STEERING GEAR - POWER

1988 Jeep Cherokee

1987-88 STEERING

Jeep Power Steering Gears - Saginaw Rotary Valve

Cherokee, Comanche, Grand Wagoneer, Pickup, Wagoneer, Wrangler

DESCRIPTION

Steering gear is a recirculating ball-type, available in either a constant or a variable ratio design. Steel balls form a "rolling thread" between steering gear worm shaft and rack/piston nut. Worm shaft thrust is absorbed by a thrust bearing and two races at lower end, and by a bearing in adjuster plug at upper end.

This design puts spring pressure on worm shaft to ensure proper thrust bearing preload. Adjuster plug provides initial preload adjustment and service adjustment (when repairing gear). As worm shaft is turned right, rack/piston is moved upward in gear.

As worm shaft is turned left, rack/piston is moved downward in gear. The rack/piston teeth mesh with sector, which is forged as part of sector shaft. Rotating worm shaft moves sector shaft, which turns wheels through mechanical linkage. See Fig. 1.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

LUBRICATION

See POWER STEERING GENERAL SERVICING article.

TESTING

See POWER STEERING GENERAL SERVICING article.


Steering Shaft



30538

Fig. 1: Exploded View of Saginaw Rotary Valve Power Steering Gear

ADJUSTMENTS

THRUST BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT

  1. Remove steering gear from vehicle. Remove adjuster plug
    lock nut. Turn adjuster plug clockwise with a spanner wrench until
    plug is seated in housing. This will require 20-30 ft. lbs. (27-41 N.
    m) of torque.

  2. Place an index mark on housing opposite one spanner wrench
    hole in adjuster plug. Measure
    1/2" (13 mm) counterclockwise from mark
    and again mark housing. Rotate plug counterclockwise until hole in
    adjuster lines up with second mark.

  3. Tighten lock nut. Ensure adjuster remains in position.
    Attach an INCH lb. torque wrench to end of input shaft. Turn input
    shaft to right stop, then back
    1/4 turn.

  4. Using torque wrench measure rotational torque required to
    turn shaft. Reading should be taken with beam of torque wrench near
    vertical while turning it counterclockwise at an even rate. Torque
    reading should be
    4-10 INCH lbs. (.4-1.1 N.m). See. Fig. 2.

NOTE: If reading does not fall within this range, adjuster plug

may have turned while lock nut was being tightened. Steering gear may be incorrectly assembled or worm shaft thrust bearings and races may be defective. Repair as required and readjust preload.

30539

Fig. 2: Measuring Thrust Bearing Preload

OVER-CENTER PRELOAD TORQUE ADJUSTMENT

  1. Loosen adjuster screw lock nut. Back off adjuster screw
    until stopped, then turn in 1 full turn. Rotate input shaft from stop
    to stop counting number of turns. Turn shaft half way back to center
    position.

  2. Attach an INCH lb. torque wrench to input shaft. Turn

shaft from side to side through specified arc on each side of center. See OVER-CENTER PRELOAD chart. Note torque reading going over center. Adjust thrust bearing preload before over-center preload. See Fig. 3.

OVER-CENTER PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS - INCH LBS. (N.m)

Application

New Gears .. . Used Gears (2)

Arc

45. 45.

Over-Center

4-8 (.4-.9) 4-5 (.5-.6)

(1) Total

14 (1.5) 14 (1.5)

  1. - Total preload is sum of thrust bearing and over-center preload.

  2. - In service for more than 400 miles (640 km.).




30540

Fig. 3: Adjusting Over-Center Preload

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

POWER STEERING PUMP

Removal & Installation

  1. Loosen and remove pump drive belt. Disconnect pressure and
    return hoses from pump. Cap ends to prevent loss of fluid or
    contamination.

  2. Remove bracket-to-engine bolts. Remove pump and mounting
    bracket as an assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill
    and bleed system.

Fig. 4: Power Steering Pump (Cherokee & Commanche)

Fig. 5: Front Bracket Boltsp (Cherokee & Commanche)

STEERING GEAR

Removal

  1. Remove collapsible steering column. Raise and support
    vehicle. Place drain pan under steering gear assembly. Center steering
    gear. Disconnect hydraulic hoses from gear and cap ends. Disconnect
    steering linkage from pitman arm. Remove pitman arm from gear.

  2. Remove flexible coupling clamp bolt and bolts retaining
    steering gear to frame. Disconnect gear from flexible coupling and
    remove gear from vehicle. On Jeep CJ7 and Scrambler models, remove
    steering gear and mounting bracket as an assembly.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill pump reservoir. Bleed air from system. See POWER STEERING GENERAL SERVICING article.

OVERHAUL

SUBMERGED VANE POWER STEERING PUMP

Disassembly

1) Drain pump reservoir. Clean exterior of unit. Measure distance shaft protrudes from pulley, and record for assembly reference. Using pulley remover, remove pulley from shaft. Clamp pump in vise; DO NOT overtighten vise. Remove pressure line union, reservoir mounting stud and reservoir. See Fig. 6. Remove and discard pressure line union "O" rings.

  1. "O" Ring

  2. Cap/Dtpstick

  3. Reservoir

  4. End Plate

  5. Pressure Plate Spring

  6. Pressure Pfate

  7. Pump Ring

8 Retaining Ring 9. Vane

  1. Rotor

  2. Thrust Plate

  3. Dowel Pin

  4. Drive Shaft

  5. "O" Ring
    15- "Î" Ring


  1. "O" Ring

  2. Plug


  1. Plug

  2. Housing

20 Drive Shaft Seal

  1. Bushing

  2. Plug

23. "O" Ring 24 "O" Ring

  1. Dowel Pin

  2. Flow Conirol Valve

  3. Spfing

  4. "O" Ring

  5. End Plate Retaining Ring

  6. Reservoir Mounting Stud

  7. Pressure Line Union

Fig. 6: Exploded View of Pump Assembly (Grand Wagoneer & Wrangler) Courtesy of Chrysler Motors

  1. Using punch and screwdriver, remove end plate retaining
    ring. Remove end plate and pressure plate spring. Remove "O" ring,
    flow control valve and spring. Note direction of pump ring
    installation for reassembly reference.

  2. Using soft-faced hammer, tap end of drive shaft to loosen
    pressure plate. Remove pressure plate, pump ring, vanes, retaining
    ring, rotor and thrust plate assembly from body. Remove drive shaft.
    Using a screwdriver, pry drive shaft oil seal from housing. Remove
    dowel pins and seals.

Cleaning & Inspection

1) Clean all pump components in solvent, and blow dry.

Inspect flow control valve assembly for wear, scoring, burrs and other damage. Inspect seal bore for burrs, nicks and score marks.

  1. Inspect machined surfaces of body for scratches and burrs.
    Check "O" ring mating surfaces. Inspect drive shaft for excessive
    wear.

  2. Inspect pump ring for roughness. Check thrust plate and
    pressure plate for scoring and wear. Ensure vanes slide freely but fit
    snugly into slots. If vanes are loose in slots, replace rotor and/or
    vanes.

Reassembly

1) Before installation, coat all "O" rings, rotor, pressure

plate and end plate with petroleum jelly. Install new drive shaft seal in housing. Install "O" ring in third groove of housing. Install dowel pins in thrust plate. Install drive shaft through thrust plate and rotor. Install NEW retaining ring. Ensure rotor slides freely on drive shaft splines.

  1. Install drive shaft in pump housing. Ensure thrust plate
    engages with dowel pins. Install pump ring on dowel pins with rotation
    arrow facing upward. Install vanes with rounded edges toward pump
    ring.

  2. Lubricate outer chamfered edge of pressure plate with
    petroleum jelly. Install pressure plate with spring groove facing
    upward. To seat pressure plate, place large socket on pressure plate
    and press downward approximately
    1/16".

  3. Install end plate "O" ring in second groove of housing.
    Install pressure plate spring and end plate in housing. Press end
    plate downward, and install retaining ring. Install
    "O" ring, flow
    control valve and spring.

  4. Install mounting stud and pressure line union "O" rings in
    rear of pump housing. Lubricate inner edge of reservoir with petroleum
    jelly, and install. Install mounting stud. Tighten stud to
    specification. Install pressure line union, and tighten to
    specification. See appropriate table under TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

  5. Using Pump Pulley Installer (J-25033-B), install pulley on
    pump shaft. Ensure shaft protrudes distance measured in disassembly
    procedure.

  6. When replacing plastic pulley with metal pulley, install
    pulley flush with end of shaft. Install pump on engine, and compare
    alignment with adjacent pulleys. If necessary, correct alignment by
    using pump pulley installer to adjust shaft protrusion.

NON-SUBMERGED VANE POWER STEERING PUMP

Disassembly

  1. Remove return tube. Clean exterior of unit. Measure
    distance shaft protrudes through pulley, and record for reassembly
    reference. Using pulley remover, remove pulley from shaft. Remove
    fitting,
    "O" ring, flow control valve and spring. See Fig. 7.

  2. Remove snap ring, drive shaft and bearing. Note direction
    of snap ring installation for reassembly reference. Support drive
    shaft bearing on inner race, and press drive shaft from bearing. Using
    screwdriver, remove drive shaft seal from housing.

  3. Insert punch into access hole to disengage and remove
    retaining ring. Using a brass drift, tap on thrust plate, and remove.
    Remove "O" ring, pump ring, rotor and vanes. Remove dowel pins,
    pressure plate,
    "O" ring and pressure plate spring. Remove "O" ring,
    dowel pin and sleeve.

9. Pump Housing

  1. Return Tube

  2. Dowel Pin

  3. Sleeve

  4. "O- Ring

  5. Pressure Plate Spring
    15.-Î’Ring

1 Snap Ring

  1. Drive Shaft Bearing

  2. Drive Shaft

  3. Drive Shaft Seal

  4. Fitting

  5. "0n Ring

  6. Flow Control Valve


  1. Pressure Plate

  2. Dowel Pins

  3. Vanes

  4. Rotor

  5. Pump Ring

  6. -Î" Ring

  7. Thrust Plate

8, Flow Control Valve Spring 23. Retaining Ring

Fig. 7: Exploded View of Cherokee & Comanche Pump Assembly Courtesy of Chrysler Motors

Cleaning & Inspection

1) Clean all pump components in solvent, and blow dry.

Inspect flow control valve assembly for wear, scoring, burrs and other damage. Inspect seal bore for burrs, nicks and score marks.

  1. Inspect machined surfaces of body for scratches and burrs.
    Check "O" ring mating surfaces. Inspect drive shaft and sleeve for
    wear.

  2. Inspect pump ring for roughness. Check thrust plate and
    pressure plate for scoring and wear. Ensure vanes slide freely but fit
    snugly into slots. If vanes are loose in slots, replace rotor and/or
    vanes.

Reassembly

  1. Lubricate all "O" rings, seals, pump ring, rotor and vanes
    with petroleum jelly. Install sleeve. Ensure sleeve is fully seated.

  2. Install "O" ring in sleeve seat. Install small dowel pin
    in pump housing. Install pressure plate spring and
    "O" ring. Install
    pressure plate with dowel pin hole aligned with dowel pin holes.
    Install dowel pins.

  3. Install pump ring with identification marks located

adjacent to one dowel pin. Install rotor with counterbore toward drive shaft end of housing.

4) Install vanes with rounded edges toward pump ring. Install
thrust plate "O" ring. Install thrust plate with indentations aligned
with bolt holes of housing. Install retaining ring.

CAUTION: Pump ring must be installed with identification marks located adjacent to dowel pins. Thrust plate must be installed so indentations in thrust plate align with bolt holes of housing and thrust plate engages with pump ring dowel pins.

  1. Using a socket, install drive shaft seal in housing until
    seal bottoms. Support drive shaft bearing on inner race, and press
    drive shaft into bearing. Install drive shaft and bearing in pump
    housing.

  2. Rotate drive shaft during installation to align with rotor
    serrations. Ensure bearing is fully seated in pump housing. Snap ring
    should be installed with large lug area (near snap ring pliers hole)
    positioned right of small lug (near snap ring pliers hole), ensuring
    beveled area of snap ring is properly positioned.

  3. Install spring, flow control valve and "O" rings. Install
    return tube with new
    "O" ring. Install pulley.

STEERING GEAR

Disassembly

  1. Cap all openings in gear. Clean gear exterior thoroughly.
    Mount gear in vise so that pitman shaft points downward. Rotate
    housing end plug retainer ring until one end of plug is over the hole
    in the housing.

  2. Force end of ring from groove in housing and remove.
    Rotate input shaft counterclockwise to force housing end plug out of
    housing. Rotate input shaft clockwise 1/2 turn to draw rack/piston
    inward. Remove piston end plug.

CAUTION: DO NOT rotate shaft more than is necessary to remove plug as ball bearings will fall out of worm and rack piston assembly.

3) Remove lock nut from sector shaft adjuster. Remove sector
shaft cover. Remove and discard
"O" ring from cover. Turn input shaft
until sector shaft teeth are centered in housing.

  1. Tap end of sector shaft with a soft-faced hammer to free
    shaft from housing, then remove sector shaft. Remove adjuster plug
    lock nut. Remove adjuster plug with a spanner wrench.

  2. Insert a rack/piston arbor into end of rack/piston until
    arbor just contacts worm shaft. Turn stub shaft counterclockwise to
    force rack/piston onto arbor. Remove rack/piston and arbor as an
    assembly.

  3. Take care to keep arbor fully inserted so ball bearings
    will not fall out. Remove input shaft and control valve assembly from
    housing. Remove worm, wormshaft lower thrust bearing, and races from
    housing.

Reassembly

1) Lubricate all parts with clean power steering fluid before reassembly. Install the lower thrust bearing and races onto the worm. Cupped side of thrust washers must face toward stub shaft. See Fig. 8.

30541

Fig. 8: Reassembly of Valve Body & Worm Shaft Assembly

NOTE: If conical thrust races are used, ensure tapered surfaces

are parallel to each other and that cupped sides face toward stub shaft.

  1. Install stub shaft cap "O" ring in valve body. Align valve
    body drive pin on worm with narrow pin slot in valve body. Worm drive
    lugs must engage in stub shaft cap.

  2. Install valve body and worm assembly into housing. Perform
    installation by pressing directly on valve body only. This will
    prevent stub shaft
    "O" ring from disengaging from valve body.

  3. Valve body is correctly seated when fluid return port in
    housing is fully visible. Ensure worm locating pin is fully engaged in
    valve body. Place seal protector over input shaft, install a new
    adjuster plug "O" ring, then install adjuster plug.

  4. Remove seal protector from housing and loosely install
    adjuster plug lock nut. Insert arbor and rack/piston into housing.
    Align worm and rack/piston and turn stub shaft clockwise to engage
    worm. Maintain pressure on arbor until worm is fully engaged.

  5. Turn input shaft clockwise until middle rack groove in
    rack/piston is aligned with center of sector shaft roller bearing.
    Remove arbor. Install a new sector shaft cover gasket.

  6. Thread sector shaft cover onto adjuster screw until
    bottomed. Back off 1 1/2 turns. Install sector shaft so that center
    gear tooth meshes with center groove in rack/piston. Install cover
    attaching bolts.

  7. Install adjuster lock nut halfway onto sector shaft.
    Install piston and plug in rack/piston. Install housing end plug
    "O"
    ring, end plug and retainer ring. Adjust worm bearing preload and
    over-center preload at this time.

ADJUSTER PLUG

Disassembly

  1. Remove thrust bearing retainer ring with a screwdriver,
    taking care not to score needle bearing bore. Discard retainer ring.
    Remove thrust bearing spacer, thrust bearing and bearing races.

  2. Remove and discard adjuster plug "O" ring, then remove
    input shaft seal retainer. Remove and discard dust seal. Pry input
    shaft seal from adjuster plug.

  3. Inspect needle bearing in adjuster plug. If necessary,
    remove bearing by pressing out from spacer end. See Fig. 9.

Inspection

Inspect thrust bearing for cracks and rollers for pitting, scoring, or cracking. Check thrust races and spacer for damage or damage. Replace parts as necessary.

Dust Seal

Needle Bearing

"0" Ring ò

Thrust Bearing i

Spacer

Retainer 30542

Fig. 9: Exploded View of Adjuster Plug Assembly

Reassembly

1) Press roller bearing into adjuster plug (identification end facing arbor) until bearing bottoms on input shaft seal bore.

Install input shaft seal with spring in seal facing adjuster plug.

  1. Install dust seal into adjuster plug. Rubber face of seal
    must face away from plug. Install retainer ring. Install adjuster plug
    "O" ring.

  2. Assemble thrust bearing, thrust bearing race, and thrust
    bearing spacer on adjuster plug. Using a brass or wooden dowel, press
    bearing retainer into needle bearing bore.

RACK/PISTON & WORM

Disassembly

Remove worm, lower thrust bearing and bearing races from rack piston. Remove piston ring and back-up "O" ring from rack/piston. Remove ball return guide clamp, ball return guide and all ball bearings from rack/piston.

Inspection

  1. Clean and dry all parts. Inspect worm and rack/piston
    grooves for scoring. Inspect ball bearings for damage. If any ball
    bearings are damaged, replace entire set. Check ball guides for
    pinching of ends.

  2. Inspect lower thrust bearing races for cracking, scoring,
    or pitting. Replace wormshaft and rack/piston as an assembly if either
    part is damaged. Inspect rack/piston teeth for chips, cracks, dents or
    scoring.

Reassembly

1) Install "O" ring and piston ring onto rack/piston using
care not to twist them. Install worm into rack/piston until worm is
against piston shoulder. Install ball bearings into rack/piston while
slowly rotating worm counterclockwise.

NOTE: See RACK PISTON & WORM ASSEMBLY BALL BEARINGS table for

number of balls to be installed. BE SURE to install light and dark colored balls alternately, as Black balls are .0005" smaller than Silver balls.

  1. Install correct number of balls in ball guide. Bearings in
    guide must be in sequence with bearings in rack/piston. Hold balls in
    place with chassis lubricant and install return ball guide assembly
    into position.

  2. Install clamp and tighten attaching bolts. Alternate light
    and dark colored balls when installing. See Fig. 10. Insert
    rack/piston arbor into rack/piston until it contacts worm. Maintain
    pressure on arbor, and back worm out of rack/piston. DO NOT allow ball
    bearings to drop out of circuits.

RACK PISTON & WORM ASSEMBLY BALL BEARINGS TABLE

Application Rack/Piston Guide

Jeep 18 6

30543

Fig. 10: Installing Ball Bearing into Rack/Piston Assembly

ROTARY VALVE

NOTE: Complete valve assembly is balanced during assembly. If replacement of any part other than rings or seals is necessary, replace complete assembly.

Disassembly

1) Remove and discard stub shaft cap "O" ring. Invert valve and lightly tap end of stub shaft against wood block until shaft cap is free of valve body. Pull stub shaft outward until drive pin hole is visible. Depress the pin to remove the stub shaft from the valve body. See Fig. 11.

NOTE: DO NOT pull shaft any further than 1/4" (6 mm) or spool valve may become cocked in valve body.



30335

Fig. 11: Pulling Shaft from Valve Assembly

2) Disengage drive pin and carefully remove stub shaft from
valve body and spool assembly with a twisting motion. If binding
occurs, realign valve and try removal again.

CAUTION: DO NOT force stub shaft or spool out of valve body.

3) Remove spool valve from valve body with twisting motion.
Remove and discard all "O" rings and Teflon rings.

Spool Valve ""’ "/J- ° RnQ

"0" Rings (3)

Stub Shaft

30334

Fig. 12: Exploded View of Valve Body Assembly

Reassembly

1) Lubricate all valve body components with power steering fluid. Install replacement back-up "O" rings in seal grooves and

install replacement seal rings over back-up rings. Take care not to damage seal rings during installation.

NOTE: Teflon seal rings may appear to be distorted after

installation. However, heat of operation will straighten them.

  1. Lubricate replacement spool valve damper "O" ring with
    petroleum jelly. Install on spool valve. Carefully insert spool valve
    into valve body.

  2. Push spool valve through valve body until locating pin
    hole is visible at opposite end of valve body and spool valve is flush
    with the notched end of the valve. Install stub shaft in spool valve
    and valve body.

  3. Be sure stub shaft locating pin is aligned with spool
    valve locating hole. Align notch in stub shaft cap with stub shaft
    locating pin and press sub shaft and spool valve into valve body.
    Install stub shaft cap
    "O" ring into valve body. See Fig. 13.

CAUTION: Before installing assembled valve body into gear housing, be sure valve body stub shaft locating pin is fully engaged in stub shaft cap notch. DO NOT allow stub shaft to disengage from valve body pin.


Notch



3Q336

Fig. 13: Aligning Pin & Notch for Input (Stub) Shaft

Stub shaft locating pin must align with spool valve locating hole.

STEERING GEAR HOUSING

Disassembly

  1. Remove sector shaft seal retaining ring and remove lower
    steel washer. Remove lower seal, spacer washer and upper seal from
    housing. Press sector shaft bearing out of housing from lower end.

  2. To remove hose connector seat, tap out seat using a 5/16"-

18 thread tap. Thread connector seats ONLY 2-3 threads. Install a bolt with a flat washer and nut into seat.

3) Hold bolt from turning and tighten nut to extract seat from housing. Some steering gear units have metric thread fittings and hose fittings which use "O" ring seals instead of connector seats. Remove check valve and spring from inlet port and discard.



30337

Fig. 14: Gear Housing Seals & Bearing

Inspection

1) Replace housing if bore is severely worn, scored or pitted. Minor scratches may be removed with crocus cloth. Inspect

housing ball plug for fluid leakage. Seat ball plug with blunt punch.

  1. Spray ball area with Loctite Solvent 7559 and dry with
    compressed air. Cover ball area with Loctite Sealant 290. Allow
    sealant to cure for 2 hours before assembling gear.

  2. Inspect all retaining ring, bearing and seal surfaces in
    housing. Replace housing if any surface is worn or damaged.

Reassembly

  1. Working from upper end, press a new bearing into housing
    until it is seated
    .030" (.76 mm) below shoulder in housing bore.
    Lubricate new seal with power steering fluid.

  2. Install single lipped seal and spacer washer only far
    enough to provide clearance for next seal, washer and retaining ring.
    DO NOT bottom seal against housing counterbore.

  3. Install double lipped seal and steel washer. Install
    retaining ring. DO NOT allow seals to contact one another. To ensure
    proper seal action, be sure there is clearance between them.

  4. If port seat was removed, position new spring, check
    valve, and a new seat over opening in housing. Drive into place using
    a brass drift.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

CHEROKEE, COMANCHE, WAGONEER & WRANGLER

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CHEROKEE, COMANCHE, WAGONEER & WRANGLER)
Application
Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Adjuster Plug Lock Nut 80 (108)

Gear Housing-to-Frame Attaching Bolts 75 (102)

Pitman Arm Attaching Nut 185 (250)

Rack Piston End Plug 50 (68)

Sector Shaft Adjuster Lock Nut 33 (45)

Side Cover Bolts 45 (60)

GRAND WAGONEER & "J" TRUCK)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (GRAND WAGONEER & "J" TRUCK)
Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Adjuster Plug Lock Nut 85 (116)

Gear Housing-to-Frame Attaching Bolts (95)

Pitman Arm Attaching Nut 185 (250)

Rack Piston End Plug 75 (102)

Sector Shaft Adjuster Lock Nut 33 (45)

Side Cover Bolts 40 (54)