Pontiac tempest 1968 Service Manual page 580

STEERING 9-23
ADJUSTING SCREW
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F i g . 9-37 Adjusting Pitman and Ball Nut Backlash
correctly, pitman shaft adjusting screw should be
turned clockwise until a pull equal to worm bearing
preload plus 7 in, lb. is required to turn the wheel
through center.
Total thrust bearing adjustment, pitman shaft ad­
justment, and drag not to exceed 14 in. lb. on Pontiac,
Tempest and 16 in. lb. on Firebird.
2. Tighten pitman shaft adjusting screw lock nut
to 23 ft. lb. torque and re check adjustment.
3. Reassemble steering connecting rod to pitman
arm. Set spokes of steering wheel in straight ahead
position. If road wheels are not straight ahead, ad­
just steering tie rods.
REMOVAL OF STEERING GEAR
1. Raise vehicle and disconnect pitman arm from
pitman shaft using 5504-01,
2. Disconnect lower steering shaft flange from
flexible coupling.
3. Remove three steering gear housing to frame
bolts and withdraw gear from car.
DISASSEMBLE STEERING GEAR
(Fig.
9 - 3 9 )
Disassemble and assemble steering gear and sub­
assemblies on a clean work bench, preferably while
the assembly is mounted on holding fixture (J 5205
or J 6448-01).
CAUTION: DO NOT clamp housing in vise. Clean­
liness is of utmost importance; therefore, bench,
tools, and parts must be kept clean at all times.
Before disassembling gear, thoroughly clean ex­
terior with suitable solvent and drain as much fluid
as possible.
1. Mount steering gear on holding fixture J 5205.
2. Rotate wormshaft with flexible coupling until
coupling is in center of travel. Remove three side
cover screws and adjusting screw nut.
3. Remove side cover and gasket by turning ad­
justing screw clockwise through cover (Fig. 9-40).
4. Remove adjusting screw from slot in end of
pitman shaft. Make sure shim found on adjusting
screw remains with screw (Fig. 9-41).
5. Remove pitman shaft from housing using care
that threads do not damage seal in housing.
6. Loosen worm bearing adjuster lock nut with
brass drift and remove adjuster and lower bearing.
7. Scribe a mark on flexible coupling and worm
shaft. Remove coupling from shaft.
8. Push worm and shaft assembly, with ball nut
assembly, through bottom of housing and remove
upper bearing.
9. Clean grease from worm and shaft assembly
and also from inside gear housing.
10. Remove ball nut return guide clamp by remov­
ing three screws, remove guides, turn ball nut over
and remove balls. Rotating shaft slowly from side
to side will aid in removing balls.
11. Remove ball nut from worm.
NOTE: Unless all balls are removed nut cannot
be removed.
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
1. Remove gear housing from holding fixture.
2. Wash all parts in clean kerosene or other
suitable solvent.
F i g . 9-38 Checking Steering G e a r Adjustment