Ranger 4WD V6-3.0L VIN U (1997)
Steering Shaft: Service and Repair
REMOVAL
1. Remove the bolt securing the intermediate shaft and lower shaft, at the midpoint connection. Collapse the lower shaft. Discard original bolt.
CAUTION: Steering column should be in the locked position, or the lower end of the steering column is to be secured or wired in such a way as
to prevent the steering column or steering wheel from rotating and damaging the air bag sliding contact.
2. Remove the bolt securing the intermediate shaft to the steering column assembly. Remove the intermediate shaft from inside the vehicle. Discard
original bolt.
3. Remove the bolt securing the lower shaft to the steering gear input shaft. Remove lower shaft from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
1. Install lower shaft on to the steering gear input (part of steering gear) shaft. Install new bolt and tighten bolt to 40-55 Nm (30-40 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Use new bolt to attach intermediate shaft to steering gear input shaft and steering column shaft to intermediate shaft.
2. Install intermediate shaft through the steering column opening weather seal and onto the steering column assembly. Install new bolt and tighten to
40-55 Nm (30-40 ft. lbs.).
3. Extend lower shaft and connect the upper shaft. Install and tighten bolt to 40-55 Nm (30-40 ft. lbs.).