Your Vehicle: 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 L4-2.0L DOHC VIN 3
 
Vehicle » Steering and Suspension » Steering » Steering Gear » Service and Repair  
 
 
  Service and Repair  
 

Removal

  1. Turn the key to the RUN position.

  

  1. Remove the (A) nuts and remove the (B) steering column tube boot and the (C) inner steering column tube boot.

  

  1. Remove the steering column input shaft coupling to steering gear input shaft pinch bolt.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle.

  

  1. Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
1 Remove the lug nuts.
2 Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.

  

  1. Remove and discard the (A) cotter pin from the (B) tie rod end nut and remove the nut.

  

  1. Use (A) Tie Rod End Separator to separate the (B) front wheel knuckle from the (C) tie rod end.

  

  1. Remove the (A) six bolts and the (B) RH lower splash shield.

  

  1. Remove the (A) bolts and the (B) crossmember.

  

  1. Disconnect the power steering return hose from the steering gear.
    • Cap the power steering return hose and the steering gear.

  

  1. Disconnect the power steering pressure hose from the steering gear.
    • Cap the power steering pressure hose and the steering gear.

  

  1. Remove the strap holding the hoses to the steering gear and discard.
  2. On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, remove the nut and disconnect the transmission gearshift rod and clevis from the transaxle.
  3. On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, remove the extension bar nut and disconnect the gearshift lever stabilizer bar and support from the transaxle.

  

  1. Remove the steering gear mounting brackets.
1 Remove the two nuts from each bracket.
2 Remove the steering gear mounting brackets.

  

  1. Remove the (A) pushpin and position the (B) RH boot shield aside.
  2. Remove the steering gear from the RH side of the vehicle.

  

  1. Install the (A) steering gear into (B) Steering Gear Holding Fixture and Head Mounting Fixture.
  2. Clean the exterior of the steering gear with solvent. If necessary, drain excess hydraulic fluid.
  3. Check the fluid passages for obstructions and leaks.
  4. Inspect the power steering gear housing for cracks or other damage. If necessary, replace the steering gear.
  5. Verify that the power steering gear input shaft bearing rotates freely. If necessary, replace the steering gear.

  

  1. Place alignment marks on both (A) tie rod ends, the (B) tie rod end jam nuts and the (C) front wheel spindle tie rods.

  

  1. Remove the (A) tie rod ends and the (B) tie rod end jam nuts.

  

  1. Remove the two front suspension steering ball stud dust seals.
1 Remove the inner and outer clamps.
2 Remove the two front suspension steering ball stud dust seals.

  

  1. CAUTION: Place the steering gear at the center position. Use a 20 mm crowfoot on the flat of the rack gear to resist rotation and prevent damage during removal and installation.

Use (A) Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool to remove the (B) front wheel spindle tie rods.

Installation

  

  1. Use (A) Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool to install the (B) front wheel spindle tie rods.

  

  1. Install the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals and clamps.
  2. Thread the tie rod end jam nuts onto the front wheel spindle tie rod.
  3. Thread the tie rod ends onto the front wheel spindle tie rod. Line up alignment marks.

  

  1. Tighten the tie rod end jam nuts.

  

  1. Remove the (A) steering gear from (B) Steering Gear Holding Fixture and Head Mounting Fixture.
  2. Install the steering gear from the RH side of vehicle.
  3. Align the steering column input shaft coupling and the steering gear input shaft.

  

  1. Install the steering gear mounting brackets and nuts.
  2. On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, install the gearshift lever stabilizer bar and support.
  3. On vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle, install the transmission gearshift and clevis.

  

  1. NOTE: Install new teflon seals 388898-S on the power steering pressure hose fittings before connecting the hose.

NOTE: Make sure that the threads are clean and free of debris before connecting the hose.

Connect the power steering pressure hose on the steering gear.

  

  1. NOTE: Make sure that the threads are clean and free of debris before connecting the hose.

Connect the power steering return hose to the steering gear.

  

  1. Install a new strap to secure the hoses to the steering gear.

  

  1. Install the crossmember.
  2. Position the RH boot shield and install the pushpin.

  

  1. Install the RH splash shield and the six bolts.

  

  1. Install both (A) tie rod ends into the (B) front wheel knuckles.

  

  1. NOTE: If necessary, tighten (never loosen) the tie rod end nut until the castellations line up with the cotter pin hole.

Install the tie rod end nut and a new cotter pin.

  

  1. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
  2. Lower the vehicle.

  

  1. Install the steering column input shaft coupling to steering gear input shaft pinch bolt.

  

  1. Install the inner steering column tube boot and the steering column tube boot.
1 Position the inner steering column tube boot.
2 Position the steering column tube boot.
3 Install the five bolts.
  1. Fill the power steering system.
  2. Align the front wheels to specifications.