Tools Required

J 7624 Spanner Wrench

1. Center the front wheels and the steering wheel.
2. Remove the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement in Steering Linkage.
3. Remove the cardan joint clamp bolt.
4. Remove the cardan joint. Slide the intermediate shaft up until the joint clears the steering stub shaft.
5. Loosen the lock nut.
6. Turn the pitman shaft preload adjuster clockwise to relieve the over-center preload and provide clearance between the sector gear and the worm ball nut.

Important: Avoid contaminating the power steering system. Cap open lines and ports in order to prevent dirt and debris from entering the system. Contaminated power steering fluid can cause early parts failure.

7. Disconnect hydraulic hoses at the pump.
8. Cap the hoses to prevent dirt from entering the system.
9. Tag the hydraulic hose locations.
10. Keep the engine off. Turn the stub shaft to the right and the left until the gear stops draining.



11. Place a torque wrench, with a ¾ inch twelve-point socket, on the stub shaft.
12. Move the torque wrench at a constant speed through a 90 degree arc. Record the readings taken 90 degrees from the stop.
13. Repeat steps 11 and 12 several times in order to obtain an average reading.
14. The worm shaft thrust bearing preload should be 0.7-1.3 N·m (6-12 lb in).
15. If you notice a rough or lumpy action. The bearing may be damaged. Remove and repair the steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.
16. If the worm shaft bearing preload is within specifications. Refer to Pitman Shaft Over-Center Preload Adjustment.



17. If adjustment is necessary, loosen the adjuster plug lock nut.
18. Using J 7624 turn the adjuster plug clockwise until the plug and the worm shaft bearing are firmly bottomed at 27 N·m (20 lb ft).



19. Mark the housing in line with one of the adjuster plug holes.



20. Measure 13 mm (½ in) counterclockwise and mark the housing again.



21. Rotate the adjuster plug until the adjuster plug hole is aligned with the second mark.
22. Install the adjuster plug lock nut while holding the adjuster plug to maintain the adjustment

Tighten
Tighten the adjuster plug lock nut to 109 N·m (80 lb ft).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

23. Repeat steps 11 and 12. Repeat steps 7 through 19 if necessary, in order to achieve proper preload. If proper worm shaft bearing preload cannot be achieved, replace the steering gear. Refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement.
24. With the worm shaft bearing properly adjusted, adjust the pitman shaft over-center preload. Refer to Pitman Shaft Over-Center Preload Adjustment.