Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Description and operation. Diagnosis and testing. Removal and installation

Description and operation

POWER STEERING GEAR

DESCRIPTION

The power steering gear is a recirculating ball type gear with a 14:1 ratio.

OPERATION

The gear acts as a rolling thread between the worm shaft and rack piston. The worm shaft is supported by a thrust bearing at the lower end and a bearing assembly at the upper end. When the worm shaft is turned the rack piston moves. The rack piston teeth mesh with the pitman shaft. Turning the worm shaft turns the pitman shaft, which turns the steering linkage.

CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

Diagnosis and testing

POWER STEERING GEAR LEAKAGE

Removal and installation

REMOVAL

(1) Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position with the steering wheel centered.

(2) Disconnect and cap the fluid hoses from steering gear.

(3) Remove the column coupler shaft from the gear.

(4) Remove pitman arm from gear.

(5) Remove the steering gear retaining bolts and remove the gear (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Steering Gear Mounting (LHD)

1 - FRAME
2 - WASHER
3 - SCREW
4 - ADAPTER
5 - GEAR

INSTALLATION

(1) Install steering gear (and bracket) on the frame rail and tighten bolts to 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.).

(2) Align the column coupler shaft to steering gear.

Install a new pinch bolt and tighten to 49 N·m (36 ft. lbs.).

(3) Align and install the pitman arm and tighten nut to 251 N·m (185 ft. lbs.).

(4) Connect fluid hoses to steering gear and tighten to 28 N·m (21 ft. lbs.).

(5) Fill power steering system to proper level.