1986 FORD SIERRA air bleeding

Front suspension
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Independent by MacPherson struts with coil springs and integral
telescopic shock absorbers. Anti-roll bar fitted to all models
Rear suspension
Type:
Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Independent by semi-trailing arms and coil springs with telescopic
shock absorbers mounted behind coil springs on Saloon and
Hatchback models but concentric with coil springs on Estate models.
Self-levelling rear shock absorbers on certain Estate models. Anti-roll
bar fitted to certain models
P100 models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live beam axle with leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers
Steering
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rack-and-pinion steering gear linked to collapsible steering column by
flexible coupling and universal joint. Power steering available on
certain models
Front wheel alignment*
Production toe-setting:
Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 mm (0.08 in) ± 1.0 mm (0.04 in) toe-in
P100 models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.0 mm (0.08 in) ± 2.0 mm (0.08 in) toe-in
Service tolerance before adjustment is required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 mm (0.02 in) toe-out to 4.5 mm (0.18 in) toe-in
*Toe-setting figures are quoted for vehicle at kerb weight with 3.0 litres (0.66 gallons) of fuel in tank
Chapter 11
Suspension and steering
Front anti-roll bar - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Front anti-roll bar-to-lower arm compliance bushes - renewal . . . . . .8
Front hub carrier - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Front suspension crossmember - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Front suspension lower arm - removal, overhaul and refitting . . . . . . .3
Front suspension lower arm inner pivot bush - renewal . . . . . . . . . . .9
Front suspension strut - removal, overhaul and refitting . . . . . . . . . . .4
Front wheel - alignment checking and adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Front wheel bearings - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Manual steering gear - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Power steering fluid circuit - bleeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Power steering fluid hoses - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Power steering gear - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Power steering pump - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Rear anti-roll bar (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) - removal
and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Rear coil spring (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) - removal and
refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Rear shock absorber - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Rear suspension and axle assembly (P100 models) - removal and
refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Rear suspension and final drive unit assembly (Saloon, Hatchback and
Estate models) - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Rear suspension/final drive unit rear mounting (Saloon Hatchback and
Estate models) - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Rear suspension front mounting (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate
models) - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Rear suspension leaf spring (P100 models) - removal and refitting . .19
Rear suspension leaf spring bush (P100 models) - renewal . . . . . . .21
Rear suspension leaf spring shackle (P100 models) - removal and
refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Rear suspension lower arm (Saloon, Hatchback and Estate models) -
removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Rear wheel bearings - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Steering column adjuster - dismantling and reassembly . . . . . . . . . .25
Steering column - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Steering gear rubber gaiter - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Steering intermediate shaft and flexible coupling - removal and
refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Steering wheel - centralising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Steering wheel - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Tie-rod end - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
11•1
Specifications Contents
11
Easy,suitable for
novice with little
experienceFairly easy,suitable
for beginner with
some experienceFairly difficult,
suitable for competent
DIY mechanic
Difficult,suitable for
experienced DIY
mechanicVery difficult,
suitable for expert
DIY or professional
Degrees of difficulty

Refitting
3When refitting the fluid hoses, use new
O-rings, and take care not to overtighten the
unions. Note that with the unions fully
tightened it is still possible to rotate and move
the hoses.
4On completion of refitting, bleed the power
steering fluid circuit (Section 34).
Note: New power steering fluid hose O-rings
will be required when refitting.
All engines except 1.8 litre (R6A)
CVH and 2.0 litre DOHC
1Place a suitable container under the power
steering pump, unscrew the fluid hose unions,
and drain the fluid. Ensure that fluid is not
allowed to spill onto the alternator.
2Remove the drivebelts and unbolt the
power steering pump pulley if necessary to
ease removal.
3Unbolt the rear support bar from the pump
and the engine block (see illustration).
4Unbolt the pump from its mounting bracket,
and withdraw the pump from the engine.
5Refitting is a reversal of removal, noting the
following points.
6Tension the drivebelts correctly.
7When refitting the fluid hoses, use new
O-rings, and take care not to overtighten the
unions. 8On completion of refitting, bleed the power
steering fluid circuit.
1.8 litre (R6A) CVH engine
9The removal and refitting procedures are
basically the same as described below for the
2.0 litre DOHC engine, except that the pump
is mounted on a bracket above the alternator
on the front left-hand side of the engine.
2.0 litre DOHC engine
10The pump is mounted on a bracket on the
front right-hand side of the cylinder block.
11Place a suitable container under the
pump, unscrew the fluid pipe unions, and
drain the fluid.
12Remove the drivebelt which also drives
the coolant pump and alternator.
13Prevent the pulley from rotating using a
strap wrench (which can be improvised using
an old drivebelt and a large socket and
wrench), and unscrew the three pulley
securing bolts. Withdraw the pulley.
14Unscrew the three pump securing bolts
from the front of the pump bracket, and the
single bolt from the rear of the bracket, and
withdraw the pump (see illustrations).
15Refitting is a reversal of removal, bearing
in mind the following points.
16Reconnect the fluid unions using new O-
rings.
17On completion, bleed the power steering
fluid circuit.
Note: New fluid hose O-rings will be required
when refitting.
Removal
1Clean around the hose unions on the
steering gear. Place a suitable container
beneath the steering gear, then remove the
single bolt securing the hoses to the pinion
housing, unscrew the hose unions and drain
the power steering fluid.
2Clean around the hose unions on the pump.
Place a suitable container beneath the pump,
unscrew the hose unions, and drain any
remaining fluid. Ensure that no fluid is allowed
to spill onto the alternator.3If the hoses are to be left disconnected for a
long period of time, plug the ends of the
hoses and the apertures in the steering gear
and pump, or cover them with masking tape
to prevent dirt ingress.
Refitting
4Refit in reverse order using new O-rings.
5On completion top-up the fluid and bleed
the system.
1Unscrew the filler cap from the power
steering pump reservoir and top-up the fluid
level to the maximum mark using the specified
fluid.
2Disconnect the low tension negative lead
from the ignition coil and crank the engine
several times for two second periods while
slowly turning the steering wheel from
lock-to-lock. Top-up the fluid level if
necessary and continue cranking the engine
until the fluid is free of air bubbles.
3Reconnect the coil lead and start the
engine. Check the system for leaks.
4Switch off the engine and refit the filler cap.
5Drive the vehicle for a few miles to warm up
the fluid and expel any remaining air, then
stop the engine and make a final fluid level
check.
1Remove the tie-rod end.
2Unscrew and remove the tie-rod end
locknut from the tie-rod.
3Remove the clips and slide the gaiter from
the tie-rod and steering gear.
4Slide the new gaiter over the tie-rod and
onto the steering gear. Where applicable,
make sure that the gaiter seats in the cut-outs
in the tie-rod and steering gear.
5Secure the gaiter with new clips.
6Refit the tie-rod end locknut to the tie-rod.
7Refit the tie-rod end.
Note: A balljoint separator tool will be
required for this operation.
Removal
1Loosen the relevant front roadwheel nuts,
apply the handbrake, jack up the front of the
vehicle and support on axle stands.
2Remove the roadwheel. On P100 models
mark the position of the roadwheel in relation
to one of the wheel studs before removal.
3Make alignment marks on the tie-rod and
tie-rod end, then loosen the locknut by a
quarter of a turn.
33Tie-rod end - removal and
refitting
32Steering gear rubber gaiter -
renewal
31Power steering fluid circuit
- bleeding
30Power steering fluid hoses
- removal and refitting
29Power steering pump
- removal and refitting
11•18Suspension and steering
29.3 Power steering pump rear support bar
bolts (arrowed)
29.14b Power steering pump rear securing
bolt29.14a Unbolt the power steering pump
pulley for access to the front pump
securing bolts (arrowed)