Steering Gear - 4WD

STEERING GEAR - 4WD

Steering Gear - 4WD:

Removal

Caution:
^ When repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of contaminants or premature failure of the power steering components can result.

1. Remove the front wheels and tires.
2. Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position and remove the ignition key.
^ Rotate the steering wheel until the steering column locks into position.
3. On vehicles with 4.0L engine, remove the power steering fluid cooler.
4. Loosen the tie-rod jam nuts.
5. Remove the outer tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
^ Discard the cotter pins.

Caution:
^ Do not damage the tie-rod boot when installing SST 211-001.

Note:
^ Remove the adapter from the ball end of SST 211-001. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool.

6. Using SST 211-001, separate the outer tie rods from the wheel knuckles.





7. Remove the outer tie rods.
^ Count and record the number of turns required to remove the outer tie-rod end.
8. Remove the stabilizer bar and link.

Caution:
^ Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clock-spring can result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.

9. Remove the lower steering column shaft to steering gear bolt and disconnect the shaft from the gear.
^ Discard the bolt.
10. Remove the steering line clamp plate nut and disconnect the pressure and return lines.
^ Discard the O-ring seals.

Caution:
^ Hold the tops of the steering gear studs to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes.

11. Remove the 2 steering gear nuts and stud bolts.
12. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the front of the vehicle.





13. Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached.
14. Move the steering gear as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible.





15. Move the LH inner tie rod forward to clear the frame crossmember.





16. Remove the steering gear.





Installation

Note:
^ Handle the steering gear with caution to avoid damage to fluid transfer tubes and to avoid dimples in the steering gear bellows boot.

1. Make sure the steering gear input shaft is turned to the left until the stop is reached.
2. Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached. Note the number of turns required.

Note:
^ Make sure the steering gear control valve housing is turned toward the front of the vehicle.

3. Install the steering gear into the RH opening of the crossmember.





Caution:
^ Take care not to scuff or tear the steering gear bellows boots.

4. Move the steering gear as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible.





5. Move the LH inner tie rod into the opening in the crossmember and move the steering gear into position.





6. To place the steering gear in the straight-ahead position, turn the steering gear input shaft to the left by 1/2 the number of turns previously recorded.
7. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the rear of the vehicle.





8. Install the 2 steering gear stud bolts.

Caution:
^ Hold the tops of the steering gear-to-crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes.

9. Install the 2 steering gear nuts.
^ Tighten to 150 Nm (15.3 kgf-m, 111 ft-lbf).

Note:
^ New O-ring seals must be installed any time the lines are disconnected from the steering gear or a fluid leak may occur.

10. Position the pressure and return lines and install the steering line clamp plate nut.
^ Tighten to 35 Nm (3.6 kgf-m, 26 ft-lbf).

Caution:
^ Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clock-spring can result. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and re-centered.

11. Connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install a new bolt.
^ Tighten to 55 Nm (5.6 kgf-m, 41 ft-lbf).
12. Install the stabilizer bar and link.
13. Install the outer tie-rod ends.
^ Rotate the outer tie-rod ends the number of turns recorded during removal.
14. Position the outer tie rods and install the nuts and new cotter pins.
^ Check that the brake disc shields are not bent and are not in contact with the outer tie-rod end boots.
^ Tighten to 80 Nm (8.2 kgf-m, 59 ft-lbf).
15. On vehicles with 4.0L engine, install the power steering fluid cooler.
16. Tighten the tie-rod jam nuts.
^ Tighten to 80 Nm (8.2 kgf-m, 59 ft-lbf).
17. Fill and leak check the system.
18. Check and, if necessary, align the front end. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT PREINSPECTION. Wheel Alignment Pre-Inspection