Thrust Bearing Preload
- Remove steering gear from vehicle. See removal & installation section. Rotate gear lock-to-lock several times to drain fluid. Loosen adjuster plug lock nut. Using spanner wrench, turn adjuster plug clockwise until plug is seated in housing. Torque should be approximately 20 ft. lbs. (27 N.m).
- Index mark housing opposite one hole in adjuster plug. See Fig 1
. Measure about 1/2" counterclockwise from mark. Mark housing. Rotate plug counterclockwise until hole in adjuster aligns with second mark.
- Tighten lock nut. Ensure adjuster plug remains in position. Attach INCH lb. torque wrench to end of stub shaft. Turn stub shaft to right stop, then back 1/4 turn.
- Using torque wrench, measure rotational torque required to turn shaft. Reading should be taken with handle of torque wrench near vertical while turning it counterclockwise at an even rate. Reading should be 4-10 INCH lbs. (.4-1.1 N.m). If not, repeat procedure.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.