Power Steering Gears - SAGINAW Ball Bearing Worm & Nut: Overhaul: Reassembly
NOTE:
Some steering gears have ball nut guides with top loading hole for balls. To assemble this type, coat inside of worm, ball nut and guides with oil then install guides into ball nut with nut installed on worm. Load all balls through holes in guide then install guide clamp. Clamps for side loading guide are not the same as for top loading guide. Do not interchange or balls will fall out.
- Lubricate all seals, bushings and bearings before reassembly. Use steering gear lubricant whenever possible, if not available, a good grade of multi-purpose lubricant may be used.NOTE: Do not use gear oil.
Place worm shaft in ball nut so taper of rack teeth will be in correct relation to sector teeth. Divide ball bearings to provide an equal number for each circuit. Fill one circuit at a time gradually turning worm shaft away from hole being filled. With side loading guides, fill each return guide with balls and use vaseline to hold balls in place while installing guides.
- Install worm shaft bearings in housing and in adjuster plug. Install adjuster plug bearing retainer if equipped. Lubricate threads of adjuster before assembly. Wrap tape around worm shaft splines to protect seal during shaft installation. Install worm and nut assembly in housing and tighten adjuster plug hand tight. Before installing sector shaft, pack worm shaft cavities in housing above and below ball nut with lubricant. When gear is properly packed with lubricant, it will hold 11 ounces (about 7-9 ounces for sub-compact models).
- The adjusting screw must turn freely and have a maximum of 0.002" end play (0.004" for Chrysler Corp. & Ford Motor Co. vehicles). Shims are available for selective fit of adjustment screw. Turn worm shaft so ball nut is at center of travel and install sector shaft. Tape sector shaft splines to protect seal. Make certain that sector shaft center tooth meshes with ball nut center tooth space. Pack remaining portion of lubricant in gear. Place new side cover gasket on housing and install side cover by turning adjusting screw. Make sure some lash exists before tightening cover bolts. With some steering gears, it may be necessary to fill gear with lubricant after installing side cover. Fill gear through filler plug hole or one side cover bolt hole. Adjust worn preload and over-center adjustments as previously outlined.
TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS
| Application | Ft. Lbs. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm Adjuster Lock Nut | |||
| American Motors | 50 | ||
| All Others (Exc. Chrysler Corp.) | 75-85 | ||
| Sector Adjusting Screw Lock Nut | 25-35 | ||
| Side Cover-to-Housing | |||
| Ford Motor Co. | 17-25 | ||
| Chrysler Corp. | 25 | ||
| All Others | 30 | ||
| Gear-to-Frame Bolts | |||
| American Motors | 65 | ||
| Chrysler Corp. | 100 | ||
| Ford Motor Co. | 50-65 | ||
| General Motors (Exc. Corvette) | 70 | ||
| Corvette | 30 | ||
| Pitman Arm-to-Sector Shaft | |||
| American Motors | 115 | ||
| Chrysler Corp. | 175 | ||
| Ford Motor Co. | 150-225 | ||
| General Motors | |||
| Monza, Skyhawk, Starfire, Sunbird | 165 | ||
| All Other Models | 185 | ||
| Flexible Coupling-to-Flange Bolts | 18-25 | ||
| Flexible Coupling Pinch Bolt | 30 | ||
| Pot Joint Clamp-to-Steering Shaft | |||
| 1" Size | 45-55 | ||
| 5/8" Size | 35 | ||
| Steering Wheel Nut | |||
| American Motors | 25 | ||
| Chrysler Corp. | 60 | ||
| All Others | 30 | ||
| Lube Plug | 3-9 | ||