1) Disconnect pressure hose from power steering pump. Attach
Pressure Gauge (MB990662-01) and Adapters (MB990993-01 and MB990994-
01). See Fig. 2. Tighten fittings to 22-29 ft. lbs. (30-39 N.m).
2) Bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under
LUBRICATION . Turn wheel several times to bleed air from gauge. Start
engine and let idle. Place thermometer in reservoir. Check fluid
level. Add fluid as necessary.
3) When fluid temperature reaches 122-140
F (50-60C),
disconnect connector from P/S pressure switch. Connect ohmmeter across
switch terminals. Slowly close shut-off valve. Check pressure when
ohmmeter indicates switch has closed (continuity). Pressure should be
218-290 (15-20 N.m). Slowly open shut-off valve. Check pressure when
ohmmeter indicates switch has opened (no continuity). Pressure should
be 102-174 (7-12 N.m). Reinstall pressure hose. Do not twist hose or
let hose interfere with adjacent parts. Replace P/S pressure switch if
pressure is not within specification. Bleed system.
CAUTION: DO NOT keep shutoff valve closed more than 3 seconds at a
time. DO NOT keep steering wheel turned to full lock
position for more than 10 seconds at a time.
STEERING WHEEL TURNING FORCE
Stationary Test
1) Position vehicle on level surface. Place steering wheel in
straight-ahead position. Start engine and let idle. Using a spring
scale, measure steering wheel turning force clockwise and
counterclockwise.
2) On Montero, turning force should be 8.2 lbs. (3.7 kg) or
less. On Montero Sport, turning force should be 8.8 lbs. (3.9 kg) or
less. If turning force exceeds specification, check for loose or
damaged belt, insufficient fluid, air in power steering fluid, and
collapsed or twisted hoses. Repair or replace as necessary.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
IDLER ARM
Removal
Loosen relay rod-to-idler arm lock nut. Using Steering
Linkage Puller (MB991113 or MB990635), separate idler arm from relay
rod and remove relay rod-to-idler arm lock nut. Remove idler arm bolts
and nuts. Remove idler arm. On Montero, loosen, but DO NOT remove
idler arm-to-bracket nut. Press arm from bracket and remove nut and
arm.
Inspection
Check idler arm bushings for damage or wear. Check idler arm
ball stud for looseness.
Installation
1) Apply multipurpose grease to inside surface of bushing and
idler arm support shaft. Insert bushing in idler arm. Insert idler arm
support in idler arm.
2) Install washer (knurled side toward bushing) and NEW lock\
nut. Tighten lock nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
Place idler arm assembly in vise. Using a spring gauge, measure
turning resistance.
3) On all models, turning resistance should be 3-18 INCH lbs.
(.3-2.0 N.m). On Montero, if turning resistance is not within
specification, loosen or tighten lock nut to obtain proper resistance.
4) Install idler arm bolts and nuts. Install relay rod-to-
idler arm. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
POWER STEERING GEAR
Removal & Installation
1) Drain power steering fluid. See FLUID REPLACEMENT under
LUBRICATION . Remove steering shaft-to-steering gear clamp bolt.
Disconnect pressure and return hoses from steering gear.
2) Remove cotter pin and castle nut from pitman arm. Using
Puller (C-3894-A), separate pitman arm from relay rod.
3) Remove steering gear mounting nuts. Disconnect steering
shaft from steering gear. Remove steering gear. To install, reverse
removal procedure.
POWER STEERING PUMP & RESERVOIR
Removal
Drain power steering fluid. See FLUID REPLACEMENT under
LUBRICATION . Disconnect hoses from reservoir. Remove reservoir.
Disconnect hoses from pump. Loosen pump retaining bolts. Remove belt.
Remove pump and mounting bracket(s).
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Check power steering
pump bracket for slack. Tighten bracket (if necessary). Fill and bleed\
reservoir. See FLUID REPLACEMENT and HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under
LUBRICATION . Start engine and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock to
check for fluid leaks.
RELAY ROD
Removal
Remove inner tie rod end cotter pins and lock nuts. Separate
tie rod ends from relay rod. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from
idler arm and pitman arm. Using a puller, separate relay rod from
idler arm and pitman arm.
Installation
To install relay rod, reverse removal procedure. Ensure dust
covers are well greased and lower edge of covers are coated with
packing sealer. Tighten relay rod-to-idler arm and relay rod-to-pitman
arm castle nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Removal
1) Remove skid plate (if necessary). Remove cotter pins and
loosen lock nuts from tie rod ball studs at steering knuckle and relay
rod end.
2) Using Steering Linkage Puller (MB991113 or MB990635),
separate tie rod ends from knuckle and relay rod end and remove lock
nuts. Loosen tie rod adjusting sleeve lock nuts, and unscrew tie rod
ends.
Inspection
Check tie rod ends for damage and ball studs for looseness.
On Montero, measure ball stud starting torque. Torque should be 9-27
INCH lbs. (1.0-3.0 N.m). If ball stud starting torque exceeds
specification, replace tie rod.
Installation
1) Install "O" ring on ball socket. Grease inside of tie rod
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.
(chunking),
exposing cord .......... A ............ Require replacement.
Tread missing pieces
(chunking), not
exposing cord .......... 1 ............ Suggest replacement.
Tread separations A ............ Require replacement.
Tube in tubeless tire 3 .... (4) Suggest removal of tube.
Weather-checking ........ .. ......... No service required or
suggested.
Worn to tread wear
indicators ............. B ............ Require replacement.
( 1) - Determine and correct cause of irregular tire wear.
( 2) - If radials and bias or bias-belted ply tires are on the
same vehicle, the radials must be on the rear axle,
except for high-pressure temporary spares.
( 3) - Excessive is defined as enough to contribute to
performance problems. Match mounting may correct
run-out. If not, require replacement of appropriate
part. Refer to manufacturer's specifications.
( 4) - Most manufacturers do not recommend tubes in tubeless
tires. Inspect tire and wheel assembly to determine
the reason for a tube in tubeless tire. Recommendation
for repair or replacement should be based upon condition
of tires and/or wheel listed in these guidelines.
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VALVE STEMS
VALVE STEM INSPECTION \
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Condition Code Procedure
Bent .................... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Broken .................. A ........... Require replacement.
Cut, but not leaking .... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Deteriorated
(cracking, dry rot) .... 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Leaking ................. A . Require repair or replacement.
Missing ................. C ........... Require replacement.
Threads damaged ......... A . Require repair or replacement.
Threads stripped ........ A ........... Require replacement.
Valve cap missing ....... C .... Require replacement of cap.
Weather-checking ........ 1 ........... Suggest replacement.
Won't take air .......... A . Require repair or replacement.
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WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE
For conditions noted below, also check conditions of wheel
stud holes.
CAUTION: Proper lug nut torque is essential. Follow recommended
torque specifications and tightening sequence. DO NOT
lubricate threads unless specified by the vehicle
manufacturer.
WHEEL ATTACHMENT HARDWARE INSPECTION
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Condition Code Procedure
Bent .................... A ............ Require replacement.
Broken .................. A ........ ( 1) Require replacement.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
NOTE: See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in
WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.
WHEEL BEARING
Preload
1) Using Socket (MB990954) and torque wrench, tighten axle
lock nut to 119 ft. lbs. (162 N.m) on Montero, 94-145 ft. lbs. (127-
196 N.m) on Montero Sport. Loosen nut to 0 ft. lbs. (0 N.m). Retighte\
n
nut to 18 ft. lbs. (25 N.m).
2) Loosen nut 30-40 degrees on Montero, 30 degrees on Montero
Sport. Install lock washer. If lock washer hole is not aligned with
lock nut hole, lock nut may be rotated up to 20 degrees to obtain
alignment. After setting preload, check hub turning resistance and
axial play (4WD only).
Hub Turning Resistance & Axial Play (4WD Only)
1) Using dial indicator, check front hub axial play. Axial
play should be 0.002" (0.05 mm) or less. Using INCH-lb. torque wrench
or spring scale attached to wheel stud, measure hub turning
resistance. Turning resistance should be 1.1-4.0 lbs. (5-18 N) on
Montero or 0.9-4.3 lbs. (4-19 N) on Montero Sport if measured using
spring scale, or 2.6-11.3 INCH lbs. (0.3-1.3 N.m) on both models if
measured using torque wrench.
2) Adjust wheel bearing so turning resistance and axial play
are within specification. If turning resistance and axial play cannot
be adjusted to specification, check wheel bearing condition and
installation.
Drive Axle End Play (4WD Only)
Install drive axle shim and snap ring. Push drive shaft in
toward knuckle. Measure clearance between drive flange and shim with a
feeler gauge. If clearance is not 0.016-0.028" (0.4-0.7 mm) replace
shim to bring clearance into specification.
BALL JOINT CHECKING
Lower Ball Joint
Place ball joint in soft-jawed vise. Install dial indicator
with stem resting on end of ball joint stud. Measure ball joint stud
end play. Replace ball joint if end play exceeds 0.012" (0.3 mm). For
ball joint replacement, see LOWER BALL JOINT under
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION .
Upper Ball Joint
1) Disconnect ball joint from steering knuckle. Place nut on
ball joint stud. Using INCH-lb. torque wrench, measure starting torque
required to rotate ball joint stud.
2) Starting torque should be 7-30 INCH lbs. (0.8-3.5 N.m).
Replace ball joint if starting torque is not within specification. For
ball joint replacement, see UPPER BALL JOINT under
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION .
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
AXLE HUB ASSEMBLY
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