end dust cover. Coat lower edge of cup with packing sealer. Install
tie rod ends into adjusting sleeves.
2) Measure center-to-center distance between tie rod studs
for both tie rod assemblies. Adjust center-to-center distance to
specification. See TIE ROD INSTALLATION LENGTH table.
3) An equal number of threads should be visible on each side
of adjusting sleeve. Install tie rod ends in steering knuckle and
relay rod. Install tie rod end castle nuts and NEW cotter pins.
Tighten castle nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Adjust toe-in. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article
in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.
TIE ROD INSTALLATION LENGTH
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Application In. (mm)\
Montero .............................................. 12.05 (306.0)\
Montero Sport ........................................... 12.0 (305)\
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OVERHAUL
POWER STEERING GEAR
Disassembly
1) Scribe mating marks on pitman arm and cross shaft. Remove
pitman arm nut. Using a puller, remove pitman arm. Drain power
steering fluid. Remove side cover bolts. See Fig. 3. Loosen adjusting
bolt lock nut, and screw in adjusting bolt so side cover raises
slightly.
2) With mainshaft and cross shaft placed in straight-ahead
position, tap bottom of cross shaft with plastic hammer. Remove cross
shaft and side cover as an assembly. Remove side cover from cross
shaft by turning adjusting bolt.
3) Remove valve housing and rack piston as an assembly by
turning rack piston counterclockwise. See Fig. 3. Carefully remove
rack piston from mainshaft without losing balls inside rack piston.
4) Remove cross shaft oil seal from gearbox housing. Put rack
piston in soft jawed vise. Using Spanner Wrench (MB991367) and Pin Set\
(MB991394), remove lock nut. Remove mainshaft while applying pressure
to bearing race to prevent balls from falling out. Drive out bearing
and oil seal.
NOTE: DO NOT remove cross shaft "U" packing at rear of needle
bearing unless fluid leakage is found coming from adjusting
bolt threads. If leakage exists, replace "U" packing.
seal and spacer from steering knuckle.
Inspection
Inspect steering knuckle for cracks. Inspect spindle for wear
and heat damage.
Installation
1) If needle bearing needs replacement, drive bearing from
steering knuckle. Use Bearing Driver (MB990956-01) and Handle
(MB9909938-01) to install NEW needle bearing until it is even with
steering knuckle end face.
NOTE: DO NOT reuse steering knuckle needle bearing if it is
removed.
2) Lubricate bearing roller surface and spacer-to-steering
knuckle contact areas. Install spacer with chamfered side toward
inside of vehicle. Using Seal Installer (MB990985-01) and handle,
install seal in steering knuckle until seal is even with steering
knuckle end face. Apply grease to seal lip area and inside of seal. To
complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
LOWER BALL JOINT
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove skid plate (if
equipped). Remove wheel assembly. Mark torsion bar adjusting nut for
reassembly reference. Release torsion bar tension.
2) Loosen, but DO NOT remove, lower ball joint stud nut.
Using Steering Linkage Puller (MB991406), separate ball joint from
steering knuckle. Remove ball joint stud nut. Remove ball joint-to-
lower control arm bolts. Remove ball joint.
Installation
Lubricate ball joint. To complete installation, reverse
removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
LOWER CONTROL ARM
Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
front skid plate and undercover (if equipped). Remove bump stop and
bump stop bracket. Remove heat shield (if equipped). Remove torsion
bar. See TORSION BAR . Loosen, but DO NOT remove, lower ball joint-to-
steering knuckle nut. Using Steering Linkage Puller (MB991406),
separate lower ball joint from steering knuckle. Support with cord
tied to nearby part.
2) Remove stabilizer bar bolt from control arm. Remove shock
absorber mounting bolts. Remove ball joint stud nut from steering
knuckle. Remove control arm shaft. See Fig. 1. Remove torque arm.
Remove bump stopper and lower control arm. Remove lower ball joint
from lower control arm.
Inspection
1) Inspect control arm for cracks and deformation. Check ball
joints. See BALL JOINT CHECKING under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.
2) Inspect ball joint dust covers for damage. Replace damaged
dust covers. Inspect control arm bushing and frame bracket bushing for
damage. Replace bushings if necessary.
NOTE: Differential carrier may require detachment in order to