Steering Gear: Adjustments

Steering Gear Adjustments

Make steering gear adjustments only as corrections and not as periodic adjustments. Before you make any adjustments, refer to the appropriate diagnostic table. Do not adjust the steering gear in the vehicle.
Adjust the worm thrust bearing preload. Then adjust the pitman shaft over-center preload.

Rack Bearing Preload

Adjustment Procedure

1. Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (1).




2. Turn the adjuster plug clockwise until the adjuster plug bottoms in the gear assembly.
3. Turn the adjuster plug back 50 degrees to 70 degrees (approximately one flat).
4. Install the adjuster plug lock nut (1) to the adjuster plug.
Tighten
Hold the adjuster plug stationary while tightening the adjuster plug lock nut (1) 68 N.m (50 lb ft).

Worm Thrust Bearing Preload Adjustment

Tools Required

- J 42882 Adjuster Nut Socket




1. Rotate the stub shaft (3) back and forth to drain the power steering fluid.
2. Remove the coupling shield retainer and the lock nut (2) from the steering gear housing (1) using a drift and a hammer.




3. Turn the adjuster nut assembly (1 )clockwise using J 42882 until the adjuster nut assembly (1) and the thrust support assembly (2)are firmly bottomed in the steering gear housing (3).
Tighten
Tighten the adjuster nut assembly (1) to 28 - 31 N.m(20 - 23 lb ft).




4. Place an index mark (1) on the steering gear housing (4) parallel with one of the holes (3)in the adjuster nut assembly (2).




5. Measure back counterclockwise 13 mm(1/2 inch).
6. Place a second mark (2) on the steering gear housing (1).




7. Using J 42882 and a torque wrench, turn the adjuster nut assembly (1) counterclockwise 15-25 degrees to align the hole (2) in the adjuster nut assembly (1) with the second mark (4) on the steering gear housing (3).




8. Install the coupling shield retainer and the lock nut (2).
9. Hold the adjuster nut assembly in position to maintain alignment of the marks.
10. Tighten the coupling shield retainer and the lock nut (2) using a drift in a notch.
Tighten
Tighten the coupling shield retainer and the lock nut (2) to 109 N.m (80 lb ft).


Pitman Shaft Over-Center Preload Adjustment

1. Rotate the stub shaft (3) back and forth to drain the power steering fluid.




2. Loosen the adjuster lock nut (4).
3. Turn the pitman shaft adjuster screw (1) counterclockwise until the screw is fully extended.
4. Turn the pitman shaft adjuster screw (1) clockwise 1 full turn.
5. Rotate the stub shaft (3) from stop to stop using a 12-point socket while counting the number of turns.
6. Starting at either stop, turn the stub shaft (3) back half of the total number of turns. This is the center of the gear.




7. Make sure that the gear is centered by checking the following items:
- The flat on the stub shaft (3) faces upward.
- The flat on the stub shaft (3) is parallel with the side cover (2).
8. Align the master spline (5) on the pitman shaft (4)with the adjuster screw (1).




9. Place a torque wrench on the stub shaft (2)with the handle in the vertical position.
10. Rotate the stub shaft (2) 45 degrees from each side of the center of the stub shaft. The stub shaft (2) must rotate smoothly.
11. Record the worm bearing preload measured on or near the center (1 ).The recorded bearing preload must be 0.7-1.7 N.m (6-15 lb in) with the worm and the ball nut installed. If the torque is outside of this range, readjust or repair the steering gear assembly as required.
12. To obtain the correct preload torque,adjust the over-center torque by turning the pitman shaft adjuster screw clockwise.
13. Add 0.7-1.1 N.m (6-10 lb in) torque to the previously measured worm bearing preload torque.
Tighten
Tighten the adjuster lock nut to 49 N.m (36 lb ft).Prevent the adjuster screw from turning while tightening the adjuster locknut.