Dakota 4WD V8-5.2L VIN Y (1998)
Steering Gear: Description and Operation
Recirculating Ball Gear-Typical
Two recirculating ball type gears are used on this vehicle, a standard and Heavy Duty (HD). The gear ratio is the same for both gears 17.5 to 1. The
gears are identified by the letters on a label located on the pitman shaft housing cover next to the adjustment screw. The heavy duty gear is identified as a
BB and the standard as a AC.
The gear acts as a rolling thread between the worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is supported by a thrust bearing at the lower end and a bearing
assembly at the upper end. When the worm shaft is turned the rack piston moves. The rack piston teeth mesh with the pitman shaft. Turning the worm
shaft turns the pitman shaft, which turns the steering linkage.
CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be first torqued to specification. If the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter
pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.
