Adjust total on center load to eliminate excessive lash between the sector and rack teeth as follows. See mesh load specifications for checking and setting values.
1. Disconnect pitman arm from the sector shaft.
2. Disconnect the fluid return line at the reservoir and cap the reserveoir return line pipe.
3. Place the end of the return line in a clean container and turn the steering wheel from stop to stop sevral times to discharge the fliid from the gear. Discard the fluid.
4. Turn the steering wheel 45 degrees from the right stop.
5. Attach an inch pound torque wrench to the steering wheel nut and determine the torque required to rotate the shaft slowly approximately one-eighth turn from the 45 degree position towards center.
6. Turn the steering gear back to center and determine the torque required to rotate the shaft back and forth across the center position (+/- 90 degrees). Refer to the chart for checkingand resetting specifications. If the reset is required loosen the adjuster locknut and turn the sector shaft asjuster screw until the readiong is the specified value greater than the torque at 45 degrees from stop.
Hold the sector shaft screw in place and tighten the locknut.
7. Re-check the torque readings and replace the pitman arm and steering wheel hub cover.
8. Connect the fluid return line to the reservoir and fill the reservoir to specifications.
The manual shows specs for vehicles with less than 5000 miles and those with more.
Since we are dealing with older vehicles I will only post the more than 5000 mile specs.
Checking:
Reset if meshload measured while while rocking input shaft over center is less than 1.13 N-m (10 in-lb) greater than the torque 45 degrees from the right stop.
Reset:
Set torque measured rocking across center to a value 1.0 - 1.4 N-m (9-13 in-lb)greater than that measured 45 degrees from the right stop.
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Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com
[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-15-2000).]
