Diplomat V8-318 5.2L VIN K 2-bbl (1982)
Fig. 14 Steering gear disassembled
Position piston assembly on bench with worm shaft up. Slide cylinder head (ferrule up) on worm shaft and against piston flange, making sure gap on
worm shaft ring is closed to avoid breaking ring. Lubricate and install in the following order:
1. Lower thrust bearing race (thick).
2. Lower thrust bearing.
3. Lower reaction spring over ferrule.
4. Lower reaction ring with flange up so that ring protrudes through reaction spring.
5. Center bearing race, indexing control hole with hole in center bearing race.
6. Install upper thrust bearing, upper thrust bearing race (thin) and new worm shaft thrust bearing nut.
7. Tighten nut as follows: Turn worm shaft clockwise 1-2 turn and hold shaft in this position while tightening nut to 50 ft. lb. torque. If worm shaft
is turned more than 1-2 turn cylinder head seal will clear oil ring on worm shaft.
8. Always check position of worm shaft oil ring before bottoming cylinder head against worm piston shoulder to avoid damaging oil ring.
9. Loosen worm bearing adjusting nut.
Fig. 15 Checking wormshaft bearing preload
10. Retighten worm bearing adjusting nut to give a bearing torque of 16 to 24 oz. Check by placing rounds of cord around center bearing race. Make a
loop in one end and hook the loop of a spring scale in the cord loop. Pulling on cord will cause bearing race to rotate.
11. If adjusting nut is tightened properly, reading on scale will be 16 to 24 oz. Stake flange of adjusting nut into depression in worm shaft to lock
securely.
