Outer Tie Rod Socket End Play Measurement; Checking Tie Rod Socket End Play - Chrysler 2000 LHS Owner's Manual

19 - 30 STEERING
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
similar to the standard gear except for the solenoid
control valve extending from its housing. For infor-
mation and service procedures on the speed propor-
tional power steering
components, refer to the SPEED PROPORTIONAL
POWER STEERING GEAR section in this service
manual group.
NOTE: The power steering gear should not be ser-
viced or adjusted. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs
within the steering gear, the complete steering gear
needs to be replaced.
OPERATION
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lat-
eral (side-to side) travel through the meshing of the
helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth within the
steering gear. This lateral travel pushes and pulls
the tie rods to change the direction of the vehicle's
front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by a pump is con-
trolled by an open-center, rotary type control valve. It
directs fluid to either side of the gear's integral steer-
ing rack piston. Depending on the rotation of the
steering wheel, fluid pressure is transferred to one
side of the rack piston over the other.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As steering
effort increases as in a turn, the torsion bar twists,
causing relative rotary motion between the rotary
valve body and valve spool. This movement restricts
fluid flow to one side of the integral rack piston and
redirects fluid behind the other side of the integral
rack piston, building up hydraulic pressure, thus
assisting in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
OUTER TIE ROD SOCKET END PLAY
MEASUREMENT
NOTE: When measuring tie rod socket end play the
total weight of the vehicle must be supported by
the tires and suspension of the vehicle. Do not sup-
port the vehicle by other then a drive on hoist or an
alignment rack.
gear or its individual
(1) Position the vehicle on a drive on hoist or an
alignment rack so that the tires are supporting the
total weight of the vehicle.
(2) Raise hoist or alignment rack so that the tie
rod is positioned at eye level.
(3) Mount a dial indicator to the front strut assem-
bly (Fig. 2).
(4) Install a U-bolt having an inside dimension of
2 inches and a length of 3 inches (minimum) on the
tie rod end and steering arm of strut as shown in
(Fig. 2). Hand tighten nuts on U-bolt enough to just
hold U-bolt in place.
Fig. 2 Checking Tie Rod Socket End Play
1 – DIAL INDICATOR
2 – DIAL INDICATOR MOUNT
3 – TIE ROD
4 – U-BOLT
5 – STEERING ARM
6 – FRONT STRUT
7 – TIRE
(5) Position dial indicator in center of tie rod as
shown in (Fig. 2). Zero the dial indicator gauge.
(6) Equally tighten both nuts on the U-bolt until a
torque of 2.7 N·m (24 in. lbs.) is achieved on each
nut. Listed is the allowable tie rod socket end play.
New ball joint end play should not be greater then
0.100 inches. Ball joint in service end play should not
be greater then 0.190.
(7) If end play for a ball joint in service is greater
then the specification listed in Step 6 the ball joint
will require replacement.
LH