Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Special Tools

Removal
1. Place front wheels in the straight ahead position. Do not lock the steering column.

2. WARNING: The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning off the air suspension switch located in the rear jack storage area. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs, which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.

Raise the vehicle.
3. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.






4. Disconnect the power steering return line hone at the power steering fluid cooler.
^ Drain the fluid into a suitable container.






5. Remove the power steering fluid cooler to crossmember nuts.






6. Disconnect the power steering return hose. Remove the power steering fluid cooler.






7. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nut.






8. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nut.






CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod boot when installing the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool.






9. Remove the tie-rod end.
^ Count and record the number of turns required to remove the tie-rod end.






10. Remove the front stabilizer bar link nuts from the front suspension lower arms.
^ Mark the driver side end of the stabilizer bar for correct installation.






11. Remove the front stabilizer bar link bolts and front Syabilizer bar links.






12. Remove the power steering cooler to crossmember nuts.






13. Remove the front stabilizer bar.
1. Remove the bolts and brackets.
2. Remove the front stabilizer bar.
3. Remove the stabilizer bar insulator.






14. Remove the power steering fluid cooler.
1 Separate the power steering fluid return hose from the power steering fluid cooler.
^ Allow the system to drain.
2 Disconnect the power steering return line hose.
3 Remove the power steering fluid cooler.






15. Disconnect the lines at the gear.
1 Disconnect the power steering pressure hose.
2 Disconnect the power steering return hose.
16. Plug ends of fluid lines and ports in steering gear to prevent damage and entry of dirt.

CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring can result. lf there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Service and Repair






17. Rotate the steering column shaft to access the intermediate shaft pinch bolt. Remove the pinch bolt.
16. Lower the vehicle.
18. Turn the steering wheel back to the straight ahead position. Turn the ignition key to the locked position.
19. Raise the vehicle.

20. CAUTION: Do not rotate the steering wheel when the lower steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the air bag sliding contact will result.

Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear input shaft.






21. CAUTION: Hold the tops of the steering gear to crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes.

Remove the nuts.






22. Remove the stud bolts and washers.






23. Remove the steering gear to crossmember insulator bushings.






24. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the front of the vehicle.
25. Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached.






26. Move the steering gear as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible.






27. Move the LH front wheel spindle tie-rod forward to clear the frame crossmember.






28. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

Installation






1. Using the special tool, install new seals on the power steering return hose and power steering pressure hose.

2. Note: Make sure the steering gear input shaft is turned to the left until the stop is reached.

Note: Handle the steering gear with caution to avoid damage to the fluid transfer tubes and to avoid dimples in the tie-rod boots.

Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached. Note the number of turns.





3. Note: Make sure the steering gear control valve housing is turned toward the front of the vehicle.

Install the steering gear into the RH opening of the crossmember.





4. Move the steering gear as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible.





5. Move the LH front wheel spindle tie-rod into the opening in the crossmember and move the steering gear into position.
6. To place the steering gear in the straight ahead position, turn the steering gear input shaft to the left by half the number of turns recorded previously.





7. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the rear of the vehicle.





8. Install the steering gear to crossmember insulator bushings as shown.
^ The large end of the metal sleeve must be positioned downward.
^ Check that the mounting surfaces on the crossmember are clean and free of debris.





9. Install the steering gear to crossmember washers and stud bolts.
^ The dished side of the washers face down.





10. CAUTION: Hold the tops of the steering gear to crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes.

Install the nuts.





11. CAUTION: Do not rotate the steering wheel when the lower steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the air bag sliding contact will result.

Connect the intermediate shaft to the steering gear input shaft. Install the pinch bolt.





12. Install the steering gear fluid lines.
1 Install the power steering return hose and then tighten tube nut.
2 Install the power steering pressure hose and tighten the tube nut.





13. Install the power steering fluid cooler.
1 Connect the power steering return line hose.
2 Connect the power steering return hose.
3 Position the power steering fluid cooler and install the nuts.
14. Install the front stabilizer bar.
^ Orientate the front stabilizer bar as noted during removal.





15. Install the LH tie-rod end on the front wheel spindle tie-rod.
^ Rotate the tie-rod end the number of turns recorded during removal.





16. Connect the tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles.
1 Position the tie-rod ends on the steering knuckles.
2 Install the castellated nuts.
3 Install the new cotter pins.
^ Check that the brake dust shields are not bent and are not in contact with the outer tie-rod boot seals.





17. Tighten the tie-rod jam nuts.





18. Install the radiator air deflector.
1 Position the radiator air deflector.
2 Install the bolts.
19. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies.

20. Note: If equipped with air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch.

Lower the vehicle.
21. Fill and leak check the power steering system.
22. Check the wheel alignment.