Steering Gear Meshload Adjustment - XR50 Steering Gear

Special Tool(s) 

Fig 1: Special Tool Chart

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles 

NOTE: The engine should not be running.
Fig 2: Turning Steering Wheel From Right Lock To Left Lock
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
1. Turn the steering wheel from right lock to left lock at least once.
2. Remove the driver air bag. Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
4. Remove the castellated nut.
   1. Remove the cotter pin.
   2. Remove the castellated nut.
   Fig 3: Removing Castellated Nut And Cotter Pin

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Separate the drag link from the pitman arm.
   • Use the Pitman Arm Puller to separate the drag link.
   Fig 4: Removing Drag Link, Using Pitman Arm Puller

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: The front wheel should not touch the ground.
6. Lower and support the front of the vehicle. Refer to JACKING & LIFTING .
7. Rotate the steering wheel to the left stop and then rotate the steering wheel back approximately 45 degrees.
NOTE: The peak preload torque must be within 0.23-1.13 Nm (2-10 lb-in) or a new steering gear must be installed. Refer to POWER STEERING .
8. Attach an inch pound torque wrench to the steering wheel bolt and slowly and evenly rotate the steering wheel clockwise 1/2 turn (180 degrees).
   • Record the peak preload torque.
9. Rotate the steering wheel to its centered position (approximately 1-1/2 turns from either stop). Place the torque wrench on the steering wheel bolt with the handle in the vertical position. Rotate the torque wrench slowly and evenly 1/4 turn (90 degrees) from each side of center.
   • Record the peak on-center torque.
NOTE: The on-center torque must be 0.56-1.02 Nm (5-9 lb-in) greater than preload torque without exceeding a total of 1.92 Nm (17 lb-in). The on-center torque minus the preload torque is the meshload torque.
10. If necessary, carry out the following steps to adjust the on-center torque.

    With 6.0L Diesel 

11. Remove the auxiliary battery tray. Refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
12. Loosen the clamps and remove the air intake duct.
    Fig 5: Loosening Clamps And Removing Air Intake Duct

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All vehicles 

NOTE: Rotate the meshload screw clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to decrease.
Fig 6: Adjusting Meshload Screw And Loosening Lock Nut
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
13. Adjust the meshload screw to the correct rotating torque.
    1. Hold the meshload screw and loosen the lock nut.
    2. Adjust the meshload screw.
14. Verify that the rotating torque is to specification.
    • Readjust if necessary.
15. Tighten the lock nut.
    1. Hold the meshload screw.
    2. Tighten the lock nut.
    Fig 7: Tightening Lock Nut

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Install the drag link, castellated nut and cotter pin.
    Fig 8: Installing Drag Link, Castellated Nut And Cotter Pin

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
17. Install the driver air bag. Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .