Page 1 of 14 SECTION 211-02: Power Steering 1999 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Procedure revision date: 07/27/1998 Gear 5.0L Removal 1. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position. Do not lock the steering column. 2. WARNING: The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning off the air suspension switch located in the rear jack storage area. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs, which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations. Raise the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02. 3. Remove the engine oil cooler. For additional information, refer to Section 303-01C. 4. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04. 5. Remove the inner fender splash shields. 6. Remove the top motor mount nuts. 7. Remove the bolts and the radiator air deflector (8327). 8. Loosen the LH tie-rod end jam nuts.
Page 2 of 14 9. Disconnect the tie-rod ends (3A131). 1. Remove and discard the cotter pins. 2. Remove the castellated nuts. 3. Separate the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckles. Do not damage the tie-rod end seals. 10. Remove the LH tie-rod end. Count and record the number of turns required to remove the LH tie-rod end. 11. Remove the front stabilizer bar (5482). For additional information, refer to Section 204-01A. Mark the driver side end of the stabilizer bar for correct installation. 12. Remove the power steering fluid cooler to crossmember nuts.
Page 3 of 14 13. Disconnect the power steering return line hose (3A005) at the power steering fluid cooler (3F780). Allow the system to drain. 14. Disconnect the power steering return hose (3A713) and remove the power steering fluid cooler. 15. Disconnect the steering gear lines. 1. Disconnect the power steering pressure hose (3A719). 2. Disconnect the power steering return hose.
Page 4 of 14 16. Plug the ends of all fluid lines removed and ports in steering gear to prevent damage and entry of dirt. 17. Rotate the steering column shaft to access the Intermediate shaft pinch bolt. Remove the pinch bolt. 18. Lower the vehicle. 19. Turn the steering wheel back to the straight ahead position. Turn the ignition key to the locked position. 20. Raise the vehicle. 21. CAUTION: Do not rotate the steering wheel when the lower steering column shaft is disconnected, or damage to the air bag sliding contact will result. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear input shaft. 22. Raise the engine. Position a block of wood between a screw jack and the bottom of the oil pan to avoid damaging the oil pan while raising the engine.
Page 5 of 14 23. CAUTION: Hold the tops of the steering gear to crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes. Remove the nuts. 24. Remove the stud bolts and washers. 25. Remove the steering gear to crossmember insulator bushings.
Page 6 of 14 26. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the front of the vehicle. 27. Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached. 28. Move the steering gear (3504) as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible. 29. Move the LH front wheel spindle tie-rod (3280) forward to clear the crossmember. Turn the steering
Page 7 of 14 gear input shaft to the left until the stop is reached. 30. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Installation 1. Using the special tool, install new seals on the power steering return hose and power steering pressure hose. 2. NOTE: Make sure the steering gear input shaft is turned to the left until the stop is reached. NOTE: Handle the steering gear with caution to avoid damage to fluid transfer tubes and to avoid dimples in the tie-rod boots. Turn the steering gear input shaft to the right until the stop is reached. Note the number of turns required.
Page 8 of 14 3. NOTE: Make sure the steering gear control valve housing is turned toward the front of the vehicle. Install the steering gear into the RH opening of the crossmember. 4. Move the steering gear as far to the RH side of the vehicle as possible. 5. Move the LH front wheel spindle tie-rod into the opening in the crossmember and move the steering gear into position.
Page 9 of 14 6. To place the steering gear in the straight ahead position, turn the steering gear input shaft to the left by half the number of turns recorded previously. 7. Rotate the steering gear control valve housing toward the rear of the vehicle. 8. Install the steering gear to crossmember insulator bushings as shown. The large end of metal sleeve must be positioned downward. Check that the mounting surfaces on the crossmember are clean and free of debris. 9. Install the steering gear to crossmember washers and stud bolts. For additional information on correct mounting hardware orientation, refer to Power Steering in the Description and Operation portion of this section. 10. CAUTION: Hold the tops of the steering gear to crossmember stud bolts to avoid damaging the steering gear fluid transfer tubes. Install the nuts.
Page 10 of 14 11. Lower the engine (6007). 12. CAUTION: Do not rotate the steering wheel when the lower steering column shaft is disconnected, or damage to the air bag sliding contact (14A664) will result. Connect the intermediate shaft to the steering gear input shaft. Install the pinch bolt. 13. Connect the steering gear fluid lines. 1. Connect the power steering return hose. 2. Connect the power steering pressure hose. 14. Connect the power steering return hose to the power steering fluid cooler.
Page 11 of 14 15. Position the power steering fluid cooler and install the power steering fluid cooler to crossmember nuts. 16. Connect the power steering return line hose to the power steering fluid cooler. 17. Install the engine oil cooler. For additional information, refer to Section 303-01C. 18. Install the front stabilizer bar. For additional information, refer to Section 204-01A. Orientate the front stabilizer bar as noted during removal. 19. Install the tie-rod end. Rotate the tie-rod end the number of turns recorded during removal.
Page 12 of 14 20. Connect the tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles. 1. Position the tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles. 2. Install the castellated nuts. 3. Install the new cotter pins. Check that brake dust shields are not bent and are not in contact with the outer tie-rod boot seals. 21. Tighten the LH tie-rod end jam nut. 22. Install the radiator air deflector.
Page 13 of 14 23. Install the top engine mount nuts. 24. Install the inner fender splash shields. 25. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04. 26. NOTE: If equipped with air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch. Lower the vehicle. 27. Refill and bleed the engine cooling system. For additional information, refer to Section 303-03. 28. Fill and leak check the power steering system. For additional information, refer to Section 211-00. 29. Check the wheel alignment. For additional information, refer to Section 204-00.
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