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 of the front wheel spindle tie rod.
NOTE: An assistant may be needed for removal of the RH front wheel spindle tie rod.
Use (A) Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool to remove the (B) front wheel spindle tie rod.
CAUTION: Thoroughly remove any abrasive material. This material is extremely harmful to the steering gear.
Thoroughly clean and inspect all the parts to be reused. Replace the parts as necessary.
Installation
NOTE: Hold the rack gear using the 20 mm crowfoot. Use Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool to install the front wheel spindle tie rod.
Lubricate the rack gear teeth with Steering Gear Grease C3AZ-19578-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M1C87-A.
Check the front wheel spindle tie rod function by moving it in various directions.
Lubricate the front wheel spindle tie rod inner groove with Steering Gear Grease C3AZ-19578-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M1C87-A where the front suspensionsteering ball stud dust seal is clamped.
Check that the front suspensionsteering ball stud dust seal is positioned correctly over the steering gear housing bead at the large Inside Diameter (ID) and is in the front wheel spindle tie rod groove at the small ID.
Check that the front suspensionsteering ball stud dust seal is not twisted and the breather tube is securely inserted into the breather nipple at both front suspension steering ball stud dust seals.
Install the inner and outer front suspensionsteering ball stud dust seal clamps.
Apply Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and
Dielectric Compound D7AZ-19A331-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M1C171-A to the front wheel spindle tie rod threads and install the tie rod end jam nut.
