Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Assembly Procedure
- Install the O-ring seal (3) and the teflon ring (2).
- Lubricate both parts with power steering fluid.
- Install the worm shaft (14) to the rack piston (4) outside of the steering gear housing (9).
Fully seat the worm shaft to the rack piston.
- Align the worm shaft spiral groove with the rack piston ball return guide hole (1).
- Lubricate the rack piston balls with power steering fluid.
- Insert the rack piston balls through the ball return guide hole (1) while turning worm shaft (2) counterclockwise in order to install the rack piston balls into the rack piston. Install the black and the silver rack piston balls alternately into the rack piston and the ball guide to maintain the rack piston to the worm shaft preload.
- Install the remaining rack piston balls (3) into the ball guide (1) using grease at each end (2) to retain the rack piston balls (3).
- Install the ball guide (3) to the rack piston (2).
- Install the ball guide clamp (4).
- Refer to Fastener Notice
.
Install the screws (5).
Tighten
Tighten the screws (5) to 6 N.m (53 lb in).
- Insert J 21552 into the bore of the rack piston while turning the worm shaft counterclockwise. The turning of the worm shaft forces the rack piston onto J 21552 . The rack piston balls remain in place.
- Install the flat races (2, 4) and the thrust bearing (3) onto the worm shaft (1).
- Install the worm shaft (4) to the steering gear housing (3).
- Install the spool valve. Refer to Steering Gear Valve Replacement - Off Vehicle (700 Gear) .
- Install the rack piston (2) to the worm (4) from J 21552 using J 8947 Rack Piston Teflon Ring Compressor to compress the seals.
- Hold J 21552 tightly against the worm shaft (4).
- Turn the stub shaft clockwise until the rack piston (2) is seated on the worm shaft (4).
- Remove J 21552 from the rack piston (1).
- Install the rack piston plug (1).
Tighten
Tighten the rack piston plug to 150 N.m (111 lb ft).
- Install the housing end plug. Refer to Steering Gear Housing Plug Replacement - Off Vehicle .
- Install the Pitman shaft seals and bearing. Refer to Steering Gear Pitman Shaft Seal and Bearing Replacement - Off Vehicle (700 Gear) , Steering Gear Pitman Shaft Seal and Bearing Replacement - Off Vehicle (670 Gear) .
- To adjust the steering gear; refer to one of the following procedures:
In order to avoid injury and/or component damage, install all of the rack piston balls into the rack piston. Install the rack piston balls in the correct order. If you do not correctly install all of the rack piston balls, the steering gear may not operate or may wear out quickly.
Do not adjust the worm shaft until all components are installed onto the steering gear housing.
Do not adjust the Pitman shaft until all components are installed onto the steering gear housing.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.