return hose, power steering pressure hose and the steering gear ports to prevent entry of dirt.
Caution:
^ Hold the tops of the steering gear to crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes.
9. Remove the nuts.
10. Remove the mounting stud, nut, washer and stop assemblies.
11. Remove the steering gear.
Installation
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
1 Using the special tool, install new seals on the power steering return hose and power steering pressure hose.
2 If necessary, remove the tie-rod ends.
3 The dished side of the washer faces downward.
4 Install a new intermediate shaft pinch bolt.
2. Fill, purge, and leak check the power steering system.
3. Check and if necessary, adjust the wheel alignment.