Steering Rack Sliding Force Adjustment

Figure 5:

1. Use Kent-Moore tool # J43995 to loosen the sliding force adjusting screw lock nut (see Figure 5).

Figure 6:

2. Use Kent-Moore tool # J43996 to turn the sliding force adjusting screw clockwise 2 to 3 degrees (see Figure 6).

3. Measure the steering rack sliding force by repeating sliding force measurement steps 7C and 7D listed above.

A. If the steering rack sliding force is not within specification, adjust the sliding force screw as necessary and repeat step three to ensure the sliding force is within specification. Then proceed with step 4.

B. If the steering rack sliding force is within specification, proceed with step 4.

4. Use Kent-Moore tool # J43995 to tighten the sliding force adjusting screw lock nut to 45-64 Nm (4.7-6.5 kg-m, 33-47 ft-lb).

NOTE: When tightening the sliding force adjusting screw lock nut, hold the adjusting screw to make sure it does not turn.

5. Repeat force measurement steps 7C and 7D to ensure the sliding force readings did not change when the lock nut was tightened. Re-adjust the sliding force if needed.

6. Re-connect the transfer gearbox lower joint to the rack and pinion assembly.

NOTE: Make sure the steering wheel is centered and the "matching mark" on the rack and pinion, the "protrusion" on the rubber cap and the "aligning groove" on the transfer gearbox lower joint are all aligned (see Figure 3).

7. Tighten transfer gearbox lower joint bolt to 24 - 29 Nm (2.4 - 3.0 kg-m, 17 - 22 ft-lb).

8. Reinstall the tie rods to the knuckle arms and tighten the tie rod securing nuts to 64 - 108 Nm (6.5 - 11.0 kg-m, 47 - 80 ft-lb). Once tightened, install new cotter pins through the tie rods/securing nuts.

9. Reinstall the wheels and tighten the wheel securing nuts to 118 - 147 Nm (12-15 kg-m, 87 - 108 ft-lb).

10. Re-install the engine under covers.

11. Road test the vehicle to confirm the incident is resolved. Also, while driving the vehicle, verify the steering wheel returns to the neutral (center) position after the steering wheel is released from a slightly turned (approximately 20°) position. If the steering rack sliding force adjusting screw was over tightened, the ability of the steering wheel to return to the center position will be reduced.