Topaz L4-140 2.3L HSC (1984)
Tie Rod End: Service and Repair
***UPDATED BY TSB# 90-14-06
REMOVAL
1.
Prepare the car for servicing.
a.
Unlock the steering column by turning the ignition key.
b.
Engage the parking brake.
c.
Raise and support the car.
d.
Clean any loose dirt or oil from the power steering gear and boot bellows.
2.
Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
a.
Loosen the jam nut and keep flush with outer tie rod.
b.
Disconnect the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut by using Tie Rod End Remover, TOOL-3290-D.
3.
Mark the threads at the jam nut location.
a.
Count and record the number of turns to remove the outer tie rod end from the inner tie rod. This information is useful in estimating the
alignment setting.
b.
Remove the jam nut from the inner tie rod spindle.
4.
Remove the left and right steering gear boot bellows along with the breather tube.
CAUTION: Use care not to damage the bellows.
5.
Remove the rivet or rollpin securing the inner tie rod to the steering gear rack.
a.
Use a sharp chisel to gently pry up the rivet or rollpin. DO NOT CUT OFF.
b.
Use side cutters to remove the rivet.
CAUTION: The rivet has a steel core which will deform the steering gear rack threads if it is not completely removed.
c.
Use Rotunda Lock Pin End Remover D81P-3504-N to remove the rollpin.
6.
If the rivet is not accessible, unscrew the inner tie rod until it is accessible (less than 1 full turn). Use Yoke Locknut Wrench (T81P-3504-G) or
Tie Rod Socket D90P-3290-A on the inner tie rod and an adjustable wrench on the rack teeth.
CAUTION: Have steering gear at or near the full turn (lock) position. Use a wrench on the rack teeth (flat) to resist rack rotation and prevent
damage to the pinion during removal and installation.
Allowing the rack and pinion to internally resist tightening or loosening may cause damage to the steering gear.
7.
Remove the inner tie rod from the steering gear rack using a wrench on the rack teeth in combination with Tie Rod Socket D90P-3290-A.
8.
Clean the following components:
**
The steering gear housing/boot bellows interface to both housing OD and boot ID.
**
All parts to be reused (inspect and replace as required)
**
Rack and housing bore
CAUTION: Thoroughly remove any abrasive material. This is extremely harmful to high pressure steering gear rack seal interface.
***UPDATED BY TSB# 90-14-06
INSTALLATION
1.
Replenish any grease which may have been removed from the rack teeth.
2.
Hold rack securely. Tighten each inner tie rod assembly separately to 40-50 lb.ft. using Yoke Locknut Wrench (T81P-3504-G) or Tie Rod Socket
D90P-3290-A.
3.
Install a pin using channel locks.
4.
Check the inner tie rod function by moving the tie rod spindle. Handshake in various directions.
5.
Apply steering gear grease to the inner tie rod groove where the boot bellows attach with a clamp to the inner tie rod. This allows for toe-in
adjustments without twisting the bellows.
6.
Install the boot bellows and breather tube.
a.
Check to see that the boot is properly positioned over the steering gear housing bead at the large ID and is in the tie rod groove at the small
ID.
b.
Check to see that the boot bellows are not twisted and that the vent tube is securely inserted into the vent nipple AT BOTH BOOTS.
7.
Install screw type clamps and position screw axis. Tighten screw to 1.7-2.5 lb.ft.
8.
Install new clamped retaining bellows to the inner tie rods.
9.
Apply disc brake caliper slide grease or equivalent to the inner tie rod threads.
10.
Install the jam nuts and outer tie rod to the inner tie rod.
a.
Count the approximate number of turns recorded earlier. This approximates the previous alignment toe setting.
b.
Tighten the jam nut against the outer tie rod end to 42-50 lb.ft.
