Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual page 1398

AN
GEAR
DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
GEAR
DESCRIPTION
A rack and pinion steering gears (Fig. 1) is made
up of two main components, the pinon shaft and the
rack. The gear cannot be adjusted or internally ser-
viced. If a malfunction or a fluid leak occurs, the gear
must be replaced as an assembly. If a boot seal
becomes damaged, the steering gear must be
removed to replace the boot seal.
Fig. 1 Rack & Pinion Steering Gear
1 - TIE ROD
2 - TIE ROD
3 - TIE ROD END
4 - BOOTS
5 - TIE ROD END
OPERATION
The steering column shaft is attached to the gear
pinion. The rotation of the pinion moves the gear
rack from side-to-side. This lateral action of the rack
pushes and pulls the tie rods to change the direction
of the front wheels.
GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SPECIAL TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
REMOVAL - 2WD
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the nuts from the tie rod ends.
(3) Separate tie rod ends from the knuckles with
Puller C-3894-A (Refer to 19 - STEERING/LINKAGE/
TIE ROD END - REMOVAL) (Fig. 2).
1 - TOOL C-3894-A
2 - BALL STUD
3 - SEAL
4 - TIE-ROD END
5 - LOCKNUT
Fig. 2 Tie Rod End Puller
GEAR 19 - 13
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