Ford F7CZ-3504-CCRM
Gear Assembly

The rack and pinion servicing process starts with putting the key to RUN position then removing nuts before taking off the steering column tube boot followed by the inner steering column tube boot. Completely separate the steering column input shaft coupling from the rack and pinion input shaft pinch bolt and then elevate and stabilize the car. You should start by unfastening the lug nuts from the wheel then tire assemblies. Before removal of the tie rod end nut you must discard the cotter pin and then remove the nut itself. The front wheel knuckle separation from the tie rod end can be accomplished using a Tie Rod End Separator tool. The first set of operations involves removing six bolts pertaining to the RH lower splash shield and the subsequent bolts for the crossmember. Remove the power steering return and pressure hoses from the rack and pinion and apply caps to them. Also discard the hose strap. Manual transaxle vehicles require separating transmission gearshift rod and clevis connections while you need to remove the gearshift lever stabilizer bar and support. Take off the two nuts which secure each bracket on the rack and pinion mounting assembly. The pushpin removal discloses the RH boot shield and lets you pull out the rack and pinion through the right side of the vehicle. Mount the rack and pinion into the Rack and Pinion Holding Fixture and wipe its surface with solvent after emptying extra hydraulic fluid. Check the fluid passages for any obstructions while inspecting for leaks before evaluating the power steering rack housing for damage which requires a new component. The input shaft bearing of the power steering rack should rotate freely during inspection while technicians mark down the tie rod ends and their jam nuts together with the front wheel spindle tie rods before disassembly. A 20 mm crowfoot should be used to position the rack and pinion at the center location and prevent damage while removing and installing the components. The front suspension steering ball stud dust seals with clamps need to be taken off first. You should make use of the Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool to extract the front wheel spindle tie rods. The Inner Tie Rod Socket Tool assists in front wheel spindle tie rod installation before installing the front suspension steering ball stud dust seals and clamps. Place the tie rod end jam nuts and tie rod ends onto the front wheel spindle tie rod keeping the marks in alignment for proper tightening of the jam nuts. After taking out the rack and pinion from its holding fixture install it back into the right-hand side of the vehicle and bring the steering column input shaft coupling into alignment with the rack and pinion input shaft. Reinstall the rack and pinion mounting brackets together with their nuts and for manual transaxle vehicles install the gearshift lever stabilizer bar followed by the support and transmission gearshift and clevis. New teflon seals 388898-S need installation to both power steering pressure hose fittings before final hose connection provided the threads remain clear. Fasten the hoses with a new strap before reinstalling the crossmember and installing the pushpin together with positioning the RH boot shield. First reinstall the RH splash shield along with its six bolts until tight. After that install both tie rod ends into the front wheel knuckles by tightening the tie rod end nut to mate the castellations with the cotter pin hole then add the new cotter pin. After lowering the vehicle you should install its wheels and tires while fixing the steering column input shaft coupling to the rack and pinion input shaft utilizing the pinch bolt. The last steps include putting the inner steering column tube boot and the steering column tube boot into position before fastening them with five bolts while filling the power steering system and aligning the front wheels to appropriate specifications.