Assembling the steering mechanism of vehicles produced since May 1983

Clean and carefully check the technical condition of all parts. Install the guide bushing into the steering box. Apply a thin layer of semi-fluid grease used for the steering gear to the rack and feed it into the crankcase. Set the rack to the middle position, fill the depressions between the teeth of the drive gear with grease and install the gear with the bearing in the crankcase. Make sure that the pinion flat is perpendicular to the thrust plug and points towards the part of the crankcase where it is installed. Apply sealant type EM-4G-14 or SPM-4G-9112F to the threaded part of the thrust nut, tighten it with tool 13.009 A and drill around the circumference onto the steering box.

NOTE: Because the rack teeth are specially shaped, the rack must be centered to adjust the stop.

Install the stop and spring in the crankcase of the mechanism, apply a sealant of the type «Loctite»» on the thread of the plug and, using tool 13.009 A, tighten it to a torque of 4.0–5.0 kgf·m. wrap it, then release it by 60-70°. Using special sleeve 13.004 and dynamometer 15.041, measure the moment of resistance to turning the drive gear, as shown in fig. 5.8.



To do this, turn the drive gear counterclockwise by 180°, then clockwise by 360°and note the torque value. Again, turning the gear counterclockwise by 180°, using the stop plug, adjust the moment of resistance to turning within 0.3-1.3 kgf·m. After adjustment, punch out the cork at three points around the circumference. Move the rack to the extreme position and clamp the crankcase in a vice with soft metal pads. Install and tighten the axle joints. To install previously removed hinges, use a special key. Spare parts tie rods may have flats on the axle balls to facilitate installation. Make sure the tie rods are in position prior to disassembly. Tighten the pivot nuts until the pivot points align with the groove on the tie rods. Loosen the pivot nuts on the steering box housing.

NOTE: Do not tighten the pivot nuts unless the mechanism case is clamped in a vise to avoid damage to the drive gear.

Apply a thin layer of grease to the contact surfaces of the protective covers to the steering rods and crankcase. Install the protective covers and make sure that they are in the grooves. Pour 120 cm³ of Ford specification SQM-2C-9003-FF oil into the rack tube and put 70 cm³ Ford SAM-1 C-9106-AA semi-fluid grease into the crankcase steering mechanism.

NOTE: Tie rod diameters are available from 11.8mm to 13.3mm. Make sure that the protective covers are suitable for the diameter of the rods, otherwise the tightness will not be ensured or the protective covers will break. Install new screw clamps.

Put SMIC 10 212 A grease into the dirt ring and install the drive gear cover.