Worm Thrust Bearing Preload

Important: Any steering gear adjustment is made only as a correction and not as a periodic adjustment.

For proper adjustment, remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Drain the power steering fluid from the gear. Mount the gear in a vise and make the following adjustments.

The steering gear requires two adjustments:
^ The worm thrust bearing preload
^ The pitman shaft over-center preload adjustment

The worm thrust bearing preload is controlled by the amount of compression force exerted by the adjuster nut assembly on the flat races.

The pitman shaft over-center preload is controlled by the pitman shaft adjuster screw, which determines the clearance between the rack piston and the pitman shaft sector teeth.

Important: Adjust the worm thrust bearing preload first, then adjust the pitman shaft over-center preload.

WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENTS

708 Power Steering Gear - Legend - Part 2 Of 2:

^ Tool Required:
- J 42882 Adjuster Nut Socket

1. Remove steering gear from vehicle.
2. Rotate stub shaft (40) back and forth to drain power steering fluid.





3. Remove coupling shield retainer and lock nut (48) from housing (20).

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

4. Turn adjuster nut assembly (65) in (clockwise) using J 42882 until adjuster nut assembly (65) and thrust support assembly (49) are firmly bottomed in housing (20).

Tighten
^ Adjuster nut assembly (65) to 28-31 Nm (20-23 ft. lbs.)





5. Place an index mark on housing (20) even with one of the holes in the adjuster nut assembly (65).





6. Measure back counterclockwise 13 mm (1/2 inch) and place a second mark on housing (20).

Aligning The Adjuster Nut Assembly To The Second Mark:

7. Using J 42882 and a torque wrench, turn adjuster nut assembly (65) counterclockwise 15-25 degrees until hole in adjuster nut assembly (65) is aligned with the second mark on the housing (20).
8. Install coupling shield retainer and lock nut (48).

Tighten
^ Coupling shield retainer and lock nut (48) to 109 Nm (80 ft. lbs.) using a drift in a notch.
^ Hold adjuster nut assembly (65) while tightening the coupling shield retainer and lock nut (48) to maintain alignment of the marks.

9. Install steering gear.