Assembly Procedure

Fig 1: Identifying Tie Rod Male & Female Ends

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: The threads must be clean prior to LOCTITE® application. Inspect the LOCTITE®, or equivalent, container for the expiration date. Use only enough LOCTITE® to evenly coat the threads.
If the steering gear has a male rack (5) and a female inner tie rod (4), do not apply LOCTITE®.

If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (3), apply LOCTITE® 262, or equivalent, to the threads (2) on the left inner tie rod.

Fig 2: Connecting Inner Tie Rod To Rack

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Install the left inner tie rod to the rack (3).
Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing (2).

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

Place a torque wrench and the J-34028: wrench on the flats of the left inner tie rod housing. Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).

Fig 3: Illustrating Tightening Of Inner Tie Rod To Rack

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

If the steering gear has a female rack (5) and a male inner tie rod (1), apply LOCTITE® 262, or equivalent, to the threads on the right inner tie rod.
Install the right inner tie rod to the rack.
Place a pipe wrench on the rack next to the left inner tie rod housing (4).
Place a torque wrench and the J-34028: wrench on the flats of the steering linkage inner tie rod housing (7). Tighten the inner tie rod to 100 N.m (74 lb ft).

Fig 4: Staking Both Sides Of Female Inner Tie Rod Assembly Housing To The Male Rack

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Place each inner tie rod assembly (2) on a vise.

NOTE: If the steering gear has a female rack (1) and a male inner tie rod (2), do not stake. If the steering gear has a male rack and a female inner tie rod, you must stake.

Stake both sides of the 2 female inner tie rod housings to the male rack.

Fig 5: Inserting Gage Between Rack & Inner Tie Rod Housing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Insert a 0.25 mm gage (1) between the rack (2) and the inner tie rod housing in order to inspect the 4 stakes. The feeler gage must not pass between the rack and the inner tie rod housing stake.

Fig 6: Identifying Shock Dampener & Inner Tie Rod Housing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Slide the left shock dampener (2) over the left inner tie rod housing (3) until the front lip of the left shock dampener bottoms against the left inner tie rod housing.
Slide the right shock dampener over the right inner tie rod housing until the front lip of the right shock dampener bottoms against the right inner tie rod housing.
Install the 2 steering gear boots.
Install the steering gear to the vehicle. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .