Power Steering Gears - SAGINAW Recirculating Ball: Overhaul: Disassembly
- Place steering gear in a vise, clamping onto one mounting tab or holding fixture. Worm shaft should be in a horizontal position. Loosen over-center preload adjuster lock nut, and turn adjuster a few turns out. Loosen lock nut on worm shaft adjuster, and turn adjuster out a few turns.
- Rotate worm shaft from stop to stop, counting number of turns. Then turn shaft back 1/2 the number of turns to center sector shaft. Place a pan under assembly to catch oil. Remove 3 self-locking bolts holding side cover to housing.
- Tap on end of sector shaft with a mallet and lift side cover and sector shaft assembly from gear housing. If sector does not clear opening easily, turn worm shaft by hand until sector can be removed. Remove worm shaft adjuster and lock nut assembly with lower worm shaft bearing.
- Remove worm shaft and ball nut assembly from housing while housing is in a horizontal position to prevent ball nut from running down worm shaft. If ball nut does run down worm shaft with any speed, damage to ball guides will result when nut hits stop. Remove upper bearing from worm guide.
- Using screwdriver, pry lower bearing retainer from worn adjuster assembly and remove bearing. Remove over-center adjuster lock nut and screw. Slide screw and shim out slot in end of sector shaft. Pry out and discard both sector shaft and worm shaft seals.