Firebird V8-305 5.0L (1982)
Fig. 6 Removing end plug retaining ring
1.
Referring to
Fig. 3, position gear in vise with gear housing end plug facing up.
2.
Rotate gear housing end plug retaining ring so that one end of ring is over hole in housing. Spring one end of ring with a punch to allow
screwdriver to be inserted to lift ring out,
Fig. 6.
3.
Rotate coupling flange counterclockwise until rack-piston just forces end plug out of housing. Remove plug from housing.
Do not rotate any
further than necessary or balls will fall out of their circuit and pitman shaft teeth and rack-piston will become disengaged.
4.
Remove rack-piston end plug, using a 1/2 inch square drive.
To make removal easier, tap rack-piston end plug with a plastic mallet to unseat
threads. This is important as end plug is tightened to 75-80 ft. lbs. during assembly and could break during removal if not handled
carefully.
5.
Remove locknut from pitman shaft adjuster screw and discard.
6.
Remove four side cover retaining screws and washers from cover.
7.
Rotate pitman shaft adjuster screw with an Allen wrench until side cover is lifted free of housing.
8.
Separate side cover from pitman shaft; discard side cover O-ring seal.
9.
Turn coupling flange until pitman shaft teeth are centered in housing.
10.
Tap end of pitman shaft with a soft mallet and slide pitman shaft out of housing.
11.
Remove housing end plug O-ring seal and discard.
Fig. 7 Installing rack-piston arbor tool in end of worm
Fig. 8 Removing adjuster plug
12.
Insert Rack-Piston Arbor into rack-piston against end of worm,
Fig. 7. Turn coupling flange counterclockwise, while holding tool tightly against
worm, to force rack-piston onto arbor, and remove rack-piston from gear housing.
13.
Remove stub shaft-to-coupling flange retaining screw and remove flange.
14.
Remove adjuster plug locknut by breaking it loose with hammer and punch, and remove locknut from housing.
15.
Loosen adjuster plug and remove from housing,
Fig. 8.
