NOTE: The power steering gear should NOT be ser-
viced or adjusted unless DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion authorizes. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs,
the complete steering gear should be replaced.
Only the outer tie rods may be replaced separately
from the rest of the gear.

OPERATION

Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lin-

ear (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the
helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth in the steer-
ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle’s front wheels.

Power assist steering provided by the power steer-

ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.

Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion

bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds hydraulic pressure and assists
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.

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS

WARNING:

POWER

STEERING

FLUID,

ENGINE

PARTS

AND

EXHAUST

SYSTEM

MAY

EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.

WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.

CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.

REMOVAL

REMOVAL - LHD GEAR

(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-

voir.

(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as

possible from the power steering fluid reservoir. Use
care not to damage the filter mesh below the
fluid surface.

GEAR

19 - 27

CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the
straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring
from being accidentally over-extended when the
steering column is disconnected from the interme-
diate steering coupler.

(3) Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-

AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place
using a steering wheel holding tool.

(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the

steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).

(5) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &

MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)

(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove front emissions vapor canister. (Refer

EMISSIONS

CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE

EMISSIONS/VAPOR CANISTER - REMOVAL)

(8) Remove a single hose at power steering cooler

and allow fluid to drain.

Fig. 1 Power Steering Gear (Typical)

1 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
2 - INNER TIE ROD
3 - STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET
4 - POWER STEERING GEAR FLUID LINES
5 - STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
6 - INNER TIE ROD

7 - OUTER TIE ROD
8 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
9 - BOOT/BELLOWS
10 - STEERING GEAR BOOT BREATHER TUBE
11 - BOOT/BELLOWS
12 - OUTER TIE ROD

Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft

Attachment

1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT

19 - 28

GEAR

GEAR (Continued)

(9) Remove 2 bolts attaching power steering cooler

to cradle crossmember reinforcement (Fig. 3).

(10) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching

outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 4).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.

(11) Remove bolts fastening leak detection pump to

cradle crossmember reinforcement. (Refer to 25 -
EMISSIONS

CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE

EMIS-

SIONS/LEAK DETECTION PUMP - REMOVAL)

(12) Remove both outer tie rods from steering

knuckles, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894–A (Fig.
5).

(13) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing

retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.

NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.

Fig. 3 Power Steering Cooler

1 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
2 - POWER STEERING COOLER

Fig. 4 Removing/Installing Tie Rod End Attaching

Nut

1 - TIE ROD END
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - WRENCH
4 - SOCKET
5 - TIE ROD END STUD

Fig. 5 Tie Rod Removal With Tool C-3894-A

1 - OUTER TIE ROD
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3894-A
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE

GEAR

19 - 29

GEAR (Continued)

(14) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-

member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 6). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove lower rear bushings,
then the reinforcement.

(15) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-

Drive, remove the power transfer unit as necessary
(Refer

TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/

POWER TRANSFER UNIT).

(16) Remove tube nuts and power steering pres-

sure and return hoses from the power steering gear
(Fig. 7).

Fig. 6 Cradle Crossmember Reinforcement

Attachment

1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
5 - REAR CRADLE CROSSMEMBER ISOLATOR BUSHING
6 - STABILIZER BAR
7 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER

19 - 30

GEAR

GEAR (Continued)

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