Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1219

1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
Fig. 9 - 8 2 Removing End Cover Retaining Ring
CAUTION: DO NOT turn stub shaft any fur-
ther than absolutely necessary to remove the
end plug or balls from rack-piston and worn
circuit may escape and lay loose inside the rack-
piston chamber.
Remove the rack-piston end plug as shown in Fig.
9-83.
NOTE: To aid in loosening end plug tap end
plug with a brass drift.
Remove the pitman shaft and side cover as follows:
a. Loosen the pitman shaft (lash) over-center adjust-
ing screw locknut and remove the 4 side cover
attaching bolts and lock washers.
b. Rotate the side cover until the rack-piston and
pitman shaft teeth are visible.
Fig. 9 - 8 4 Removing Rack-Piston
c. Turn the flexible coupling flange until the pitman
shaft teeth are centered in the housing opening.
d. Tap the pitman shaft with a soft hammer and
remove the pitman shaft and side cover from the
housing.
e. Remove the side cover "0" ring and discard.
5. Remove the rack-piston as follows:
a. Insert ball retainer tool J 7539 into the rack-pis-
ton bore with pilot of tool seated in the end of the
worm (Fig. 9-84).
b. Turn stub shaft counter-clockwise while holding
tool tightly against worm. The rack-piston will be
forced onto the tool.
c. Remove the rack-piston with ball retainer tool J
7539 from gear housing.
6. Remove the adjuster plug as follows:
a. Loosen the adjuster plug locknut and remove.
b. Remove adjuster plug assembly with spanner J
7624 (Fig. 9-85).
Fig. 9 - 8 3 Removing Rack-Piston End Plug Fig. 9 - 8 5 Removing Adjuster Plug