600 L4-135 2.2L SOHC (1983)
Steering Rack: Service and Repair
Steering Gear Replacement
Manual Steering Gear Replacement
The steering gear cannot be adjusted or repaired. If a malfunction occurs, the entire rack and pinion assembly must be replaced. If bellows
seal is leaking or damaged, remove gear from vehicle. Drain, clean and relube gear with 1-4 pt. of MS-564490 hypoid oil. Replace damaged
or leaking bellows.
Power Steering Gear Replacement
1. Raise and support vehicle, then remove front wheels.
2. Remove tie rod ends with a suitable puller.
3. On all models except Omni, Horizon, Charger and Turismo, remove steering column as follows:
a. Disconnect battery ground cable.
b. On column shift vehicles, disconnect cable rod by prying rod out of grommet in shift lever.
c. Disconnect all wiring connectors at steering column jacket and remove steering wheel center pad.
d. Disconnect horn wires and horn switch, then pull steering wheel from column.
e. Expose steering column bracket, remove instrument panel steering column cover and lower reinforcement. Remove bezel.
f.
Remove indicator setscrew and shaft indicator pointer from shift housing.
g. Remove nuts attaching steering column bracket to instrument panel support, then lower the bracket support to floor. Do not remove roll pin
to remove steering column assembly.
h. Pull steering column rearward, and disconnect lower shaft from coupling.
i.
Reinstall anti-rattle clips into lower coupling tube slot.
j.
Remove column assembly out through passenger compartment, being careful not to damage paint or trim.
k. Cut plastic grommets from shift levers and install new grommets from rod side of lever using pliers and a backup washer. Apply grease to
grommets.
4. On Omni, Horizon, Charger and Turismo, drive out lower roll pin attaching pinion shaft to lower universal joint.
5. On all models except Omni, Horizon, Charger and Turismo, support the front suspension crossmember with a suitable jack, then remove bolts
attaching steering gear to front crossmember. Lower crossmember from vehicle frame.
6. On Omni, Horizon, Charger and Turismo, remove 2 rear crossmember nuts and loosen 2 front bolts, then lower crossmember slightly to gain
access to boot seal shields.
7. Remove splash shields and boot seal shields.
8. On power steering units, disconnect hoses from steering gear.
9. Disconnect tie rod ends from steering knuckles.
10. Remove gear to front suspension crossmember attaching bolts, then the gear from left side of engine.
11. Reverse procedure to install. On all models except Omni, Horizon, Charger and Turismo, reinstall steering column as follows:
a. Align and insert lower stub shaft into coupling, raise column into position and loosely install bracket nuts. Pull column assembly rearward
and torque nuts to 105 inch lbs.
b. With needle nose pliers, pull coupling spring upward until it touches the universal flange.
c. Snap gearshift rods into grommets.
d. Readjust gearshift linkage as necessary.
e. Install steering wheel and torque nut to 45 ft. lbs.
f.
Install horn switch and horn switch wire.
g. Connect all wiring connectors at steering column jacket and install steering wheel pad.
h. Connect battery ground cable and test operation of lights and horn.
i.
On column shift vehicles, connect gearshift indicator pointer to its approximate original location. Slowly move gear shift lever from 1 (low)
to park, pausing briefly at each position. The indicator pointer must align with each selector position. If necessary, loosen and readjust pointer
correctly.
j.
Install instrument panel steering column cover.
