Steering Gear: Disassembly
NOTE:
The steering gear is serviced as a long rack assembly. Only the front wheel spindle tie rods and tie-rod bellows can be serviced separately.
- Remove the bolts using a plastic or rubber mallet.
- Mount the steering gear on the special tool.
- Clean the exterior of the steering gear with solvent. If necessary, drain any excess power steering fluid.
- Inspect the steering gear housing for cracks and other damage. If necessary, install a new steering gear.
- Verify the power steering gear input shaft bearing rotates freely. If necessary, install a new steering gear.
- Remove the nuts and the bellows boot outer clamps.
- Discard any clamps that are damaged or excessively corroded.
- Remove and discard the bellows boot inner clamps.
- Remove both inner tie-rod bellows boots and the air tube.
- Remove the inner tie rods.
- If a new steering gear is being installed, remove the gear from the special tool.
CAUTION:
Use care not to damage the tie-rod bellows. Damaged tie-rod bellows will allow contamination into the steering gear and can cause leaks.
CAUTION:
Hold the steering gear rack with an adjustable wrench when removing the inner tie rods to absorb the rotational force. Damage to the steering gear can result.