Disassembly Procedure
- Remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
- Remove the 2 steering gear boots.
- Place the steering gear in a vise.
- Slide the left shock dampener (4) from the left inner tie rod housing (6) to the rack (5).
- Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing.
- Place a wrench on the flats of the left inner tie rod housing.
- Rotate the left inner tie rod housing counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the left inner tie rod separates from the rack.
- Slide the right shock dampener (3) from the right inner tie rod housing (2) to the rack (5).
- Place a pipe wrench on the left side of the rack.
- Place a wrench on the flats of the right inner tie rod housing.
- Rotate the right inner tie rod housing counterclockwise, while holding the rack stationary, until the right inner tie rod (1) separates from the rack.
- If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (3), remove the old LOCTITE® from the threads (2) on the inner tie rod and from the threads on the rack.
If the steering gear has a male rack (5) and a female inner tie rod (4), LOCTITE® will not be present.
NOTE:
After removing the boots, inspect the inner tie rod for evidence of corrosion or contamination. If none is evident, continue with the repair. If corrosion or contamination is evident, replace the steering gear.
CAUTION:
Do not change the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod from the steering gear. Changing the steering gear preload adjustment before moving the inner tie rod could result in damage to the pinion and the steering gear.
CAUTION:
The pipe wrench must be placed at the valve end of the steering gear and positioned up against the inner tie rod housing. Placing the pipe wrench in any other location will cause damage to the steering gear.