Regal V6-3.8L VIN K (1997)
Steering Gear: All Technical Service Bulletins
97-98 Regal, 98 Intrigue
Lower Pinion Bearing Inspection -- 1997-1998 Buick Regal, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
The following service procedure is for inspection of the lower pinion bearing and can be performed without completely removing the steering gear
from the vehicle.
Tools Required
^
J 44714-B Pinion Bearing Remover
^
J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
1.
Open the hood.
2.
Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support.
Important
When removing the dust cap in the next step, watch for loose ball bearings that may have separated from the inner and outer pinion hearing
races.
3.
Remove the dust cap (3) from the steering gear housing (2) and inspect for loose ball bearings. Refer to Figure 1.
^
If no ball bearings were found in the dust cap, proceed to the next step and replace the lower pinion bearing.
^
If one or more ball bearings were found loose in the dust cap, proceed to the section in this bulletin titled, "Steering Gear Replacement", for
the described vehicles.
4.
Support the rear of the engine frame (cradle) and remove the two rear attaching bolts.
5.
Remove the left and right side stabilizer bar links from the lower control arms.
6.
Reposition the stabilizer bar as necessary to improve access to the steering gear.
7.
Remove the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
8.
Remove the bolt and separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
9.
Lower the rear of the engine cradle as necessary to access the steering gear.
10.
Remove the steering gear from the engine cradle mounting brackets and reposition to access the adjuster plug lock nut and the adjuster plug. Do
not remove the plug.
11.
Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (3) and the adjuster plug (2). Refer to Figure 2. Do not remove the plug.
Important
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
12.
While holding the stub shaft (1), remove the retaining nut (4) from the pinion shaft. Refer to Figure 1. Do not reuse the nut.
13.
Remove the lower retaining snap ring (1). Refer to Figure 3.
Important
Placement of a block of wood between the steering gear housing and the transmission case will help to support the steering gear in the next
step.
Important
The bearing retainer being removed in the next step is a small piece of wire that keeps all of the ball bearings evenly spaced inside the the
bearing races.
14.
Using a small "pick" like too, remove the bearing retainer from the bearing. Refer to Figure 4.
15.
After removing the bearing retainer, reposition the ball bearings into two groups of four. Refer to Figure 5.
16.
Separate the 2-legged puller from the center nut on the J 44714-B, Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller, and insert the puller legs into the
