Steering Gear Service

Fig. 8 Fabrication dimensions for anti-friction bearing removal plate.:

Steering gear service is limited to adjustment of the rack damper and replacement of the anti-friction bearing. If other malfunctions are evident, the steering gear should be replaced as an assembly.

ANTI-FRICTION BEARING, REPLACE

Removal of the anti-friction bearing requires fabrication of a puller plate as shown in Fig. 8. Note that dimensions of tool are given in millimeters.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle, allowing front wheels to hang free.
2. Release clips securing RH tie rod boot, then pull boot away from steering gear.
3. Disconnect RH tie rod from rack, and retain the steering lock stop, lock washer and on early design units, the stop washer.
4. Remove circlip and washer, then pry bearing outer bushing from housing with small screwdriver.

Fig. 9 Anti-friction bearing removal.:

5. Install fabricated puller plate, threading 2 screws into anti-friction bearing, then remove bearing by cycling steering rack to full right lock, Fig. 9.

Fig. 10 Anti-friction bearing installation.:

6. Install new bearing (8) on rack, along with 2 seal rings (9), then install the used bearing (7), steering lock stop (1) lock washer (2) and the tie rod, Fig. 10.
7. Cycle steering rack to full left lock to press bearing into place, then remove lock washer, lock stop and used bearing.
8. Reverse remaining procedure to complete installation, and torque tie rod ball joint to 36 ft. lbs.

RACK DAMPER ADJUSTMENT

Proper adjustment requires the use of dial indicator support 8.0703-J1/J2 which allows a dial indicator to be installed in place of the rack damper cover.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle, allowing front wheels to hang free.
2. Remove cover from bottom of rack, along with seal, adjustment shims, spring and rack damper.

Fig. 5 Typical rack run out measurement:

3. Reinstall rack damper and spring, then install indicator support and suitable dial indicator, Fig. 5.
4. Rotate sector coupling to drive rack from LH steering lock to RH steering lock without applying force to either end of rack , and mark position of rack where dial indicator shows the most clockwise movement.
5. Return rack to position marked (highest point on rack), then zero dial indicator.
6. Pull rack toward damper, with enough force to compress spring and apply force on damper, then note indicator reading. The indicator reading should correspond to the damper clearance (less shims) at the highest point on the rack.
7. Select shims to obtain clearance of .0004-.002 inch (.01-.06 mm), as close as possible to .0004 inch.
8. Install selected shims and recheck clearance with indicator. When proper shims have been selected, install cover, shims and new O-ring, and torque cover bolts to 7.25 ft. lbs.