Page 1457 of 1938

CAUTION: Proper torque on the cradle plate to
suspension cradle mounting bolts is very impor-
tant.
(8) Install cradle plate on front suspension cradle
and install the 10 cradle plate to cradle attaching
bolts and nuts (Fig. 8). Tighten all attaching bolts to
a torque of 165 N´m (123 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install the bracket (Fig. 9) attaching the power
steering fluid tubes to the front suspension cradle.
CAUTION:
(10) Install the power steering fluid return hose on
the steel tube at the front suspension cradle (Fig. 4).
(11) Install a screw type hose clamp on the power
steering hose to steel tube connection.Be sure hose
clamp is installed on return tube past the upset
bead on the tube.Tighten the screw clamp to a
torque of 2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
CAUTION: The protective heat shield sleeves must
cover the entire rubber hose and hose to tube con-
nection portion of both the power steering fluid
pressure and return hoses (Fig. 4). This is required
to prevent the power steering hoses from being
overheated.
(12) When used, properly position the protective
heat sleeves on the power steering hoses. Then, tie
strap the heat sleeves to the power steering hoses to
keep them in their proper position.
(13) Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on
vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 129
N´m (95 ft. lbs.).
(14) Lower the vehicle to a level were the interior
of vehicle is accessible.
(15) Using the intermediate coupler, turn the front
wheels of the vehicle to the left until the intermedi-
ate coupler shaft is properly aligned with the steer-
ing column coupler. Assemble the steering column
shaft coupler (Fig. 3) onto the steering gear interme-
diate coupler. Install steering column coupler to
intermediate shaft retaining pinch bolt (Fig. 3).
Tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 N´m (250
in. lbs.).
CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid
in the power steering system. Only use Mopar,
Power Steering Fluid or an exact equivalent prod-
uct.
(16) Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the
proper level.
(17) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.
Then turn the engine off.(18) Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above pro-
cedure until the fluid level remains constant after
running the engine.
(19) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(20) Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering
wheel right and left, lightly contacting the wheel
stops. Then turn the engine off.
(21) Add power steering fluid if necessary.
(22) Lower the vehicle and turn the steering wheel
slowly from lock to lock.
(23) Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and
refill as required.
(24) If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehi-
cle to stand a few minutes and repeat the above pro-
cedure.
(25) Fill power steering reservoir to correct level
with Mopart, Power Steering Fluid, or equivalent.
(26) Adjust toe (Refer to Group 2 Suspension).
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
STEERING GEAR INNER TIE ROD BOOT
DISASSEMBLE
NOTE: The removal and installation of the inner tie
rod boot must be performed with the steering gear
assembly removed from the vehicle.
(1) Loosen the inner to outer tie rod jam nut (Fig.
15). Remove the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod.
(2) Remove nut attaching the outer tie rod end to
the steering knuckle (Fig. 16).Nut is to be
removed from tie rod end using the following
procedure, hold tie rod end stud with an 11/32
socket, while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
Fig. 15 Inner To Outer Tie Rod Jam Nut
NSSTEERING 19 - 31
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
Page 1458 of 1938

(3) Remove the tie rod end from the steering
knuckle using Remover, Special Tool MB-991113 (Fig.
17) or MB-990635.
(4) Remove jam nut (Fig. 15) from inner tie rod.
(5) Using pliers expand tie rod boot, to inner tie
rod clamp (Fig. 18) and remove from steering gear
boot.
(6) Remove inner tie rod boot to steering gear
clamp (Fig. 19).
NOTE: After removing inner boot clamps. Use a
very small screwdriver to lift boot from its retaining
groove in steering gear. Then the boot can be
removed from steering gear.
ASSEMBLE
(1) Install tie rod boot to steering gear clamp on
tie rod boot.
(2) Install tie rod boot and clamp on inner tie rod.
(3) Install tie rod boot over steering gear housing
and onto the end of the breather tube (Fig. 19).
(4) Crimp inner tie rod boot to steering gear clamp
using Crimper, Special Tool C4975A (Fig. 20). When
installing clamp, Special Tool C4975A must have bot-
tom bolt tightened until their is no gap between the
2 bars of the tool (Fig. 20)
(5) Lubricate inner tie rod boot groove with sili-
cone type lubricant, then install outer boot seal to
inner tie rod clamp (Fig. 18). (Clamp will have to be
loosened for toe adjustment.)
(6) Install inner to outer tie rod jam nut (Fig. 15)
on inner tie rod.
(7) Install outer tie rod on inner tie rod. Do not
tighten jam nut.
(8) Install tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut
onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod
Fig. 16 Removing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
Fig. 17 Tie Rod End Removal From Steering
Knuckle
Fig. 18 Tie Rod Boot To Tie Rod Clamp
Fig. 19 Tie Rod Boot To Steering Gear Clamp
19 - 32 STEERINGNS
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)
Page 1459 of 1938

end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steering
knuckle attaching nut (Fig. 17). Then using a crow-
foot and 11/32 socket (Fig. 21), torque tie rod end
attaching nut to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See Wheel
Alignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).
(9) Make toe adjustment by turning inner tie rod.
(10) Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to
75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Lubricate tie rod boot
groove with silicone type lubricant, before installing
outer boot clamp, making sure boot is not twisted.
OUTER TIE ROD END
DISASSEMBLE
(1) Loosen inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam nut
(Fig. 22).
(2) Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to
steering knuckle (Fig. 23).Nut is to be removed
from tie rod end using the following procedure,
hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while
loosening and removing nut with wrench.
(3) Remove the tie rod end stud from steering
knuckle arm, using Remover, Special Tool,
MB-991113 (Fig. 24) or MB-990635.
(4) Remove outer tie rod end from inner tie rod by
un-threading it from the inner tie rod.
Fig. 20 Installing Tie Rod Boot To Steering Gear
Clamp
Fig. 21 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
Fig. 22 Inner To Outer Tie Rod Jam Nut
Fig. 23 Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
NSSTEERING 19 - 33
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)
Page 1460 of 1938

ASSEMBLE
(1) Install outer tie rod onto inner tie rod.Make
sure jam nut (Fig. 22) is on inner tie rod.
(2) Do not tighten jam nut.
(3) Install tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut
onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod
end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steering
knuckle attaching nut (Fig. 23). Then using a crow-
foot and 11/32 socket (Fig. 25), torque tie rod end
attaching nut to 54 N´m (40 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See Wheel
Alignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).
(4) Adjust the front Toe setting on the vehicle.
Refer to the Toe Setting Procedure in Front Suspen-
sion Service Procedures in this group of the service
manual. Refer to the Specifications Section at the
end of this group for the desired front Toe specifica-
tion.
(5) Tighten tie rod jam nut (Fig. 22) to 55 N´m (75
ft. lbs.) torque.(6) Adjust the steering gear to inner tie rod boots
at inner tie rod if they became twisted during Toe
adjustment.
SPECIFICATIONS
STEERING GEAR FASTENER TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
STEERING GEAR:
To Suspension Cradle Bolts. . . .183 N´m (135 ft. lbs.)
Tie Rod To Steering
Knuckle Nut...............54N´m(40ft.lbs.)
Outer To Inner Tie Rod
JamNut..................75N´m(55ft.lbs.)
Power Steering Hose
Tube Nuts...............31N´m(275 in. lbs.)
Coupler Pinch Bolt...........28N´m(250 in. lbs.)
SUSPENSION CRADLE:
Cradle Plate To Cradle
Attaching Bolts...........165 N´m (123 ft. lbs.)
Fig. 24 Tie Rod End Removal From Steering
KnuckleFig. 25 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
19 - 34 STEERINGNS
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)
Page 1461 of 1938
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR
Remover Tie Rod End MB±991113
Remover/Installer Steering Shaft Roll Pin 6831A
P/S System Analyzer 6815
Installer Boot Clamp C-4975A
NSSTEERING 19 - 35
Page 1462 of 1938

STEERING COLUMN
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
STEERING COLUMN DESCRIPTION......... 36
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
STEERING COLUMN..................... 38
SERVICE PROCEDURES
STEERING COLUMN SERVICE PROCEDURE
WARNINGS........................... 38REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY............ 38
SPECIFICATIONS
STEERING COLUMN FASTENER TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS...................... 45
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
STEERING COLUMN DESCRIPTION
The steering column (Fig. 1) has been designed to
be serviced only as a complete assembly, if a compo-
nent of the steering column is defective. The only
replaceable components of the steering columnassembly are the key cylinder, ignition switch, multi-
function switch, clockspring, halo lamp, speed control
switches, driver airbag, trim shrouds and steering
wheel. These replaceable components of the steering
column can be serviced without requiring removal of
the steering column from the vehicle.
Fig. 1 Steering Column Assembly Components
19 - 36 STEERINGNS
Page 1463 of 1938
Steering Column And Steering System Components
NSSTEERING 19 - 37
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
Page 1464 of 1938

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
STEERING COLUMN
For diagnosis of conditions relating to the steering
column, refer to the steering system diagnosis charts,
in the diagnosis and testing section at the beginning
of this group.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
STEERING COLUMN SERVICE PROCEDURE
WARNINGS
WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY SERVICE
PROCEDURES THAT INVOLVES REMOVING THE
AIR BAG. REMOVE AND ISOLATE THE NEGATIVE
(-) BATTERY CABLE (GROUND) FROM THE VEHI-
CLE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO
DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO
THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG
DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
WARNING: THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL
THE AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY
NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. FAILURE TO DO SO
COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF
THE AIR BAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGI-
NALLY USED FOR THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS,
HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFI-
CALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.
THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUB-
STITUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS
NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTEN-
ERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR
FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS BOOKS.
BEFORE SERVICING A STEERING COLUMN
EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG, REFER TO GROUP
8M, ELECTRICAL FOR PROPER AND SAFE SER-
VICE PROCEDURES.
NOTE: Safety goggles should be worn at all times
when working on steering columns.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable
from the battery, before servicing any column com-
ponent.CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
To service the steering wheel and its components
or the air bag, refer to Group 8M, Restraint Systems.
Follow all WARNINGS.
To service the switches, refer to the appropriate
section of Group 8, Electrical.
To replace the steering column assembly, refer to
the steering column removal procedure.
REMOVE
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in thestraight aheadposition before beginning the
column removal procedure.
(2) Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the
battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.
(3) Remove the screws attaching the lower steer-
ing column cover to the instrument panel (Fig. 2).
Remove the lower trim panel from the lower instru-
ment panel.
(4) Remove the park brake pedal release cable
from the park brake release lever (Fig. 3).
(5) Remove the 10 bolts attaching the steering col-
umn cover liner (Fig. 4) to the instrument panel.
Remove the steering column cover liner from the
lower instrument panel.
(6) Rotate key cylinder to the lock position and
remove key. Rotate the steering wheel a half turn to
the left until the steering column lock engages keep-
ing the steering column in the locked position (Fig.
5).
Fig. 2 Lower Steering Column Cover Attachment
Locations
19 - 38 STEERINGNS