Rear Power Cylinder (Steering Gear) Replacement

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Clean steering system piping using suitable steam cleaner or equivalent.
3. Drain steering system fluid into a suitable container.
4. Remove main muffler assembly.

Fig. 11 Rear Power Cylinder Removal:

5. Remove rear power cylinder in numbered sequence shown, noting the following:
a. Before removing the crossmember self-locking nut, support differential case with a suitable transmission jack , then remove the self-locking nut.
b. Secure power cylinder on tie rod side with a suitable spanner wrench and remove power cylinder mounting nut.

Fig. 12 Measuring Swing Torque:

6. Inspect the tie rod swing torque as follows:
a. Swing tie rod ten times, hard.
b. Point tie rod end down, then attach a suitable spring scale as shown and measure swing torque.
c. If swing torque is more than 26 lb-in, replace the tie rod.
d. If swing torque is less than 4 lb-in, the ball joint may be reused as long as it operates smoothly and is not loose.

Fig. 13 Measuring Slide Resistance Of Power Cylinder:

7. Inspect power cylinder slide resistance as follows:
a. Place piston in neutral position.
b. Wrap wire around tie rod end, then measure slide resistance using a suitable spring scale.
c. If slide resistance is more than 15 lbs., replace the power cylinder.
d. If resistance is less than 15 lbs., the power cylinder may be reused as long as it slides smoothly and is not loose.
8. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Secure power cylinder to crossmember.
b. Move power cylinder piston rod over its full stroke to determine its neutral position.
c. Align tie rod ends and installation holes at trailing arm.
d. When tie rod ends and the installation holes on the trailing arm do not meet, loosen tie rod end securing nut, then adjust the length.
NOTE: The dust cover fastener clip should be removed for this.
e. The difference between lengths of left and right tie rods should be less than 0.039 inch.
NOTE: The threads of the tie rod ends may be used as a guide for this.
f. Bleed the Steering system, refer to Steering and Suspension/Steering/Power Steering Pump/Service and Repair.