Sable V6-182 3.0L (1986)
Steering Gear: Service and Repair
Disassembly/Assembly
Repair & Inspection
TIE RODS & BELLOWS
Disassembly
1.
Clean exterior of gear assembly.
2.
Loosen jam nuts and remove tie rod ends and jam nuts.
3.
Remove bellows clamps and the small (outer) tie rod clamps. Discard bellows clamps.
4.
Remove the bellows.
5.
Cycle gear to full right turn to expose rack teeth. Mount rack teeth in soft jawed vise to remove either or both tie rod ends.
6.
Remove tie rod ends by turning ball socket with pipe wrench.
7.
Check rack for corrosion and contamination. If either is present, the gear must be completely overhauled or replaced.
Assembly
1.
Cycle gear to full right turn to expose rack teeth. Mount rack teeth in a soft jawed vise.
2.
Before installing tie rods, inspect ends of rack for flatness. If burrs are present, remove by lightly filing.
3.
Install service tie rods and torque to 35---50 ft. lbs.
4.
Remove gear assembly from vise.
5.
Support ball socket, and stake to rack using a stake punch. Center of stake punch should be approximately 1.5 mm (.06 inch) away from rack end.
Perform visual inspection to verify displacement of metal into rack slot.
6.
Replenish any grease that may have been removed with fresh grease by applying it to the rack teeth. Coat remainder of rack (both ends) with a
light film of grease. Use specified steering gear lubricant.
7.
Install bellows and clamps. Ensure small diameter of bellows is in the tie rod groove.
8.
Install jam nuts and tie rod ends.
Fig. 1 Pinion plug removal
Fig. 2 Pinion & bearing assembly removal
PINION, RACK & HOUSING
Disassembly
If pinion is removed, the entire gear must be disassembled for cleaning because the pinion plug threads must be re-tapped and cleaned.
1.
Remove tie rod ends, jam nuts, bellows and tie rods. Refer to ``Tie Rod & Bellows'' procedures.
2.
Hold gear housing in a vise, positioned as required for the following steps.
3.
Twist and pull off plastic dirt extruder on pinion and discard.
