Pontiac tempest 1968 Service Manual page 584

S T E E R I N G 9-27
seal drag, when the worm gear is turned through
the center high point (Fig. 9-46). Total thrust
bearing adjustment, and seal drag not to exceed
14 In. lb. on Pontiac and Tempest, 16 in
Q
lb. on
Firebird.
c. Tighten pitman shaft adjusting screw lock
nut to 23 ft. lb. and re check adjustment,
14. Install flexible coupling on worm shaft and
tighten clamping bolt to 30 ft. lb. Be sure the scribe
marks are aligned.
I N S T A L L A T I O N O F S T E E R I N G G E A R
1. Align scribe marks on steering and worm shaft
flange with flexible coupling.
2. Position steering gear in car.
NOTE: Metal to metal contact between flanges
on worm shaft and steering shaft assembly will
transmit and amplify gear noise to drive.
3. Install steering housing to frame bolts and
tighten housing to frame bolts to 70 ft
0
lb. torque.
4. Install pitman arm and secure with lock washer
and nut. Tighten nut 140 ft. lb
0
torque.
5. Install two flange attaching nuts and lock wash­
ers and tighten to 20 ft. lb.
6. Be sure pins are properly positioned (Fig.
9-11). If pins are not positioned properly loosen
flexible coupling at worm shaft and reposition or
align steering column.
P O W E R STEERING
PERIODIC SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
Since the steering gear is constantly lubricated, it
is only necessary to periodically check the level in
the pump reservoir. See Specifications Section for
system capacity.
MINOR REPAIRS TO
S T E E R I N G G E A R
The following procedures may be performed with
the steering gear in the car.
Before making adjustments to the power steering
gear to correct conditions such as shimmy, hard or
loose steering, road shock, wander or weave; a check
should be made of front end alignment, shock ab­
sorbers, wheel balance, or for tight front wheel
bearings, loose steering rod ends or loose pitman
arm. Also, check diagnosis guide at the end of
Section 9, in the Pontiac Diagnosis Manual.
STEERING GEAR ADJUSTMENTS
CA UTION: Prior to checking gear make certain
that the steering shaft is not binding or tight in the
steering column. On cars with tilt column be sure
steering is in straight position and not tilted.
NOTE: All checks and adjustments must be made
in the order listed in step 3.
1. Raise vehicle and disconnect steering gear
connecting rod from pitman arm using tool J 5504-01.
2. Remove horn button from steering wheel.
3. With inch pound torque wrench attached to a
5/8"-12 point socket, measure through an angle not
to exceed 20° and record readings taken from the
following steering gear positions (Fig. 9-38).
NOTE: DO NOT use torque wrench having maxi­
mum torque reading of more than 100 lb
0
in. When
taking following torque readings, take a reading
pulling torque wrench to right and a reading pulling
torque wrench to left. Total both readings and
take one half of this total as average torque.
a. One and one half turns (Pontiac) or one turn
(Tempest and Firebird) off center high point. This
reading represents the thrust bearing preload plus
friction due to seals and bearings. It should not
exceed 7 in. lb. torque on Tempest, Firebird, and
Pontiac Catalina models without air conditioning,
8 in. lb. torque on all other Pontiac models. If the
reading is below 3 in. lb. torque, it may indicate
some lash in the thrust bearing.
NOTE: If reading for "a" is not in specification,
correct thrust bearing preload as follows: Loosen
adjuster plug lock nut, using a drift or similar
tool, and move flexible coupling (by turning steer­
ing wheel) as necessary to permit installation of
tool J 7624 on adjuster plug (Fig. 9-51). Tighten
plug to obtain proper bearing preload and retighten
adjuster plug lock nut.
b. One half turn off center high point. This
reading represents resistance from "a" above
plus worm to rack-piston preload as determined
by the size of the balls used in the rack-piston nut
and the concave high point ground on the worm.
This reading should be 0.5 to 3.0 in. lb. torque
higher than the reading in "a" (and a max, of 10
in. lbs. torque) for Tempest, Firebird and Catalina
models without air conditioning and 1.5 to 4.5 in.
lb. torque higher than the reading in "a" (and a
max. of 12.5 in. lb. torque) for all other Pontiac
models.
NOTE: If after obtaining proper thrust bearing
preload in "a" and torque reading in "b" is not