1969 FORD MUSTANG lock

03-05-05
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-05

TILT-AWAY STEERING

COLUMN REPAIRS

VACUUM RELEASE VALVE-

COUGAR AND MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Working from the underside of

the instrument panel disconnect the

hose from the valve.

2.
Disconnect the wire from the

connector on the valve and the con-

nector from the relay.

3.
Remove the bracket-

to-instrument panel attaching bolt and

let the bracket swing down.

4.
Remove the two screws that se-

cure the valve to the mounting bracket

and remove the valve.

Installation

1.
Secure the valve to the mounting

bracket with the two attaching screws.

2.
Position the bracket to the in-

strument panel and install the attach-

ing bolt.

3.
Connect the wire to the terminal

on the valve.

4.
Connect the hose from the vacu-

um motor to the horizontal connector

on the valve and the hose from the

reservoir to the vertical connector.

VACUUM RELEASE VALVE—

THUNDERBIRD

Removal

1.
Remove the lower finish panel.

2.
Disconnect the vacuum hose

from the vacuum release valve.

3.
Disconnect the vacuum release

valve electrical leads at the connector.

4.
Loosen the two attaching screws

holding the bracket to the dash. Lift

up the bracket to clear the screws and

swing it down below the panel.

5.
Remove the screws attaching the

valve to the panel and remove the

valve.

Installation

1.
Position the vacuum release

valve on the bracket.

2.
Install the two attaching screws

and swing the bracket up and over the

screws. Tighten the screws.

3.
Connect the electrical leads to

the wiring harness.
4.
Connect the hose from the vacu-

um dash panel junction block to the

connector on the vacuum release valve

that points downward and forward.

Connect the hose from the vacuum

motor to the other connector on the

release valve.

5.
Install the lower finish panel.

VACUUM MOTOR-

COUGAR AND MUSTANG

Removal

1.
Working from the underside of

the instrument panel, disconnect the

hose to the valve and the wires to the

relay and valve.

2.
Remove the bracket-

to-instrument panel attaching bolt and

swing the bracket downward.

3.
Remove the clevis pin that se-

cures the cable to the vacuum motor

rod.

4.
Disconnect the starter safety

switch wire at the connector.

5.
Remove the two motor-

to-bracket attaching screws and re-

move the motor, disconnecting the

hose to the solenoid.

Installation

1.
Position the motor on the
mounting bracket and the attaching

screws.

2.
Connect the control cable to the

vacuum motor rod with the clevis pin.

3.
Position the bracket to the in-

strument panel and install the attach-

ing bolt. Make all electrical and vacu-

um connections.

4.
Readjust the cable bracket to as-

sure full engagement of the locking

pawl when in driving position.

5.
Connect the hose to the vacuum

motor.

VACUUM MOTOR—

THUNDERBIRD

Removal

1.
Remove the lower finish panel.

2.
Disconnect the vacuum hose

from the solenoid valve. Disconnect

the electrical lead.

3.
Loosen the screws that attach

the bracket to the dash and lift the

bracket up; then, swing it down.

4.
Remove the clevis pin holding

the motor to the cable.

5.
Remove the two attaching

screws, then lift the motor from the

bracket.

C-CLAMP

PIVOT PIN

G 1462-A

FIG. 6—Installing Pivot Pinsprocarmanuals.com

03-05-06
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-06

Installation.

1.
Position the vacuum motor on

the bracket. Tighten the two attaching

screws.

2.
Connect the cable to the motor

with the clevis pin. Adjust the cable

bracket so the motor rod is fully ex-

tended, but not tight.

3.
Slide the vacuum motor as re-

quired to align the locking pawl rod

and vacuum motor. Retighten the two

vacuum motor attaching screws.

4.
Connect the vacuum hose to the

vacuum motor.

5.
Install the lower finish panel.

LOCKING LEVER

REPLACEMENT

Removal

1.
Remove the upper flange and

bearings from the column.

2.
Insert a 3
1/8-inch
bolt between

the lower ends of the locking levers

(Fig. 7) to relieve the tension from the

column release lever.

3.
Place the flange in a vise as

shown (Fig. 7) and remove the two re-

tainers with a screwdriver.

4.
Lift the column release lever

from the flange.

5.
Drive the locking lever retaining

pins from the flange with a small

drift.

6. Release the vise slowly to pre-

vent the levers from flying out.

LEVER RETAINING

PINS

3-1/8'
7.
Remove the levers, spring caps

and springs from the flange.

Installation

1.
Make sure that the rubber insu-

lators are in place in the upper flange.

2.
Position the springs, spring caps

and locking levers in the upper flange.

3.
Place the assembly in a vise and

compress the springs. Install new lever

retaining pins in the upper flange. The

pins should protrude from the sides of

the flange by .03 to .09 inch.

4.
Install a 3
1/8-inch
bolt between

the lower ends of the locking levers as

shown in Fig. 7.

5.
Make sure that the column re-

lease lever stop and spring is in place

in the upper flange, then position the

column release lever on the flange. In-

stall the two retainers.

6. Remove the 3
1/8-inch
bolt from

between the levers.

7.
Install the upper flange and

bearings in the steering column.

STEERING COLUMN

ALIGNMENT

THUNDERBIRD AND

CONTINENTAL MARK III

A condition of high shift or steering
efforts may be experienced caused by

improper alignment of the energy ab-

sorbing steering column. The fol-

lowing procedures outline the steps

necessary to correctly re-align either

fixed or tilt columns.

It is recommended that before at-

tempting realignment, the toe plate

(column retainer) to dash panel fas-

tener holes be inspected for a binding

or misaligned condition.

If the conditions described above

could be attributed to this area, file or

ream the dash panel holes for greater

clearance.

The column alignment procedures:

1.
Loosen the nuts retaining the toe

plate (column retainer) to the dash

panel (B in Fig. 8).

2.
Loosen to fingertight the bolt

and nut located on the toe plate re-

taining clamp (C in Fig. 8).

3.
Remove trim at instrument panel

to steering column mounting to ex-

pose retaining bolts.

4.
Loosen to fingertight {.he bolts

that support the column and bracket

against the instrument panel (D in

Fig. 8).

5.
Loosen to fingertight the bolts or

nuts which retain the column brackets

to the brake pedal support bracket

(E).

6. Loosen to fingertight the bolt

which controls lateral adjustment of

RETAINER

B

c

D

E

F
TORQUE VALUE

8-12 FT. LB.

3-5 FT. LB.

7.12 FT. LB.

7.12 FT. LB.

28-42 FT. LB.

G1536-A

FIG. 7—Removing or Installing

Locking Levers
FIG. 8—Steering Column Alignment Locations and Torque Specificationsprocarmanuals.com

03-05-08
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-08

tube.
In some instances the column

will shift into proper alignment when

the toe plate attaching nuts are loos-

ened. (Alignment is acceptable if a

.010 inch feeler blade can be passed

freely, completely around the area be-

tween the outer diameter of the steer-

ing shaft and the shift tube.) if the

misalignment condition can be attrib-

uted to this area, file or ream the dash

panel holes for greater clearance. If

the alignment is maintained after the

toe plate nuts and toe plate to column

clamp bolt and nut are torqued to the

8-12 ft-lb specification, no further ad-

justment is necessary.

4.
Remove instrument panel lower

trim panel. Vehicles equipped with a

combination radio stereo tape player

will require removal of the radio and

tape player assembly in order to gain

access to the upper R.H. steering col-

umn support bracket bolt.

5.
Loosen the seven bolts at the

steering column support bracket and

brake pedal support bracket.
6. Install a 3/16 inch diameter rod

spacer in the flex coupling to assure

proper clearance between upper and

lower steering shaft.

7.
Raise the vehicle, remove the

transmission splash shield, and visual-

ly align the column to center the

steering shaft in the column. Tighten

two toe plate attaching nuts sufficient-

ly to hold the column alignment (two

persons may be required for this oper-

ation).

8. Lower the vehicle.

9. Check the clearance between the

steering column support bracket and

the instrument panel bracket. It may

be necessary to add shims (Part Num-

ber MK-3054-A .060 inch thick, or

C3AZ-3054-A, .113 inch thick) be-

tween the support bracket and the in-

strument panel bracket to prevent

movement of the column when the

support bracket bolts are tightened.

10.
Loosen the two toe plate at-

taching nuts previously tightened. Re-

check steering column alignment. In
some instances it may be necessary to

enlarge the holes in the dash panel in

order to obtain proper column align-

ment.

11.
With the column properly al-

igned, torque the four toe plate at-

taching nuts to 4-9 ft-lbs.

12.
Torque the toe plate to steering

column clamp bolt to 3-5 ft-lbs.

13.
Recheck steering shaft to shift

tube alignment. A 0.10 inch feeler

blade should pass freely, completely

around the area between the outer di-

ameter of the steering shaft and shift-

er tube.

14.
Raise the vehicle.

15.
Adjust transmission shift link-

age.

16.
Install transmission splash

shield.

17.
Lower the vehicle.

18.
Install the radio stereo tape

player if so equipped.

19.
Install instrument panel lower

trim panel.

20.
Connect the battery.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING COLUMN

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

switch and back-up light switch wires

from the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column retainer and seal at the toe

plate (Fig. 11).

7.
Ford, Meteor: Remove the two

screws that secure the lower trim

shroud to the upper trim shroud. Re-

move the two shrouds.

Mercury: Remove the two screws

that secure the lower trim shroud to

the upper trim shroud. Remove the

top shroud Disconnect the ignition

switch light bulb. Remove the ignition

and light switch bezels and spring clip

and remove the lower shroud. Discon-
nect the light switch electrical connec-

tor block.

8. Remove the two screws that se-

cure the intermediate bracket to the

column lower bracket.

9. While supporting the steering

column, remove the two nuts that se-

cure the column lower bracket to the

instrument panel. Remove the brack-

ets.

10.
Lift the steering column and

wheel from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Index the block tooth on

the steering gear shaft with the corre-

sponding slot on the flex coupling. In-

stall and tighten the flex coupling-

to-steering gear attaching bolt.

2.
Place the column upper bracket

and column lower bracket in position

on the column and install but do not

tighten the four attaching nuts.

3.
Install and tighten the two nuts

that secure the column lower bracket

to the instrument panel. Make certain

the column is properly positioned rela-

tive to the flex coupling input shaft

connection.

4.
Install and tighten the screws

that secure the intermediate bracket to

the column lower bracket.
5.
Tighten the four attaching nuts

at the upper and lower brackets and

the two nuts at the upper bracket to

instrument panel. The dial pointer (if

so equipped) should be adjusted to

coincide with the selector lever.

6. Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Make sure

the steering shaft is centered in the

column before tightening the nuts.

7.
Ford, Meteor: Install and tighten

the two screws that secure the lower

trim shroud to the upper trim shroud.

Mercury: Connect the light switch

harness block. Install the ignition and

light switch bezels. Connect the igni-

tion switch light bulb. Install the top

shroud and the two screws that secure

the lower trim shroud to the upper

shroud.

8. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

9. Connect the neutral start switch

and back-up light switch to their re-

spective terminals.

10.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

11.
Connect the negative battery

cable to the battery.

12.
Check the operation of the

steering tilt mechanism if so equipped

and the switches.procarmanuals.com

03-05-14
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-14

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wires at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Connect the tilt-column control

cable to the release cable retainer and

vacuum motor (if so equipped). To re-

move cable slack, loosen the bracket

attaching screw and pull it slightly

toward the column, then tighten the

screw. If difficulty in adjusting this

control is experienced, the retainer

slot may be filed to gain additional

travel.

10.
Install the instrument panel

steering column plate and cover and

the instrument panel lower outer fin-

ish panel.

11.
Connect the negative cable to

the battery.

12.
Start the engine and check the

operation of the steering column and

switches.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery.

2.
Disconnect the rod from the
lever at the lower end of the selector

tube.

Loosen the clamp bolt that locks

the flexible coupling to the steering

shaft.

3.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. Do not use a ham-

mer or knock-off type wheel puller.

Striking the puller or shaft may cause

damage to the bearings and/or col-

lapsible column. Remove the steering

wheel as shown in Fig. 15.

4.
Remove the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

5.
Remove the four screws that at-

tach the lower retainer to the dash

panel.

6. Disconnect the turn signal switch

and emergency flasher wires at the

connectors. Disconnect the wires from

the neutral start switch.

7.
While supporting the steering

column, remove the bolts that attach

the lower clamp to the upper bracket

(Fig. 15). Lift the column from the ve-

hicle.

Installation

1.
Position the column in the vehi-
cle,
making sure that the steering

shaft engages the flex coupling.

2.
Install the column retainer-

to-dash panel attaching screws, but do

not tighten them.

3.
Install the lower clamp and the

attaching nuts. Tighten the nuts fing-

ertight.

4.
Move the lower flange as re-

quired to center the steering shaft in

the tube. Aligning procedures are de-

tailed in Part 3-1. Tighten the lower

flange attaching nuts when the shaft is

centered.

5.
Connect the shift rod to the shift

lever at the lower end of the column.

6. Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling attaching bolt.

7.
Tighten the instrument panel-

to-clamp attaching nuts.

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wirss at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Install the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

10.
Install the steering wheel and

crash pad.

MAJOR REPAIR OPERATIONS

STEERING COLUMN

SHIFT TUBE REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMN

WITH STANDARD

TRANSMISSION

Removal

1.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. (On Continental

Mark III models, pry out the crash

pad insert and remove the two screws

that secure the crash pad. Remove the

crash pad. On models equipped with

steering wheel mounted speed con-

trols,
refer to Group 16 for removal

instructions).

2.
Remove the steering wheel from

the steering shaft with tool T67L-

3600-A (Fig. 1). Then, remove the

tool from the steering wheel. Do not

use a knock-off type steering Wheel

puller or strike the end of the steering

shaft with a hammer. Striking the

puller or shaft will damage the bear-
ing or the collapsible column.

3.
Remove the steering column

from the vehicle.

4.
Remove the selector lever from

the hub (Fig. 16).

5.
Remove the bearing upper snap

ring. It may be necessary to pull the

turn signal switch out to remove the

snap ring.

6. Remove the screws that attach

the shift tube bearing, shift arms, and

shift tube to the lower end of the

steering column.

7.
Slip the shift tube and steering

shaft from the lower end of the steer-

ing column tube. The upper bearing

has a slight press fit on the steering

shaft.

8. Remove the C-washer from the

upper end of the steering shaft, and

pull the shift tube from the steering

shaft.

9. Remove the shift tube bearing

from the lower end of the tube

Installation

1.
Position the shift tube bearing
(Fig. 16) on the tube and insert the

steering shaft in the shift tube.

2.
Install the C-washer on the

upper end of the steering shaft.

3.
Insert the shift tube and steering

shaft into the steerint column tube

and install the three attaching screws

at the lower end of the steering col-

umn tube.

4.
Position the bearing and insula-

tor on the shaft if it was disturbed

during removal. Work it down onto

the shaft as far as possible, then place

a piece of 3/4 ID x 2 1/8 inch pipe

over the end of shaft and install the

steering wheel attaching nut (Fig. 2).

5.
Tighten the nut until the bearing

is seated in the flange, then remove

the nut and pipe from the shaft.

6. Position the turn signal switch

on the flange and install the three at-

taching screws. Install the upper snap

ring.

7.
Install the selector lever and the

turn signal lever in the column.

8. Adjust and install the neutral

start switch as detailed in Group 7.

9. Install the steering column in the

vehicle.procarmanuals.com

03-05-20
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-20

placed if it becomes worn or damaged

(Figs.
18 through 21). Do not attempt

to straighten the sleeve if damaged.

1.
Remove the spindle connecting

rod end assemblies as described in the

previous sub-section.

2.
Screw the spindle rod end assem-

blies into the new sleeve the same

number of turns as the ends that were

removed. Do not tighten the clamp

bolts at this time.

3.
Position the sleeve and end as-

sembly on the center link and the

spindle arm. Install the attaching nut,

torque it to specification, and install

the cotter pin.

4.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

toe-in (Part 3-1). After toe-in is

checked and adjusted, oil the sleeve

clamp bolts then torque them to speci-

fication. The sleeve clamp must be in-

stalled as shown in Figs. 18 through

21.

CENTER LINK

REPLACEMENT

The center link connecting the Pit-

man arm and the idler arm is non-

adjustable and is provided with ta-

pered holes to accommodate the ball

studs (Figs. 18 through 21). The link

should be replaced when damaged or

when worn at the ball studs. On Lin-

coln Continental models, the link

should be replaced if excessive loose-

ness is noticed in either ball stud sock-

et.

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

position safety stands.

2.
Remove the cotter pins and nuts

that attach both inner connecting rod

ends to the center link (Figs. 18

through 21).

3.
Disconnect the inner connecting

rod ends from the center link using

Tool 3290-C (Fig. 22).

4.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the idler arm to the center

link. Disconnect the idler arm from

the center link using Tool 3290-C for

Lincoln Continental models only.

5.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the Pitman arm to the cen-

ter link. Disconnect the Pitman arm

from the center link (use Tool 3290-C)

and remove the center link. On ve-

hicles equipped with the non-integral

power steering system, remove the

center link from the control valve as

detailed in Part 3-7.

INSTALLATION

1.
Replace the rubber seals on the
spindle connecting rod ends, if re-

quired.

2.
Position the center link to the

Pitman arm and idler arm and install

the attaching nuts loosely. On all ve-

hicles except Lincoln Continental

models, place the idler arm and the

front wheels in the straight ahead po-

sition to insure keeping the steering

wheel aligned and to prevent bushing

damage after the attaching nuts have

been torqued. On Lincoln Continental

models, insure that the seal is properly

installed on the center link. Torque

the nuts to the low end of the specifi-

cation. Continue to tighten each nut

until the slots in the nut align with the

hole in the stud. Then install a new

cotter pin.

3.
Position the spindle connecting

rod ends to the center link and install

the attaching nuts. Torque the nuts to

the low end of the specification. Con-

tinue to tighten each nut until the

slots in the nut align with the hole in

the stud. Then, install a new cotter

pin.

4.
Remove the safety stands, lower

the vehicle, check and adjust toe-in to

specification (Part 3-1).

STEERING IDLER ARM

AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

If the idler arm bushings are worn

the complete idler arm assembly must

be replaced. In Lincoln Continental

models, if the socket at the idler

bracket is excessively loose, replace

the complet assembly.

1.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the steering center link at

the idler arm (Figs. 18 through 21).

2.
Disconnect the center link from

the idler arm (on Lincoln Continental

models, use Tool 3290-C).

3.
Remove the two bolts that attach

the idler arm and bracket assembly to

the frame.

INSTALLATION

1.
Secure the new idler arm and

bracket assembly to the frame with

the two attaching bolts (nuts and flat

washers as shown in Figs. 18, 19 and

21).

2.
On all vehicles except Lincoln

Continental models, place the idler

arm and the front wheels in the

straight ahead position to insure keep-

ing the steering wheel aligned and to
prevent bushing damage after the at-

taching nut has been torqued. Insert

the center link stud through the hole

in the end of the idler arm and install

the nut and washer.

On Lincoln Continental models, in-

sert the center link stud through the

hole in the end of the idler arm insur-

ing that the seal is properly installed

on the center link.

3.
Torque the idler arm rod nut to

specification and install a new cotter

pin.

PITMAN ARM

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

castellated nut that attaches the steer-

ing center link to the Pitman arm.

Remove the castellated nut.

2.
Disconnect the steering center

link from the Pitman arm with tool

3290-C.

3.
Remove the Pitman arm attaching

nut and lock washer.

4.
Position the front wheels in the

straight ahead position. Remove the

Pitman arm with tool T64P-3590-F

(Fig. 23).

INSTALLATION

1.
With the front wheels in the

straight ahead position, place the Pit-

man arm on the sector shaft making

sure it is pointing forward.

2.
Install the nut and lock washer.

Torque the nut to specification.

G1663-A

FIG. 23— Removing Pitman

Arm—Typicalprocarmanuals.com

03-06-01
Manual Steering

03 06-01

PART
3-6
Manual Steering

COMPONENT INDEX

STEERING GEAR

Cleaning
and
Inspection

(See Part 03-01)

Description

Disassembly
and
Overhaul

Removal
and
Installation

STEERING WORM
AND
SECTOR

Adjustment
and
Repair
MODEL APPLICATION
All
Models
Ford

06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Mercury
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Meteor
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Cougar
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Fairlane
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Falcon
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Montego
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Mustang
06-01

06-03

06-02

06-02
Lincoln-
Continental
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Thunderbird
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
Continental-
Mark
III
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

A page number indicates that the item
is for
the vehicle listed
at
the head
of
the column.

N/A indicates that the item
is not
applicable
to
the vehicle listed.

DESCRIPTION

STEERING GEAR

The steering gear
(Fig.
1) is of the

worm
and
recirculating ball type.
The

sector shaft
is
straddle mounted
hav-

INPUT SHAFT
ing
a
bushing located
in the
cover

above
the
gear
and a
roller bearing
in

the housing below
the
gear.

SECTOR SHAFT ADJUSTMENT SCREW

LOCK
NUT

IDENTIFICATION
TAG

SECTOR SHAFT COVER
The worm bearing preload
is con-

trolled
by the
large adjusting
nut

which
is
threaded into
the
housing.

The sector shaft mesh load
is con-

trolled
by an
adjusting screw located

in
the
housing cover.

The steering linkage consists
of the

Pitman
arm,
steering-arm-to-idler
arm

rod, idler
arm and the
spindle
con-

necting rods
(tie
rods).

A steering gear identification
tag is

provided under
one of the
cover
at-

taching bolts
(Fig.
2).

STEERING GEAR

MODEL
SERVICE IDENTIFICATION

CODE NUMBER

FIG.
1—Manual
Steering Gear
SERIAL NUMBER
OR
DATE CODE

G 1625-A
G
1626-A

FIG. 2—Steering Gear Identification
procarmanuals.com

03-06-02
Manual Steering

03-06-02

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

STEERING WORM AND

SECTOR

GEAR ADJUSTMENTS

The ball nut assembly and the sec-

tor gear must be adjusted properly to

maintain minimum steering shaft end

play (a factor of preload adjustment)

and minimum backlash between sector

gear and ball nut. There are only two

possible adjustments within the recir-

culating ball-type steering gear, and

these should be made in the following

order to avoid damage or gear failure.

1.
Disconnect the Pitman arm from

the steering Pitman-to-idler arm rod.

2.
Loosen the nut which locks the

sector adjusting screw (Fig. 3), and

turn the adjusting screw counterclock-

wise.
(On models equipped with the

Cobra Jet engine, it may be necessary

to use a suitable holding tool with an

extension and a long screwdriver to

make the gear adjustment).

3.
Measure the worm bearing pre-

load by attaching an in-lb torque

wrench to the steering wheel nut (Fig.

4).
With the steering wheel off center,

read the pull required to rotate the

input shaft approximately 1 1/2 turns

either side of center. If the torque or

preload is not within specification

(Part 3-1), adjust as explained in the

next step.
.•ADJUSTER
LOCK
NUT

SECTOR
SHAFT

ADJUSTING
SCREW
G
1627-A

FIG. 3—Steering Gear

Adjustments—Typical

4.
Loosen the steering shaft bearing

adjuster lock nut, and tighten or back

off the bearing adjuster (Fig. 1) to

bring the preload within the specified

limits.

5.
Tighten the steering shaft bear-

ing adjuster lock nut, and recheck the

preload.

6. Turn the steering wheel slowly to

either stop. Turn gently against the

stop to avoid possible damage to the

ball return guides. Then rotate the

wheel 2-3/4 turns to center the ball

nut.
7.
Turn the sector adjusting screw

clockwise until the specified torque

(Part 3-13) is necessary to rotate the

worm past its center (high spot) (Fig.

1).

8. While holding the sector adjust-

ing screw, tighten the sector adjusting

screw locknut to specification, and re-

check the backlash adjustment.

9. Connect the Pitman arm to the

steering arm-to-idler arm rod.

G-1495-A

FIG. 4—Checking Steering Gear

Preload—Typical

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING GEAR

REMOVAL

1.
Remove the bolt(s) that retains

the flex coupling to the steering shaft.

2.
Remove the nut and lock washer

that secures the Pitman arm to the

sector shaft using Tool T64P-3590-F

(Fig. 5).

3.
To obtain clearance on some

models equipped with standard trans-

mission, it may be necessary to dis-

connect the clutch linkage. On some

8-cylinder models, it may be necessary

to lower the exhaust system.

4.
Remove the steering gear-to-side

rail bolts and remove the gear.
Too /-MB
STEERING
GEAR
HOUSING

T64P-3590.F

(PITMAN
"APU'^M
-
.-. •
-"
•.:,.17''i.a—
r.iMI.
A

F'G.
5—Removing Pitman Arm
INSTALLATION

1.
Position the steering gear and

flex coupling in place; then, install

and torque the steering gear-to-side

rail bolts to specification (Part 3-13).

2.
If the clutch linkage has been

disconnected, reposition, install and

adjust it. If the exhaust system has

been lowered, reinstall it to its proper

position.

3.
Position the Pitman arm and the

sector shaft and install the attaching

nut and lock washer. Torque the nut

to specification.

4.
Install and connect the flex cou-

pling attaching nut(s) and torque it to

specification (Part 3-13).procarmanuals.com

03-06-03
Manual Steering

03-06-03

MAJOR REPAIR OPERATIONS

STEERING GEAR

DISASSEMBLY

1. Rotate the steering shaft 3 turns

from either stop.

2.
After removing the sector adjust-

ing screw locknut and the housing

cover bolts (Fig. 6), remove the sector

shaft with the cover. Remove the

cover from the shaft by turning the

screw clockwise. Keep the shim with

the screw.

HOUSING
•
3548
6. Turn the ball nut over, and ro-

tate the worm shaft from side to side

until all 50 balls have dropped out of

the nut into a clean pan. With the

balls removed, the ball nut will slide

off the worm.

7. Remove the upper bearing cup

from the bearing adjuster and the

lower cup from the housing. It may be

necessary to tap the housing or the

adjuster on a block of wood to jar the

bearing cups loose.

8. If the preliminary inspection

GASKET
• 3581

SHIM-3A657 COVER
AND

BUSHING
•
3583

SECTOR SHAFT

ADJUSTING SCREW
.
3577

•BEARING-3576

SEAL
- 3591

G 1623-A

FIG. 6—Sector Shaft
and
Housing Disassembled

-^-HOUSING-3548

BEARING
CUP •
3552

BALL
NUT

BEARING-3571

FILLER PLUG-3556
LOCK NUT-3707

3524 BEARING
CUP \
SEAL-3738

•GUIDE -3523

• BEARINGS
•
3647

.CLAMP-3544
BEARING
• 3571

G 1624-A

FIG. 7—Steering Shaft
and
Related Parts Disassembled

3.
Loosen the worm bearing adjust-

er nut, and remove the adjuster as-

sembly and the steering shaft upper

bearing (Fig. 7).

4.
Carefully pull the steering shaft

and ball nut from the housing, and i •-

move the steering shaft lower bearr g.

To avoid possible damage to the ball

return guides, keep
the
ball
nut
from

running down
to
either
end of the

worm.

Disassemble
the
ball only
if
there
is

indication
of
binding
or
tightness.

5.
Remove the ball return guide

clamp and the ball return guides from

the ball
nut.
Keep
the
ball
nut
clamp-

side up until ready to remove the

balls.
shows damage, press the sector shaft

bearing and the oil seal from the

housing (Fig. 8).

ASSEMBLY

1. If the sector shaft bearing and

oil seal have been removed, press a

new bearing into the housing and in-

stall a new oil seal. Do not clean,

wash or soak seals in cleaning solvent

(Fig.
7).
Apply
the
recommended

steering gear lubricant
to the
bearing

and seals.

2.
Install a bearing cup in the lower

end of the housing and in the adjuster.

3.
If the seal in the bearing adjuster

was removed, install a new seal.
Tool
-
T62F
•
3576
- A

G 1622-A

FIG.
8—Removing
Oil
Seal

and Bearing

4.
Insert the ball guides into the

holes of the ball nut, tapping them

lightly with a wood handle of a screw

driver if necessary to seat them.

5.
Insert 25 balls into the hole in

the top of each ball guide. It may be

necessary to rotate the shafi: slightly

one way, then in the opposite direc-

tion to distribute the balls in the cir-

cuit.

6. After the 50 balls are installed,

install the ball guide clamp. Torque

the screws to specification. Check the

worm shaft to make sure that it ro-

tates freely.

7. Coat the threads of the steering

shaft bearing adjuster, the housing

cover bolts, and the sector adjusting

screw with a suitable oil-resisi:ant seal-

ing compound. Do not apply sealer to

female threads and especially avoid

getting any sealer on the steering shaft

bearings.

8.
Coat the worm bearings, sector

shaft bearings, and gear teeth with

steering gear lubricant.

9. Clamp the housing in a vise, with

the sector shaft axis horizontal, and

position the steering shaft lower bear-

ing in its cup.

10.
Position the steering shaft and

ball nut assemblies in the housing.

11.
Position the steering shaft

upper bearing on the top of the worm,

and install the steering shaft bearingprocarmanuals.com