Steering - Steering Wheel Nibble Between 45 and 75 MPH
Article No.98-18-13
STEERING-STEERING "NIBBLE"/STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT FELT WHEN DRIVING OVER SMOOTH SURFACES BETWEEN 72 AND 120 KM/H (45 AND 75 MPH)-EXCLUDING TAURUS SHO
FORD:
1996-98 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1996-98 SABLE
This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to exclude Taurus SHO.
ISSUE
A steering "nibble" may be felt in the steering wheel when driving on smooth roads between 72 and 120 km/h (45 and 75 mph) on some vehicles. A nibble may be defined as "slight rotational movement" in the steering wheel. This may be caused by lateral runout in the tire/wheel assembly.
ACTION
Perform normal steering/suspension vibration diagnostics and, if necessary, install a revised yoke spring in the steering gear. The spring should increase the damping force and reduce the amount of tire/wheel inputs to the steering wheel. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Remove the stabilizer bar. Refer to the appropriate Taurus/Sable Service Manual, Section 04-01, for stabilizer bar removal.
2. Remove the jam from the yoke spring nut.
3. Remove the yoke spring nut (Figure 1).
4. Remove the yellow yoke spring and discard.
5. Install a new yoke spring which is dark blue in color.
NOTE
THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE EXTREMELY CRITICAL AND MUST BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY. BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURES BEFORE CONTINUING THE REPAIR.
6. Make two (2) marks on consecutive corners on the top outside edge of the yoke spring hexnut (Figure 2). The marks are needed to properly adjust the yoke spring preload.
7. Reinstall the yoke spring nut and tighten to 5.5 +0.4 N.m (50 15 lb-in). This bottoms the yoke against the rack.
NOTE
THE TIGHTENING TORQUE OF THE YOKE SPRING NUT IS CRITICAL.
8. Make a mark on the steering gear housing that aligns with mark # 1 on the yoke spring nut.
9. Back off the yoke spring nut until mark # 2 aligns with the mark on the steering gear housing. 59 degrees of nut rotation is the target. This sets the clearance between the yoke and rack.
10. Hold the yoke spring nut in place and reinstall the locknut. Tighten the locknut to 62 +6 N.m (45+5 lb-ft).
11. Install stabilizer bar. Refer to the Service Manual, Section 04-01, for stabilizer bar installation.
12. Test drive vehicle to determine if nibble is corrected.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
F8DZ-3F516-AA Yoke Spring
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 97-17-6
SUPERSEDES: 98-17-20
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
981813A Install Revised Yoke 1.2 Hrs.
Spring
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
3F516 07
OASIS CODES: 303000, 306000, 703000