Thunderbird V8-4.6L VIN W (1997)
Tie Rod Boot: Service and Repair
DISASSEMBLY
1. Remove power rack and pinion steering gear.
2. Install two long bolts and washers through the steering gear insulators and attach to Bench Mounted Holding Fixture T57L-500-B.
3. Loosen the jam nuts on the outer ends of the front wheel spindle tie rods adjacent to the tie rod ends and remove the tie rod ends and jam nuts.
4. Remove the four inner/outer steering gear boot clamps retaining the bellows to the steering gear housing and the front wheel spindle tie rods.
Discard the inner/outer steering gear boot clamps if damaged or excessively corroded.
5. Remove the front suspension steering ball stud dust seal along with the power steering gear rack tube.
CAUTION: Use care not to damage the bellows, as internal damage to front wheel spindle tie rod may result.
6. Remove power rack and pinion steering gear from the holding fixture and lay on the bench before proceeding. This prevents steering gear teeth
damage from steering gear input shaft twisting when removing the front wheel spindle tie rods.
7. Position steering gear input shaft so that several steering gear input shaft teeth are exposed. Hold steering gear rack with an adjustable wrench on
the end teeth only, while loosening front wheel spindle tie rods with nut wrench.
ASSEMBLY
1. Turn power rack and pinion against or near left stop and hold steering gear rack with adjustable wrench. Tighten each front wheel spindle tie rod
assembly separately using nut wrench to 90-110 Nm (67-81 ft. lbs.).
2. Install front suspension steering ball stud dust seal and power steering gear rack tube. Install clamps retaining front suspension steering ball stud
dust seal to the steering gear housing and tighten to 2.3-3.4 Nm (20-30 inch lbs.). Position front suspension steering ball stud dust seal, power
steering gear rack tube and clamps as shown.
3. Install new steering gear boot clamps clamps retaining front suspension steering ball stud dust seal to tie rod ends tie rod ends.
4. Install the jam nuts on the front wheel spindle tie rods.
5. Apply Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric Compound D7AZ-19A331-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M1C171-A to tie
rod end threads.
6. Install tie rod ends on the front wheel spindle tie rod.
