Ford 7G1Z-3504-AARM
Steering Gear

Safe operation of the power steering system requires preventing contamination because contaminants accelerate the failure of system components. Start by placing the steering wheel at direct center and extract the ignition key first. Place the vehicle in NEUTRAL while mounting it on a hoist. The hex holding feature stops the stud from rotating before removing the two tie-rod end nuts so that you can disconnect the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles by tightening the fasteners to 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.). It is mandatory to install new O-ring seals at every power steering line disconnection. The power steering line clamp plate bolt needs removing before rotating the clamp plate so you can disconnect the power steering pressure and return lines from the rack and pinion. Toss the two O-ring seals and tighten new ones to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) when installing. The intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp must stay in open position before handling boot components as well as after installation to verify end tabs avoid boot contact. To install the intermediate shaft boot bearing correctly it needs to be placed correctly into its designated groove and the external race needs to be hidden. A proper tool should be used to open the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp yet keep it secured in its open state. Steering column shaft rotation should be avoided during the disconnected phase of the lower shaft because damage to the Clock Spring will occur; when rotation takes place it necessitates Clock Spring recentering. We need to remove the rack and pinion-to-intermediate shaft bolt which you will discard before securing the new one using 25 Nm torque (18 ft. lbs.). First disconnect then remove the rack and pinion nuts and bolts before pulling out the rack and pinion from the left side of the vehicle through a specific procedure that includes discarding the original nuts and tightening new ones to 117 Nm (86 ft. lbs.) torque specifications. The power steering system requires filling after the procedure and front toe checking and correction is necessary.

The entry of contaminants into the power steering system must be blocked because it will decrease the lifespan of system components. The first step requires keeping the steering column shaft static when disconnecting the lower shaft for the safety of the Clock Spring. Slide the shaft without rotation or remove and reposition the Clock Spring. While the vehicle stands on a hoist in NEUTRAL position, drivers should turn the steering wheel to straight-ahead while they remove the ignition key. Install the hex holding feature then use it to tighten or loosen the two tie-rod end nuts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.). Tie-rod ends should be detached from the steering knuckle after removing the power steering line clamp plate bolt which needs 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) torque during replacement. The bypass of power steering fluid needs new O-ring seals before the clamp plate rotation disconnects rack and pinion pressure and return lines. Drain fluid into a suitable container by allowing fluid exit through the open lines then discard both O-ring seals. Maintain the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp in open position for removal and installation and check that tabs do not touch the boot. A correctly fitted intermediate shaft boot bearing should enter the retention groove so that its outer bearing race remains hidden from view. At this point release the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp while opening it to remove the boot from the intermediate shaft. When reinstalling the intermediate shaft-to-rack and pinion bolt tighten it to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.). The two rack and pinion nuts and bolts must be removed after you tighten them to 117 Nm (86 ft. lbs.) during reinstallation. Install the power steering system while detaching the left-side rack and pinion according to removed steps before adjusting the front toe position.

The entry of contaminants into the power steering system must be blocked because it will decrease the lifespan of system components. The first step requires keeping the steering column shaft static when disconnecting the lower shaft for the safety of the Clock Spring. Slide the shaft without rotation or remove and reposition the Clock Spring. While the vehicle stands on a hoist in NEUTRAL position, drivers should turn the steering wheel to straight-ahead while they remove the ignition key. Install the hex holding feature then use it to tighten or loosen the two tie-rod end nuts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.). Tie-rod ends should be detached from the steering knuckle after removing the power steering line clamp plate bolt which needs 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) torque during replacement. The bypass of power steering fluid needs new O-ring seals before the clamp plate rotation disconnects rack and pinion pressure and return lines. Drain fluid into a suitable container by allowing fluid exit through the open lines then discard both O-ring seals. Maintain the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp in open position for removal and installation and check that tabs do not touch the boot. A correctly fitted intermediate shaft boot bearing should enter the retention groove so that its outer bearing race remains hidden from view. At this point release the intermediate shaft boot bearing clamp while opening it to remove the boot from the intermediate shaft. When reinstalling the intermediate shaft-to-rack and pinion bolt tighten it to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.). The two rack and pinion nuts and bolts must be removed after you tighten them to 117 Nm (86 ft. lbs.) during reinstallation. Install the power steering system while detaching the left-side rack and pinion according to removed steps before adjusting the front toe position.