Steering Gear: Assembly

Install the check valve to the upper hose port.

CAUTION: To resist rotation and prevent damage to the steering gear during removal of the spindle tie-rods, center the steering gear and position the rack gear in a soft-jawed vice.

Install the inner tie-rods.
- Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
NOTE: Do not tighten the inner bellows clamps at this step.

Position 2 new inner bellows clamps onto the steering gear.
NOTE: Apply Steering Gear Grease C3AZ-19578-A to the steering gear bellows groove on the inner tie-rod.

NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead and the groove in the inner tie-rod.

NOTE: Make sure the steering gear bellows is not twisted and the breather tube, if equipped, is securely inserted into the steering gear bellows.

Install the 2 steering gear bellows.
Using the special tool, install the 2 inner bellows clamps.

Fig 1: Tightening Steering Gear Inner Boot Clamp With Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the 2 outer bellows clamps.
Thread the 2 tie-rod end jam nuts onto the inner tie-rods.
NOTE: Install the tie-rod ends the same number of turns as noted during disassembly.

Install the 2 tie-rod ends.
Tighten the 2 tie-rod end jam nuts against the tie-rod ends.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
Install the steering gear. For additional information, refer to STEERING GEAR .