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Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: When servicing inner tie rods, a new bellows boot and clamps must be installed or a leak may occur causing steering gear damage.
  1. Remove the steering gear. For additional information, refer to STEERING GEAR - 3.5L FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) , STEERING GEAR - 3.5L ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) , STEERING GEAR - 2.5L NON-HYBRID AND 3.0L FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD)  or STEERING GEAR - 2.5L HYBRID AND 3.0L ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)  in this service information.
    2. NOTE: Position the steering gear in a soft-jaw vise or damage to the steering gear may occur.
  2. Loosen the tie-rod jam nut and remove the outer tie-rod end.
    • To install, tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
    3. NOTE: It will be necessary to partially remove the LH bellows boot to hold the rack piston when servicing the RH inner tie rod.
  3. If servicing the RH inner tie rod, remove the LH inner bellows boot clamp and slide the bellows boot away from the steering gear housing.
    • Discard the clamp.
  4. Remove and discard the 2 bellows boot clamps and the bellows boot for the inner tie rod being serviced.
  5. On Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (HPAS) steering gears, bend back the crimped edges of the retaining washer.
    6. NOTE: The steering gear rack piston must be held while loosening or tightening the inner tie rod or damage to the steering gear may occur.
  6. Using a suitable wrench, hold the piston shaft.
  7. Using a suitable wrench, remove the inner tie-rod end.
    • To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
    8. NOTE: When installing the bellows boot(s), grease must be applied to the bellows boot-to-steering gear housing mating surfaces or a leak may occur causing steering gear damage.
    NOTE: On HPAS steering gears, the inner tie-rod retaining washer must be crimped after the inner tie rod has been tightened.
  8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
    • When installing, apply grease to the bellows boot-to-steering gear mating surfaces.
    • Make sure that the steering gear is in the centered position prior to installing the steering gear.
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