Century Estate Wagon V6-181 3.0L (1984)
RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY
The design intent is that valve rings will remain stationary in the bore of a power rack & pinion assembly. If hard steering, lack of assist when
started cold, etc., is encountered with normal pump pressure, inspect the rack & pinion housing valve bore. See Illustration.
Ring contact marks in the valve bore is normal. If ring groove exists, replacement of the housing is necessary to assure that replacement rings will
not eventually wear further into the housing and result in a recurrence of a lack of power assist symptom.
If only one or two of the four ring contact marks in the housing have
resulted in ring groove wear, the corresponding ring land of the valve is
most likely causing excessive ring drag. Inspect valve ring land for any
imperfection or burr which may restrict ring rotation. Remove any burrs
with a hone.
If replacement rings will not rotate freely on the valve, valve replacement is required.
In mid-year 1984, the rack & pinion housing valve bore will have a textured finish to further ensure valve ring retention to the bore. The textured