Steering Gear: Adjustments

ADJUSTMENT

CAUTION: Steering gear must be adjusted in the proper order. If adjustments are not performed in order, gear damage and improper steering response may result.

NOTE: Adjusting the steering gear in the vehicle is not recommended. Remove gear from the vehicle and drain the fluid. Then mount gear in a vise to perform adjustments.

1. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
2. Mount the gear carefully into a softjawed vise.

CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear case. This may affect the adjustment

3. Hold the steering gear upside down over a drain pan and rotate the input shaft back and forth several times lock-to-lock to discharge the fluid from the steering gear
4. Rotate the input shaft to the left stop and then back-off approximately 45 degrees. Using an inch-pound torque wrench on the input shaft, record the peak torque required to slowly and evenly rotate the input shaft clockwise 1/2 turn (180 degrees) starting from the 45 degree position. This peak torque reading is the preload torque. The preload torque must be within 2 - 10 inch lbs..
5. Rotate the input shaft to its center of travel (approximately 1.5 turns from either stop). Place the torque wrench on the input shaft with the handle in the vertical position. Rotate the torque wrench slowly and evenly 1/2 turn (90 degrees) each side of center and record the peak torque measure on or near center. This total on-center torque reading must be 5 - 9 inch lbs.. higher than the previously measured preload torque without exceeding a total of 17 inch lbs.. The value of the total on-center minus the preload torque is defined as the meshload torque
6. If required, adjust the on-center torque by loosening the adjuster screw lock nut and turning the adjuster screw until the total on-center and meshload torque readings fall within the specified values. Turn the adjuster screw clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to decrease the torque reading. While holding the adjuster screw in place, tighten the lock nut to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).
7. Re-check the preload and on-center torque readings.
8. Install pitman arm on the steering gear.
9. Reinstall steering gear to the vehicle.