Disassembly and Assembly

Special Tools:

Disassembly

Note: The steering gear is serviced as a long rack assembly. Only the front wheel spindle tie-rods and front suspension steering ball stud dust seals can be serviced separately.





1. Install the steering gear into the special tools.
2. Clean the exterior of the steering gear with solvent. If necessary, drain any excess power steering fluid.
3. Inspect the steering gear housing for cracks and other damage. If necessary, install a new steering gear.
4. Verify the power steering gear input shaft bearing rotates freely. If necessary, install a new steering gear.





5. Place an alignment mark on the tie-rod ends, nuts and front wheel spindle tie-rods. Remove the tie-rod ends and nuts.

6. CAUTION: Use care not to damage the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals. If the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals are damaged, this will allow contamination into the steering gear and cause leakage.





Remove the clamps and the two front suspension steering ball stud dust seals.
^ Discard any clamps that are damaged or excessively corroded.
^ Discard any front suspension steering ball stud dust seals that are damaged.

7. CAUTION: Place the steering gear at the center position. Use an adjustable wrench on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and prevent damage to the steering gear during removal and installation of the front wheel spindle tie-rods.





Place the steering gear at the center position. Using a suitable open end wrench and an adjustable wrench, remove the front wheel spindle tie-rods.
8. Remove the steering gear from the special tools.

Assembly
1. Install the steering gear in the special tools.

2. CAUTION: Place the steering gear at the center position. Use an adjustable wrench on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and prevent damage to the steering gear during removal and installation of the front wheel spindle tie rods.





Place the steering gear at the center position. Using a suitable crowsfoot and adjustable wrench, install the front wheel spindle tie-rods.
3. Thoroughly clean the steering gear of any foreign material.

4. CAUTION: Use care not to damage the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals. If the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals are damaged, this will allow contamination into the steering gear and cause leakage.











Install the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals and clamps.
^ Position the front suspension steering ball stud seals and steering gear rack tubes as shown.
^ Install new front suspension steering ball stud dust seals and clamps as necessary.
^ To prevent the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals from twisting during toe adjustment, apply Steering Gear Grease C3AZ-19578-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M1C87-A to the groove in the front wheel spindle tie-rods and uniformly to the inner-diameter of the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals.





5. Install the nuts and tie-rods. Align the marks.
^ Apply Silicone Dielectric Compound D7AZ-19A331-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M1C171-A to the front wheel spindle tie-rod threads.
6. Remove the steering gear from the special tools.