Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Steering Gear

Special Tool(s):

Special Tool(s)

Removal

CAUTION: While servicing the power steering system, make sure to plug all open hoses, line fittings, and fluid ports to prevent the entry of contaminants or premature failure of the power steering components can result.

All vehicles
1. Place front wheels in the straight-ahead position and the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove the power steering fluid cooler.





4.6L vehicles
4. Remove the bolts and the shield.





All vehicles
5. Loosen the outer tie-rod end jam nuts.





6. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nuts.

7. CAUTION: Do not damage the tie rod end dust boot when installing the special tool.





Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
^ Remove the tie-rods, counting the turns for reference during installation.

8. CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring can occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.





Remove the bolt and disconnect the intermediate shaft from the gear.
^ Discard the bolt.





9. Remove the nut and disconnect the lines from the gear.
^ Drain the fluid into a suitable container.
^ Remove and discard the O-ring seals.





10. Remove the nuts and bolts.
^ Discard the nuts.





4x4 vehicles
11. Remove the nut and the LH stabilizer bar link.
^ Discard the nut.





12. Remove the LH shock absorber lower mounting bolt and flag nut.
^ Discard the flag nut.





13. Remove the LH lower arm rearward mounting nuts.
^ Discard the nuts.





14. Remove the LH lower arm forward mounting nut and flag bolt.
^ Discard the nut.





All vehicles
15. Remove the bolts and the bracket.





16. Remove the steering gear.

Installation





All vehicles
1. Position the gear, and install the bracket and bolts.





2. Install the bolts and nuts.

4x4 vehicles

3. CAUTION: Do not tighten the lower arm inboard mounting nuts until the installation procedure is complete and the vehicle is at curb ride height. Make sure to tighten the forward flag bolt and nut before tightening the rearward nuts.





Install the flag bolt and the nut.
^ Snug the nut.





4. Install the nuts.
^ Snug the nuts.





5. Install the bolt and the flag nut.





6. Install the stabilizer bar link and tighten the nut.





All vehicles
7. Connect the lines to the gear and tighten the nut.

8. CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring can occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.





Connect the intermediate shaft to the gear and tighten the bolt.





4.6L vehicles
9. Install the shield and the bolts.





All vehicles
10. Install the outer tie-rods, nuts and the cotter pins.





11. Tighten the tie-rod jam nuts.
12. Install the power steering fluid cooler.
13. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
14. Fill, purge and leak test the system.
15. Check and, if necessary, align the front end.