Removing

Because it is impossible to correctly lock the ball joint casing at the rack end while it is on the vehicle, the operation of removing and refitting the steering tie rods must be done as a bench operation with the steering rack assembly removed from the vehicle.

As the assembly is locked by folding down the metal tongue of the ball joint casing, the ball joint must be replaced by a new one every time it is removed.

REMOVING

• Grip the rack in a vice.
• Remove the clip that retains the ball joint boot at the steering box end, fig. I.
• Roll bak the two rubber rings, fig. II, that secure the boot the the steering tie rod.
• Pull back the boot.
• Loosen the toe-in adjusting lock nut, fig. IV.
• Remove the components, fig. V.
• Unscrew the ball joint casing at steering box end, fig. III, using spanner 8.0708.
• Remove the steering tie rod.

IMPORTANT - A steering tie rod must be replaced by a new one every time it is removed from the steering rack.