Steering Gear - Manual: Overhaul: Disassembly
- Place steering gear in a vise, clamping onto one mounting tab or a suitable 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, and remove 3 self-locking bolts holding side cover to the 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.CAUTION: DO NOT allow ball nut to run down to either end of the wormshaft as ball guide ends may be damaged.
- 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. Remove upper bearing from worm guide.
- Using screwdriver, pry lower bearing retainer from worm 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.