wheel FORD MUSTANG 1969 Volume One Chassis

03-05-07

Steering Columns And Linkage
03-05-07

the steering column
(F in Fig. 8).

7.
Disconnect
the
transmission shift

rod
at the
shift tube.

8. Working under
the
hood, install

the aligning spacer (Fig.
9)
around
the

visible portion
of the
steering shaft

and slide
it up the
shaft into
the
steer-

ing column.
It may be
necessary
to

move
the
shaft back
and
forth
to
com-

pletely install
the
spacer.

9.
At
this point
the
steering column

assembly, being loose,
may
have

dropped toward
the
steering gear

grounding
the
steering shaft
on the

steering gear input shaft.
To
properly

establish
the
steering shaft
to
steering

gear clearance, insert
a 1/8
diameter

rod
or
drill through
the
opening
in the

upper half
of the
flex coupling.

10.
Tighten
to a
snug
fit
(approxi-

mately
2-3
ft-lb)
the
nuts retaining
the

toe plates
to the
dash panel
(B in Fig.

8).

11.
If the
aligning spacer cannot
be

rotated freely,
the
dash panel holes

must
be
filed
or
reamed
for
greater

travel
(as
mentioned
in the
second

paragraph
at the
beginning
of
this

procedure).

12.
Tighten
all
nuts
and
bolts

(noted
as C, D and E in
Fig.
8) in the

passenger compartment
to a
snug
fit

(approximately 2-3 ft-lb). Again check

aligning spacer
for
looseness. Perform

these tightening operations
in
alpha-

betical order.

13.
Tighten
the
lateral adjustment

bolt
(F in Fig. 8) to
snug
fit.
Again

check
the
aligning spacer
for
loose-

ness.

14.
Tighten
all
bolts and nuts
to the

proper torque value (listed
in Fig. 8)

in alphabetical order.

15.
Remove
the
steering shaft
al-

igning spacer.

16.
Remove
the 1/8
diameter
rod or

drill previously inserted
in the
flex

coupling.

17.
Reinstall
the
trim
at the
instru-

ment panel
to
steering column mount-

ing.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

If
a
condition
of
high shift
or
steer-

ing effort
is
experienced
it may be

caused
by
improper alignment
of the

energy absorbing steering column.
The

following procedures outline
the
steps

necessary
to
correctly realign either

fixed
or
tilt columns:

1.
Disconnect
the
battery.

2.
Loosen four
toe
plate attaching

nuts (Fig.
10).

3.
Loosen
one toe
plate
to
steering

column clamp bolt
and nut.
Check

alignment
of
steering shaft
to
shift
-HANDLE PORTION

2-3/4"
-*- 3/4"

BEND AROUND

STEERING SHAFT
DIMENSION
A:

STANDARD COLUMN 7/16"

TILT WHEEL COLUMN
1-1/8"

•2-3/4

FABRICATE ALIGNING SPACER OUT OF

PLASTIC SHIPPING COLLAR PROVIDED

ON SERVICE DRIVESHAFTS, OR OUT
OF

1/32"—1/16" CARDBOARD
STEERING SHAFT

ALIGNMENT SPACER-BEND AROUND

STEERING SHAFT (DIMENSION
A)
AND

SLIDE UP THE SHAFT INTO COLUMN

G1537-A

FIG. 9—Aligning Spacer Fabrication
and
Insertion

BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET

PART

A-TOE PLATE

B-CLAMP

C-C0LUMN BRACKET

D-BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET
TORQUE VALUE

8-12 FT. LB.

3-5 FT. LB.

10-15
FT.
LB.

8-12 FT. LB.

G1541-A

FIG. 10—Steering Column Alignment Locations
and
Torque

Specifications—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com

03-05-08
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-08

tube.
In some instances the column

will shift into proper alignment when

the toe plate attaching nuts are loos-

ened. (Alignment is acceptable if a

.010 inch feeler blade can be passed

freely, completely around the area be-

tween the outer diameter of the steer-

ing shaft and the shift tube.) if the

misalignment condition can be attrib-

uted to this area, file or ream the dash

panel holes for greater clearance. If

the alignment is maintained after the

toe plate nuts and toe plate to column

clamp bolt and nut are torqued to the

8-12 ft-lb specification, no further ad-

justment is necessary.

4.
Remove instrument panel lower

trim panel. Vehicles equipped with a

combination radio stereo tape player

will require removal of the radio and

tape player assembly in order to gain

access to the upper R.H. steering col-

umn support bracket bolt.

5.
Loosen the seven bolts at the

steering column support bracket and

brake pedal support bracket.
6. Install a 3/16 inch diameter rod

spacer in the flex coupling to assure

proper clearance between upper and

lower steering shaft.

7.
Raise the vehicle, remove the

transmission splash shield, and visual-

ly align the column to center the

steering shaft in the column. Tighten

two toe plate attaching nuts sufficient-

ly to hold the column alignment (two

persons may be required for this oper-

ation).

8. Lower the vehicle.

9. Check the clearance between the

steering column support bracket and

the instrument panel bracket. It may

be necessary to add shims (Part Num-

ber MK-3054-A .060 inch thick, or

C3AZ-3054-A, .113 inch thick) be-

tween the support bracket and the in-

strument panel bracket to prevent

movement of the column when the

support bracket bolts are tightened.

10.
Loosen the two toe plate at-

taching nuts previously tightened. Re-

check steering column alignment. In
some instances it may be necessary to

enlarge the holes in the dash panel in

order to obtain proper column align-

ment.

11.
With the column properly al-

igned, torque the four toe plate at-

taching nuts to 4-9 ft-lbs.

12.
Torque the toe plate to steering

column clamp bolt to 3-5 ft-lbs.

13.
Recheck steering shaft to shift

tube alignment. A 0.10 inch feeler

blade should pass freely, completely

around the area between the outer di-

ameter of the steering shaft and shift-

er tube.

14.
Raise the vehicle.

15.
Adjust transmission shift link-

age.

16.
Install transmission splash

shield.

17.
Lower the vehicle.

18.
Install the radio stereo tape

player if so equipped.

19.
Install instrument panel lower

trim panel.

20.
Connect the battery.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING COLUMN

FORD, MERCURY, METEOR

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

switch and back-up light switch wires

from the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column retainer and seal at the toe

plate (Fig. 11).

7.
Ford, Meteor: Remove the two

screws that secure the lower trim

shroud to the upper trim shroud. Re-

move the two shrouds.

Mercury: Remove the two screws

that secure the lower trim shroud to

the upper trim shroud. Remove the

top shroud Disconnect the ignition

switch light bulb. Remove the ignition

and light switch bezels and spring clip

and remove the lower shroud. Discon-
nect the light switch electrical connec-

tor block.

8. Remove the two screws that se-

cure the intermediate bracket to the

column lower bracket.

9. While supporting the steering

column, remove the two nuts that se-

cure the column lower bracket to the

instrument panel. Remove the brack-

ets.

10.
Lift the steering column and

wheel from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Index the block tooth on

the steering gear shaft with the corre-

sponding slot on the flex coupling. In-

stall and tighten the flex coupling-

to-steering gear attaching bolt.

2.
Place the column upper bracket

and column lower bracket in position

on the column and install but do not

tighten the four attaching nuts.

3.
Install and tighten the two nuts

that secure the column lower bracket

to the instrument panel. Make certain

the column is properly positioned rela-

tive to the flex coupling input shaft

connection.

4.
Install and tighten the screws

that secure the intermediate bracket to

the column lower bracket.
5.
Tighten the four attaching nuts

at the upper and lower brackets and

the two nuts at the upper bracket to

instrument panel. The dial pointer (if

so equipped) should be adjusted to

coincide with the selector lever.

6. Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Make sure

the steering shaft is centered in the

column before tightening the nuts.

7.
Ford, Meteor: Install and tighten

the two screws that secure the lower

trim shroud to the upper trim shroud.

Mercury: Connect the light switch

harness block. Install the ignition and

light switch bezels. Connect the igni-

tion switch light bulb. Install the top

shroud and the two screws that secure

the lower trim shroud to the upper

shroud.

8. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

9. Connect the neutral start switch

and back-up light switch to their re-

spective terminals.

10.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

11.
Connect the negative battery

cable to the battery.

12.
Check the operation of the

steering tilt mechanism if so equipped

and the switches.procarmanuals.com

03-05-09

Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-09

FAIRLANE, FALCON

AND MONTEGO

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery cable

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
Disconnect the neutral start

siwtch (with automatic transmission)

and back-up light switch wires from

the switches.

4.
Disconnect the transmission con-

trol rod(s) from the lever(s) at the

lower end of the column.

5.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear (Fig.

12).
6. Remove the nuts and bolts that

secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

7.
Disconnect the nuts that secure

the column upper and lower brackets

to the brake pedal support bracket

and the dash panel.

8. Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column upper and

lower brackets to the brake pedal sup-
port bracket and the dash panel.

Make certain the column is properly

positioned relative to the flex coupling

inpui shaft connection.

3.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

4.
Tighten the nuts at the brake

pedal support bracket and the dash

panel.

5.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate.

6. Connect the transmission control

rod(s) to the lever(s) at the lower end

of the column.

7.
Connect the neutral start switch

(if so equipped) and back-up light

switch to their respective terminals.

8. Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

COLUMN UPPER \

BRACKET-3506 V

BRAKE PEDAL

SUPPORT BRACKET

TRIMSHROUD-3530

UPPER CLAMP-3507,

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

•
FLEXCOUPLING-3A525
^INTERMEDIATE

BRACKET-3676

VIEW AA

G1616-A

FIG. 11—Steering Column Installation—Ford, Mercury, Meteorprocarmanuals.com

03-05-10
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-10

9. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

10.
Check the operation of the

switches.

COUGAR, MUSTANG

Removal

cable

1.
Disconnect the battery

from the negative post.

2.
Disconnect the turn signal switch

wires at the connector.

3.
On tilt-away columns, disconnect

the tilt-control cable from the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket.

4.
Remove the bolt that secures the

flex coupling to the steering gear.

5.
Remove the nuts and bolts that
secure the column retainer and seal at

the toe plate.

6. Remove the nuts that secure the

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support (Fig. 13).

7.
Lift the column from the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position the steering column in

the vehicle. Make sure that the wheels

are in the straight ahead position and

that the steering wheel spokes are in a

horizontal position when the flex cou-

pling engages the input shaft splines.

2.
Install but do not tighten the

nuts that secure the column lower

bracket to the brake pedal support.

Make certain the column is properly
positioned relative to the flex coupling

input shaft connection.

3.
Tighten the two rearward nuts at

the brake pedal support bracket and

column lower bracket to the brake

pedal support.

4.
Install and tighten the nuts and

bolts that secure the column retainer

and seal at the toe plate. Tighten the

forward nuts securing the column to

the brake pedal support.

5.
Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling-to-steering gear attaching bolt.

6. On tilt-away columns, connect

the tilt-control cable to the vacuum

motor and mounting bracket. Adjust

the cable for proper operation.

7.
Connect the turn signal switch

wires.

8. Connect the battery cable to the

negative post.

STEERING WHEEL-3600

BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT

BRACKET-3B139

TOE PLATE

COLUMN LOWER

BRACKET-3R547

FLEXCOUPLING-3A525

G1617-A

FIG. 72—Steering Column Installation—Fairlane, Falcon, Montegoprocarmanuals.com

03-05-11

Steering Columns
And
Linkage

03-05-11

9. Check
the
operation
of the
steer-

ing tilt mechanism
(if so
equipped)

and
the
switches.

THUNDERBIRD
AND

CONTINENTAL MARK
III

Removal

1.
Remove
the
instrument panel

lower outer finish panel, instrument

panel steering column plate
and
cover.

2.
Disconnect
the
negative cable

from
the
battery.

3.
Remove
the
bolt that attaches

the flexible coupling
to the
steering

shaft.

4.
Disconnect
the
shift
rod
from
the

lever
at the
lower
end of the
column.
5.
Remove
the
four screws that
at-

tach
the
column retainer
to the
dash

panel.

6. Working from
the
underside
of

the instrument panel disconnect
the

steering column tilt-control cable from

the vacuum motor
and
mounting

bracket
(if so
equipped)
(Fig. 14).

7.
Disconnect
the
turn signal

switch,
and
emergency flasher wires
at

the connectors. Disconnect
the
wires

from
the
neutral start switch.

8. While supporting
the
steering

column, remove
the
four bolts that
at-

tach
the
lower clamp
to the
upper

clamp
(Fig. 14).
Lift
the
column from

the vehicle.

Installation

1.
Position
the
column
in the
vehi-
cle making sure that
the
steering shaft

engages
the
flex coupling.

1.
Install
the
column retainer-

to-dash panel attaching screws,
but do

not tighten them.

3.
Install
the
lower clamp
and the

attaching nuts. Tighten
the
nuts fing-

ertight.

4.
Move
the
lower flange
as re-

quired
to
center
the
steering shaft
in

the tube. Aligning procedures
are de-

tailed
in
Part
3-1.
Tighten
the
lower

flange attaching nuts when
the
shaft
is

centered.

5.
Connect
the
shift
rod to the
shift

lever
at the
lower
end of the
column.

6. Install
and
tighten
the
flex
cou-

pling attaching bolt.

7.
Tighten
the
instrument panel-

to-clamp attaching nuts.

BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT
STEERING WHEEL-3600

TURN SIGNAL LEVER-13305

COLUMN TUBE-3514

COLUMN LOWER BRACKET-3R547

•TOE PLATE

FLEX COUPLING-3A525

G1618-A

f/G.
73—Steering Column Installation—Cougar, Mustangprocarmanuals.com

STEERING WHEEL-3600

STEERING SHAFT-3525

LOWER CLAMP

3668

CENTERING WASHER-3C708

G1542-A

:/G.
15—Steering Column (Fixed)—Disassembled—Lincoln Continentalprocarmanuals.com

03-05-14
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-14

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wires at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Connect the tilt-column control

cable to the release cable retainer and

vacuum motor (if so equipped). To re-

move cable slack, loosen the bracket

attaching screw and pull it slightly

toward the column, then tighten the

screw. If difficulty in adjusting this

control is experienced, the retainer

slot may be filed to gain additional

travel.

10.
Install the instrument panel

steering column plate and cover and

the instrument panel lower outer fin-

ish panel.

11.
Connect the negative cable to

the battery.

12.
Start the engine and check the

operation of the steering column and

switches.

LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

Removal

1.
Disconnect the battery.

2.
Disconnect the rod from the
lever at the lower end of the selector

tube.

Loosen the clamp bolt that locks

the flexible coupling to the steering

shaft.

3.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. Do not use a ham-

mer or knock-off type wheel puller.

Striking the puller or shaft may cause

damage to the bearings and/or col-

lapsible column. Remove the steering

wheel as shown in Fig. 15.

4.
Remove the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

5.
Remove the four screws that at-

tach the lower retainer to the dash

panel.

6. Disconnect the turn signal switch

and emergency flasher wires at the

connectors. Disconnect the wires from

the neutral start switch.

7.
While supporting the steering

column, remove the bolts that attach

the lower clamp to the upper bracket

(Fig. 15). Lift the column from the ve-

hicle.

Installation

1.
Position the column in the vehi-
cle,
making sure that the steering

shaft engages the flex coupling.

2.
Install the column retainer-

to-dash panel attaching screws, but do

not tighten them.

3.
Install the lower clamp and the

attaching nuts. Tighten the nuts fing-

ertight.

4.
Move the lower flange as re-

quired to center the steering shaft in

the tube. Aligning procedures are de-

tailed in Part 3-1. Tighten the lower

flange attaching nuts when the shaft is

centered.

5.
Connect the shift rod to the shift

lever at the lower end of the column.

6. Install and tighten the flex cou-

pling attaching bolt.

7.
Tighten the instrument panel-

to-clamp attaching nuts.

8. Connect the turn signal and

emergency flasher switch wirss at the

multiple connectors. Connect the wires

to the neutral start switch. Adjust-

ments for the neutral start switch are

detailed in Group 7 of this manual.

9. Install the instrument panel

steering column finish plate.

10.
Install the steering wheel and

crash pad.

MAJOR REPAIR OPERATIONS

STEERING COLUMN

SHIFT TUBE REPLACEMENT

STATIONARY COLUMN

WITH STANDARD

TRANSMISSION

Removal

1.
Working from the underside of

the steering wheel spoke, remove the

two screws that secure the crash pad.

Remove the pad. (On Continental

Mark III models, pry out the crash

pad insert and remove the two screws

that secure the crash pad. Remove the

crash pad. On models equipped with

steering wheel mounted speed con-

trols,
refer to Group 16 for removal

instructions).

2.
Remove the steering wheel from

the steering shaft with tool T67L-

3600-A (Fig. 1). Then, remove the

tool from the steering wheel. Do not

use a knock-off type steering Wheel

puller or strike the end of the steering

shaft with a hammer. Striking the

puller or shaft will damage the bear-
ing or the collapsible column.

3.
Remove the steering column

from the vehicle.

4.
Remove the selector lever from

the hub (Fig. 16).

5.
Remove the bearing upper snap

ring. It may be necessary to pull the

turn signal switch out to remove the

snap ring.

6. Remove the screws that attach

the shift tube bearing, shift arms, and

shift tube to the lower end of the

steering column.

7.
Slip the shift tube and steering

shaft from the lower end of the steer-

ing column tube. The upper bearing

has a slight press fit on the steering

shaft.

8. Remove the C-washer from the

upper end of the steering shaft, and

pull the shift tube from the steering

shaft.

9. Remove the shift tube bearing

from the lower end of the tube

Installation

1.
Position the shift tube bearing
(Fig. 16) on the tube and insert the

steering shaft in the shift tube.

2.
Install the C-washer on the

upper end of the steering shaft.

3.
Insert the shift tube and steering

shaft into the steerint column tube

and install the three attaching screws

at the lower end of the steering col-

umn tube.

4.
Position the bearing and insula-

tor on the shaft if it was disturbed

during removal. Work it down onto

the shaft as far as possible, then place

a piece of 3/4 ID x 2 1/8 inch pipe

over the end of shaft and install the

steering wheel attaching nut (Fig. 2).

5.
Tighten the nut until the bearing

is seated in the flange, then remove

the nut and pipe from the shaft.

6. Position the turn signal switch

on the flange and install the three at-

taching screws. Install the upper snap

ring.

7.
Install the selector lever and the

turn signal lever in the column.

8. Adjust and install the neutral

start switch as detailed in Group 7.

9. Install the steering column in the

vehicle.procarmanuals.com

03-05-15
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-15

SHIFT

TUBE
STEERING

COLUMN
TUBE
SELECTOR

I
LEVER
HUB

\
CENTERING

I
WASHER
QUADRANT

BEARING

UPPER

SNAP RING

TURN SIGNAL AND

EMERGENCY FLASHER

SWITCH

PLASTIC

CONDUIT

STEERING

SHAFT

CONNECTOR

FIG. 16—Typical Stationary Steering Column Disassembled—Standard Transmission
G 1494-A

SNAP RING
STEERING WHEEL-3600

SEAL - 7C102

BEARING -3517

SNAP RING

FLANGE -3511

SELECTOR BEZEL-

LEVER- 7210 ZtL

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

(FIRST
&

REVERSE)
/ <P

7303
/ 9

WASHER - 7242

BUSHING - 733

- 7347

UPPER CLAMP-01698
GEARSHIFT LEVER

(SECOND & THIRD) - 7302

SEAL-

LOWER CLAMP - 01699
^^r**——
FLEX JOINT - 3A525

FIG. 17—Typical Stationary Steering Column Disassembled—Automatic Transmission
G1501-Aprocarmanuals.com

03-05-20
Steering Columns And Linkage

03-05-20

placed if it becomes worn or damaged

(Figs.
18 through 21). Do not attempt

to straighten the sleeve if damaged.

1.
Remove the spindle connecting

rod end assemblies as described in the

previous sub-section.

2.
Screw the spindle rod end assem-

blies into the new sleeve the same

number of turns as the ends that were

removed. Do not tighten the clamp

bolts at this time.

3.
Position the sleeve and end as-

sembly on the center link and the

spindle arm. Install the attaching nut,

torque it to specification, and install

the cotter pin.

4.
Check and, if necessary, adjust

toe-in (Part 3-1). After toe-in is

checked and adjusted, oil the sleeve

clamp bolts then torque them to speci-

fication. The sleeve clamp must be in-

stalled as shown in Figs. 18 through

21.

CENTER LINK

REPLACEMENT

The center link connecting the Pit-

man arm and the idler arm is non-

adjustable and is provided with ta-

pered holes to accommodate the ball

studs (Figs. 18 through 21). The link

should be replaced when damaged or

when worn at the ball studs. On Lin-

coln Continental models, the link

should be replaced if excessive loose-

ness is noticed in either ball stud sock-

et.

REMOVAL

1.
Raise the vehicle on a hoist and

position safety stands.

2.
Remove the cotter pins and nuts

that attach both inner connecting rod

ends to the center link (Figs. 18

through 21).

3.
Disconnect the inner connecting

rod ends from the center link using

Tool 3290-C (Fig. 22).

4.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the idler arm to the center

link. Disconnect the idler arm from

the center link using Tool 3290-C for

Lincoln Continental models only.

5.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the Pitman arm to the cen-

ter link. Disconnect the Pitman arm

from the center link (use Tool 3290-C)

and remove the center link. On ve-

hicles equipped with the non-integral

power steering system, remove the

center link from the control valve as

detailed in Part 3-7.

INSTALLATION

1.
Replace the rubber seals on the
spindle connecting rod ends, if re-

quired.

2.
Position the center link to the

Pitman arm and idler arm and install

the attaching nuts loosely. On all ve-

hicles except Lincoln Continental

models, place the idler arm and the

front wheels in the straight ahead po-

sition to insure keeping the steering

wheel aligned and to prevent bushing

damage after the attaching nuts have

been torqued. On Lincoln Continental

models, insure that the seal is properly

installed on the center link. Torque

the nuts to the low end of the specifi-

cation. Continue to tighten each nut

until the slots in the nut align with the

hole in the stud. Then install a new

cotter pin.

3.
Position the spindle connecting

rod ends to the center link and install

the attaching nuts. Torque the nuts to

the low end of the specification. Con-

tinue to tighten each nut until the

slots in the nut align with the hole in

the stud. Then, install a new cotter

pin.

4.
Remove the safety stands, lower

the vehicle, check and adjust toe-in to

specification (Part 3-1).

STEERING IDLER ARM

AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

If the idler arm bushings are worn

the complete idler arm assembly must

be replaced. In Lincoln Continental

models, if the socket at the idler

bracket is excessively loose, replace

the complet assembly.

1.
Remove the cotter pin and nut

attaching the steering center link at

the idler arm (Figs. 18 through 21).

2.
Disconnect the center link from

the idler arm (on Lincoln Continental

models, use Tool 3290-C).

3.
Remove the two bolts that attach

the idler arm and bracket assembly to

the frame.

INSTALLATION

1.
Secure the new idler arm and

bracket assembly to the frame with

the two attaching bolts (nuts and flat

washers as shown in Figs. 18, 19 and

21).

2.
On all vehicles except Lincoln

Continental models, place the idler

arm and the front wheels in the

straight ahead position to insure keep-

ing the steering wheel aligned and to
prevent bushing damage after the at-

taching nut has been torqued. Insert

the center link stud through the hole

in the end of the idler arm and install

the nut and washer.

On Lincoln Continental models, in-

sert the center link stud through the

hole in the end of the idler arm insur-

ing that the seal is properly installed

on the center link.

3.
Torque the idler arm rod nut to

specification and install a new cotter

pin.

PITMAN ARM

REPLACEMENT

REMOVAL

1.
Remove the cotter pin from the

castellated nut that attaches the steer-

ing center link to the Pitman arm.

Remove the castellated nut.

2.
Disconnect the steering center

link from the Pitman arm with tool

3290-C.

3.
Remove the Pitman arm attaching

nut and lock washer.

4.
Position the front wheels in the

straight ahead position. Remove the

Pitman arm with tool T64P-3590-F

(Fig. 23).

INSTALLATION

1.
With the front wheels in the

straight ahead position, place the Pit-

man arm on the sector shaft making

sure it is pointing forward.

2.
Install the nut and lock washer.

Torque the nut to specification.

G1663-A

FIG. 23— Removing Pitman

Arm—Typicalprocarmanuals.com

03-06-02
Manual Steering

03-06-02

IN-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS

STEERING WORM AND

SECTOR

GEAR ADJUSTMENTS

The ball nut assembly and the sec-

tor gear must be adjusted properly to

maintain minimum steering shaft end

play (a factor of preload adjustment)

and minimum backlash between sector

gear and ball nut. There are only two

possible adjustments within the recir-

culating ball-type steering gear, and

these should be made in the following

order to avoid damage or gear failure.

1.
Disconnect the Pitman arm from

the steering Pitman-to-idler arm rod.

2.
Loosen the nut which locks the

sector adjusting screw (Fig. 3), and

turn the adjusting screw counterclock-

wise.
(On models equipped with the

Cobra Jet engine, it may be necessary

to use a suitable holding tool with an

extension and a long screwdriver to

make the gear adjustment).

3.
Measure the worm bearing pre-

load by attaching an in-lb torque

wrench to the steering wheel nut (Fig.

4).
With the steering wheel off center,

read the pull required to rotate the

input shaft approximately 1 1/2 turns

either side of center. If the torque or

preload is not within specification

(Part 3-1), adjust as explained in the

next step.
.•ADJUSTER
LOCK
NUT

SECTOR
SHAFT

ADJUSTING
SCREW
G
1627-A

FIG. 3—Steering Gear

Adjustments—Typical

4.
Loosen the steering shaft bearing

adjuster lock nut, and tighten or back

off the bearing adjuster (Fig. 1) to

bring the preload within the specified

limits.

5.
Tighten the steering shaft bear-

ing adjuster lock nut, and recheck the

preload.

6. Turn the steering wheel slowly to

either stop. Turn gently against the

stop to avoid possible damage to the

ball return guides. Then rotate the

wheel 2-3/4 turns to center the ball

nut.
7.
Turn the sector adjusting screw

clockwise until the specified torque

(Part 3-13) is necessary to rotate the

worm past its center (high spot) (Fig.

1).

8. While holding the sector adjust-

ing screw, tighten the sector adjusting

screw locknut to specification, and re-

check the backlash adjustment.

9. Connect the Pitman arm to the

steering arm-to-idler arm rod.

G-1495-A

FIG. 4—Checking Steering Gear

Preload—Typical

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

STEERING GEAR

REMOVAL

1.
Remove the bolt(s) that retains

the flex coupling to the steering shaft.

2.
Remove the nut and lock washer

that secures the Pitman arm to the

sector shaft using Tool T64P-3590-F

(Fig. 5).

3.
To obtain clearance on some

models equipped with standard trans-

mission, it may be necessary to dis-

connect the clutch linkage. On some

8-cylinder models, it may be necessary

to lower the exhaust system.

4.
Remove the steering gear-to-side

rail bolts and remove the gear.
Too /-MB
STEERING
GEAR
HOUSING

T64P-3590.F

(PITMAN
"APU'^M
-
.-. •
-"
•.:,.17''i.a—
r.iMI.
A

F'G.
5—Removing Pitman Arm
INSTALLATION

1.
Position the steering gear and

flex coupling in place; then, install

and torque the steering gear-to-side

rail bolts to specification (Part 3-13).

2.
If the clutch linkage has been

disconnected, reposition, install and

adjust it. If the exhaust system has

been lowered, reinstall it to its proper

position.

3.
Position the Pitman arm and the

sector shaft and install the attaching

nut and lock washer. Torque the nut

to specification.

4.
Install and connect the flex cou-

pling attaching nut(s) and torque it to

specification (Part 3-13).procarmanuals.com