Express 1/2 Ton Van V8-305 5.0L VIN M SFI (1998)
Steering Gear: Adjustments
Worm Thrust Bearing Preload
Important: Any steering gear adjustment is made only as a correction and not as a periodic adjustment.
For proper adjustment, remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Drain the power steering fluid from the gear. Mount the gear in a vise and make the
following adjustments.
The steering gear requires two adjustments:
^
The worm thrust bearing preload
^
The pitman shaft over-center preload adjustment
The worm thrust bearing preload is controlled by the amount of compression force exerted by the adjuster nut assembly on the flat races.
The pitman shaft over-center preload is controlled by the pitman shaft adjuster screw, which determines the clearance between the rack piston and the
pitman shaft sector teeth.
Important: Adjust the worm thrust bearing preload first, then adjust the pitman shaft over-center preload.
WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENTS