Steering Gear: Service and Repair

POWER STEERING GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION





WARNING: Before removing the steering gear box center the front wheels. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render the SRS system inoperative risking serious injury.





<3.0L ENGINE>

REMOVAL SERVICE POINTS
<> TIE ROD END DISCONNECTION

CAUTION:
- Use special tool MB991113 or MB990635 to loosen the nut from the ball joint instead of removing it.
- Hang special tool MB991113 or MB990635 with ropes to prevent it from falling.





Use special tool MB991113 or MB990635 to disconnect the ball joint.

<> GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY REMOVAL

CAUTION: Be sure not damage the bellows and the tie rod end dust cover when-removing thy gear box assembly.

INSTALLATION SERVICE POINTS
>>A<< PRESSURE TUBE ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION

Align the marks on the pressure tube assembly and steering gear box, and install the pressure tube assembly.

>>B<< RETURN HOSE ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION

Align the marks on the return hose assembly and steering gear box, and install the return hose assembly.

INSPECTION

GEAR BOX TOTAL PINION TORQUE CHECK

CAUTION: When holding the steering gear box assembly in a vice, secure its mounting positions. If it Is secured in any other places, the gear housing may become deformed or damaged.

Using special tool MB990228 or MB991006, rotate the pinion gear at the rate of one rotation in approximately 4 to 6 seconds to check the total pinion torque.
Standard value: 0.8 -1.9 Nm (6.9-16.5 inch lbs.) [Change in torque: 0.7 Nm (6.1 inch lbs.) or less]

NOTE: When measuring, remove the bellows from the rack housing.
Measure the pinion torque through the whole stroke of the rack. If the measured value is not within the standard range, first adjust the rack support cover, and then check the total pinion torque again.
If the total pinion torque cannot be adjusted to within the standard range by adjusting the rack support cover, check the rack support cover, rack support spring, rack support and replace any parts if necessary.

TIE ROD SWING RESISTANCE CHECK
1. Give 10 hard swings to the tie rod.

2. Measure the tie rod swing resistance with a spring balance.
Standard value: 4.0 - 18.6 N (17.8 - 82.7 lbs.) [1.0 - 4.9 Nm (8.7 - 43.4 inch lbs.)]
3. If the measured value exceeds the standard value, replace tie rod.
4. If the measured value is below the standard value, the tie rod can be re-used if it swings smoothly without excessive play.