D50/Ram 50 L4-2555cc 2.6L SOHC (1984)
2. Check ball nut and mainshaft for smooth operation. If operation is not smooth or excessive freeplay is indicated, replace mainshaft and ball nut as
an assembly.
3. Check to ensure that hole in breather plug is not clogged. A needle may be used to clear breather plug passage.
Assembly & Adjustment
1. Apply grease to mainshaft and cross shaft oil seal lips, then install seals on steering gear housing.
2. Position steering gear housing in soft jawed vise, then position mainshaft into housing.
3. Install gasket, mainshaft shims (same as removed) and end cover onto steering gear housing. Torque end cover attaching bolts to 11-14 ft. lbs.
Apply suitable sealer to end cover gasket and cover attaching bolts.
4. Using an inch pound torque wrench and tool No. CT1108, check mainshaft preload. Mainshaft preload should be 3-4.8 inch pounds. If preload is
less than specified, remove adjusting shims to increase preload. If preload is more than specified, add shims to reduce preload. Adjusting shims are
available in thickness from 0.002-0.020 inch.
5. Install adjusting bolt and spacer into groove on upper end of cross shaft. Use spacers to adjust axial play to 0-.002 inch. Spacers are available in
thickness of 0.077-0.083 inch.
6. Carefully insert cross shaft into gear housing, meshing ball nut rack with cross shaft gear. Before installing, apply a small amount of gear oil to ball
nut, cross shaft and cross shaft gear. Also apply a small amount of grease to cross shaft seal before installing cross shaft.
7. Apply suitable sealer to upper cover attaching bolts, except the breather plug, then install upper cover and torque attaching bolts to 11-14 ft. lbs.
8. Align marks on Pitman arm and mainshaft, then install Pitman arm and tighten retaining nut.
9. Measure steering gear backlash as follows:
a. Insert a small amount of gear oil into steering gear through breather plug.
b. Tighten adjusting bolt until it contacts gear teeth.
c. Cycle Pitman arm left and right several times to mesh gear teeth.
Fig. 2 Steering gear backlash measurement. Manual steering gear, except rack & pinion
d. Position dial indicator to end of Pitman arm and measure gear backlash, with gear placed in the straight ahead position.
e. The service limit for steering gear backlash is 0.020 inch.
f.
Loosen adjusting bolt to increase steering gear backlash. Tighten to decrease backlash.
10. After completing assembly, measure mainshaft preload. Mainshaft preload should be 5.6-7.4 inch pounds. If not within specifications, check cross
shaft, cross shaft bearing and end cover for proper installation. Also check adjusting bolt for improper adjustment.
11. Fill steering gear housing with 0.19 quarts of gear oil.
