Chrysler Le Baron, Dodge Dynasty, Plymouth Acclaim. Manual — part 71

POWER STEERING PUMP—INITIAL OPERATION

CAUTION: The fluid level should be checked with
engine off to prevent injury from moving compo-
nents. Use only Mopar

T

Power Steering Fluid. Do

not use automatic transmission fluid. Do not over-
fill.

Wipe filler cap clean, then check the fluid level.

The dipstick should indicate FULL COLD when the
fluid is at normal temperature of approximately 21°C
to 27°C (70°F to 80°F).

(1) Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the

proper level.

(2) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.

Then turn the

engine off.
(3) Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above proce-

dure until the fluid level remains constant after run-
ning the engine.

(4) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(5) Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering

wheel right and left, lightly contacting the wheel
stops. Then turn the engine off.

(6) Add power steering fluid if necessary.
(7) Lower the vehicle and turn the steering wheel

slowly from lock to lock.

(8) Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and refill

as required.

(9) If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehi-

cle to stand a few minutes and repeat the above pro-
cedure.

Fig. 4 Remove Reservoir (Typical)

Fig. 5 Flow Control Valve Fitting

Removal/Installation

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STEERING

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POWER STEERING GEAR

INDEX

page

page

General Information

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Outer Tie Rod

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Steering Gear Service

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

GENERAL INFORMATION

The power steering gear (Fig. 1) should NOT be

serviced or adjusted. If a malfunction or oil leak
occurs. The complete steering gear should be
replaced.

If a steering gear boot needs to be replaced due to

damage, refer to the power steering gear service sec-
tion in this manual for proper procedure.

The power steering system consists of these four

major components. Power Steering Gear, Power Steer-
ing Pump, Pressure Hose, and Return Line. Turning of
the steering wheel is converted into linear travel
through the meshing of the helical pinion teeth with
the rack teeth. Power assist steering is provided by an
open center, rotary type control valve which directs oil
from the pump to either side of the integral rack piston.

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 movement
directs oil behind the integral rack piston, which, in
turn, builds up hydraulic pressure and assists in the
turning effort.

The drive tangs on the pinion of the power steering

pump mate loosely with a stub shaft. This is to permit
manual steering control to be maintained if the drive
belt on the power steering pump should break. How-
ever, under these conditions, steering effort will be
increased.

STEERING GEAR SERVICE

The power steering gear should NOT be ser-

viced or adjusted. If a malfunction or oil leak
occurs. The complete steering gear should be
replaced.

REMOVAL

(1) Raise vehicle See Hoisting, Group 0. Put oil drain

pan under vehicle to catch power steering fluid.

(2) Remove front road wheels.
(3) Remove both tie rod ends from steering knuckles,

using Puller Special Tool C-3894-A (Fig. 1).

(4) Disconnect engine damper strut from crossmem-

ber (if so equipped).

(5) Remove the 3 front suspension crossmember at-

taching bolts and the nut (Fig. 2) from the locating
stud. Lower front suspension crossmember, using

Fig. 1 Power Steering Gear Assembly

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STEERING

19 - 25

transmission jack, so that the steering gear can be
disconnected from the steering column.

(6) Remove fluid tubes (Fig. 3) from the power

steering pump to the steering gear. See hose removal
procedure.

(7) Remove the 4 bolts (Fig. 3) attaching steering

gear to front suspension crossmember.

(8) Remove steering gear assembly from crossmem-

ber.

INSTALLATION

An assistant will be required in the vehicle, at

the time of steering gear replacement. To help
guide the steering column coupling onto the
steering gear assembly.

(1) Install steering gear assembly on the front cross-

member. Install the 4 steering gear to front crossmem-
ber mounting bolts (Fig. 3).

(2) Using a transmission jack raise the front cross-

member and steering gear against the frame rails.
Install the 3 crossmember to frame rail attaching

Fig. 2 Crossmember Remove/Replace

Fig. 3 Steering Gear And Crossmember

Fig. 1 Tie Rod End Removal

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STEERING

Ä

bolts and nut on locating stud (Fig. 2). The right rear
crossmember stud is a pilot that correctly locates
the crossmember. Tighten down this bolt first,
then torque all 4 crossmember fasteners to 122
N

Im (90 ft. lbs.).

CAUTION: Proper torque on the crossmember to
frame rail mounting bolts is very important.

(3) Torque the 4 bolts (Fig. 3) attaching the steering

gear assembly to front crossmember, to 68 N

Im (50 ft.

lbs.). To ensure proper alignment of the steering
gear tighten left front bolt first.

(4) Attach the engine damper strut from the engine

to the crossmember (if so equipped).

(5) Attach the fluid tubes (Fig. 3) from the power

steering pump to the fittings on the steering gear.
Torque the fluid pressure line to steering gear tube nut
to 31 N

Im (275 in. lbs.).

(6) Mount the outer tie rod ends to the steering

knuckles. Install the tie rod end to steering knuckle
attaching nuts. Torque the tie rod end to steering
knuckle nuts to 52 N

Im (38 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin

in tie rod end.

(7) Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on

vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 129
N

Im (95 ft. lbs.).

(8) Lower vehicle.

CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid.

(9) Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the

(Full-Cold) proper level.

(10) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.

Then turn the

engine off.
(11) Add fluid if necessary.
(12) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(13) Start engine and turn steering wheel several

times from stop to stop to bleed air from fluid in
system. Stop engine, check fluid level, and inspect
system for leaks. Fill pump reservoir to correct
level with Mopar

t, Power Steering Fluid, or

equivalent. See Checking Fluid Level.

(14) Lower front wheels of vehicle back on the

ground.

(15) Adjust toe (Refer to Group 2 Suspension).

OUTER TIE ROD

REMOVAL

(1) Loosen inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam nut (Fig.

4).

(2) Remove outer tie rod to steering knuckle cotter

pin and attaching nut (Fig. 4).

(4) Remove the tie rod end from steering knuckles,

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

(5) Remove outer tie rod from inner tie rod.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install outer tie rod onto inner tie rod. Make

sure jam nut is on inner tie rod (Fig. 4).

(2) Do not tighten jam nut.
(3) Install outer tie rod onto steering knuckle. In-

stall tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut and
torque to 52 N

Im (38 ft.lbs.).

CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See Wheel
Alignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).

(4) Make toe adjustment by turning inner tie rod.
(5) Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to 75

N

Im (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Lubricate tie rod boot groove

with silicone type lubricant before installing outer
boot clamp, making sure boot is not twisted.

Fig. 4 Outer Tie Rod

Fig. 5 Tie Rod End Removal

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STEERING

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