Manual Steering Gear Service

1. Disassemble manual steering gear in numbered sequence shown noting the following:
a. Use torque wrench socket tool No. MB990607, or equivalent, to remove rack support cover.




b. Remove rack from steering gear housing in direction shown. If rack is pulled out in opposite direction, rack threads may damage gear box bushing.
2. Reverse procedure to assemble, noting the following:



a. Press oil seal into top cover using seal installation tools as shown.



b. Lubricate and seal steering gear components as shown.
c. When installing outer tie rod ends, thread in until distance between end of tie rod boot and inside of outer locknut is 7.38 inches. Do not tighten locknut fully until gear box is installed and toe-in is adjusted.
3. Adjust total pinion preload as follows:
a. Position rack at centered position and tighten rack support cover to specifications.
b. Using torque wrench tool No. MB991006, or equivalent, rotate pinion shaft clockwise at one rotation every 4-6 seconds.
c. Return support cover 30°-60° and adjust preload torque to 3-12 inch lbs., then lock rack support cover with locknut.