FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Page F-11
Repair and Service Manual
Read all of Section B and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Dangers and Warnings.
The distance to center of tie rod ball joint from jam nut on both
ends of threaded tube should be the same.
Install rubber boot (11) and attach tie rod to spindle. The
castellated nut (10) should be tightened to a minimum
of 36 ft. lbs. (50 Nm) torque and continue tightening as
required in order to insert a new cotter pin. Maximum
torque is 50 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).
Install front wheel(s) per WHEELS AND TIRES section
and lower vehicle per SAFETY section.
A worn tie rod is likely to have caused incorrect wheel
alignment. Check front wheel alignment and adjust if
necessary. “Wheel Alignment” on Page F-3.
Jam nut should be tightened to 36 - 40 ft. lbs. (49 - 54
Nm) torque.
Bellows Replacement
Tool List
Qty. Required
Needle nose pliers....................................................... 1
Wrench, 11/16" ............................................................ 1
Ball joint separator....................................................... 1
Plastic faced hammer.................................................. 1
Tape measure.............................................................. 1
Wrench, 3/4"................................................................ 1
Wire cutters ................................................................. 1
Wire tie, 8" long ........................................................... 1
Torque wrench, 1/2" drive, ft. lbs. ................................ 1
Socket, 11/16", 1/2" drive ............................................ 1
To replace bellows (1) (Ref. Fig. 14 on Page F-11), first
loosen passenger side front wheel and lift and support
front of vehicle per SAFETY section.
Fig. 14 Bellows Replacement
Remove passenger side front wheel and turn steering
wheel fully to the left.
Remove rack ball joint (2) and jam nut (3) from rack
extension (4). “Rack Ball Joint Replacement” on Page F-
9.
Cut wire ties (5,6) and slide bellows off rack extension.
Install new bellows aligning small end over groove in
rack extension and secure with new wire tie (5). Leave
large end loose until rack extension-to-rack and pinion
unit clearance is checked or adjusted.
Install jam nut (3) and rack ball joint (2) on rack exten-
sion (4) and reattach to spindle arm. “Rack Ball Joint
Replacement” on Page F-9.
After replacing or servicing steering components, always
verify that an 1/8" gap exists between large hex of rack
extension and rack and pinion unit when steering is
turned fully to the right forcing passenger spindle arm
against front axle.
Check for proper rack extension-to-rack and pinion unit
clearance before tightening jam nut (3) to 35 - 45 ft. lbs.
(47 - 61 Nm) torque. “Checking/Adjusting Rack Exten-
sion-to-Rack and Pinion Unit Clearance” on Page F-14.
Install passenger side front wheel per WHEELS AND
TIRES section and lower vehicle per SAFETY section.
Check front wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
“Wheel Alignment” on Page F-3.
Pinion Seal Replacement
Tool List
Qty. Required
Vice..............................................................................1
Straight blade screwdriver, small .................................1
Ball peen hammer........................................................1
Sandpaper, 600 grit ..................................................AR
Shop towel ................................................................AR
Wheel bearing grease...............................................AR
Socket, 1 1/2", 1/2" drive .............................................1
Secure rack and pinion unit in vice by the mounting
ears only. The rack and pinion unit is made of alumi-
num and can be damaged if held otherwise.
To access the pinion seal, remove rack and pinion unit
from vehicle. “Rack and Pinion Unit Replacement” on
Page F-14. Anchor in vice by clamping on the mounting
ears of the rack and pinion unit.
Slide a small straight blade screwdriver between lip of
seal and pinion and pry top portion of seal up to remove
(Ref. Fig. 15 on Page F-12).
Use screwdriver to lift inner portion of seal up and off
pinion.
NOTICE
5
1
3
4
2
Grooves
6
