Steering Gear: Service and Repair

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove stabilizer by disconnecting stabilizer mounts on control arms and stabilizer suspension on side members.
3. Disconnect ground wire on front axle crossmember.
4. Using tool No. 9183, or equivalent and torque wrench, loosen but do not remove tie rods at steering rack, then run rack out of steering gear case on disconnecting side only as far as necessary.
5. Disconnect pressure line on power steering pump, catching hydraulic fluid draining out of pump or tank and power steering gear. Position pressure line connection lower than steering and turn steering wheel from stop to stop several times.
6. Remove bolt on universal joint, then loosen but do not remove four steering gear attaching bolts until shaft can be removed from steering pinion. Unscrew pressure line clamp on steering gear to gain access to left lower attaching bolt.
7. Press out tie rods (ball joints) with suitable puller.
8. Disconnect return line at steering gear.
9. Remove four steering gear attaching bolts and remove steering gear toward front of vehicle.
10. If installing new steering gear, mount rubber inserts and clamps in correct position before installing steering gear in vehicle. To facilitate mounting of rubber inserts and clamps, use suitable lubricant that will not deteriorate rubber parts.
11. Connect pressure line to steering gear, torquing to 14 ft. lbs.
12. Coat ends of fully extended rack with suitable grease.
13. With steering wheel and steering gear in centered position, slide shaft onto steering gear in correct position. Steering gear attaching bolts should be screwed in only lightly to facilitate installation.
14. Attach steering gear.
15. Install tie rods on rack. Be careful not to damage surface of rack.
16. After completing installation, fill system with suitable fluid, bleed steering system, check for leaks, and test operation.
17. Adjust toe, if necessary.