Steering Gear

PROCEDURE

Steering Gear 1 – nut; 2 – left tie rod; 3 – rubber bushing; 4 – inner ball joint; 5 – clamp; 6 – dust boot; 7 – lock nut; 8 – toothed rack; 9 – bolt; 10 – suspension crossmember; 11 – steering gear assembly; 12 – seat for steering gear mounting bracket; 13 – right tie rod; 14 – lock nut; 15 – outer ball joint; 16 – right tie rod end; 17 – rubber mount; 18 – bracket; 19 – nut; 20 – bolt; 21 – nut; 22 – universal joint shaft; 23 – dust boot; 24 – steering gear housing flange; 25 – bolt; I – distance “a” for installing the inner ball joint

Removal Warning The steering gear is not repairable and must be replaced if damaged. PROCEDURE 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Place chocks under the rear wheels. 3. Loosen the wheel bolts. 4. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on stands. 5. Remove the wheels. 6. Disconnect tie rods 2 and 13 from the steering knuckle arm. 7. Disconnect dust boot 23 and slide it upward. 8. Remove bolt 25. 9. Remove nuts 19 from brackets 18. 10. Remove brackets 18. 11. Remove steering gear assembly 11 through the opening in the left fender apron. Warning If difficulty is encountered removing the steering gear, disconnect the steering column and raise it so the universal joint can be removed from the splines of the rack drive shaft. Installation Warning Always replace self-locking nuts with new ones. PROCEDURE 1. Install steering gear assembly 11. 2. Position toothed rack 8 so that both ends protrude an equal length (vehicle travelling straight ahead). 3. Install the steering wheel so that the spokes are horizontal. 4. Install the universal joint onto the splines of the rack drive shaft and start bolt 25. 5. Align rubber mounts 17 and install brackets 18 onto bolts 9. 6. Tighten nuts 19 evenly in a diagonal sequence to torque 30 N·m. 7. Connect tie rods 2 and 13 to the steering knuckle arms. 8. Tighten all nuts and bolts after the vehicle is lowered to the ground. 9. Install dust boot 23. 10. Adjust wheel alignment (toe).