Adjustments - Ford Ranger Maintaince And Repair Manual

ADJUSTMENTS

Preload and Meshload
INSPECTION
1. Raise and support the front of the vehicle on jackstands.
2. Disconnect the pitman arm at the ball stud.
3. Lubricate the wormshaft seal with a drop of automatic transmission fluid.
4. Remove the horn pad from the steering wheel.
5. Turn the steering wheel slowly to one stop.
6. Using an inch−pound torque wrench on the steering wheel nut, check the amount of torque needed to
rotate the steering wheel through a 1
proceed with the rest of the steps. If not perform preload and mesh adjustment.
7. Rotate the steering wheel from stop−to−stop, counting the total number of turns. Using that figure,
center the steering wheel (
8. Using the inch−pound torque wrench, rotate the steering wheel 90° to either side of center, noting the
highest torque reading over center. The meshload should be 4−10 inch lbs., or at least 2 inch lbs. more
than the preload figure.
ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
2. Torque the sector cover bolts on the gear to 32−40 ft. lbs.
3. Loosen the preload adjuster nut and tighten the worm bearing adjuster nut until all end−play has been
removed. Lubricate the wormshaft seal with a few drops of automatic transmission fluid.
11
4. Using an /
16
way to the right.
5. Turn the shaft back to the left and measure the torque over a 1
reading.
6. Tighten or loosen the adjuster nut to bring the preload into range (5−6 inch lbs.).
7. Hold the adjuster nut while torqueing the locknut to 166−187 ft. lbs.
ADJUSTMENTS
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Measuring the steering gear preload
1
1
/ the total turns).
2
in., 12−point socket and an inch lbs. torque wrench, carefully turn the wormshaft all the
/ turn cycle. The preload should be 2−6 inch lbs. If correct,
2
1
/ turn cycle. This is the preload
2
957