To remove the rack and pinion assembly, first set the front wheels to the straight-ahead position and disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition key to the Run position to unlock the steering wheel, then loosen the lug nuts of both front wheels, raise the front of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands while blocking the rear wheels and setting the parking brake. Remove the front wheels, place a pan under the rack and pinion if equipped with power steering, detach the hoses and cap the ends to prevent fluid loss and contamination. Mark the relationship of the lower shaft universal joint to the rack and pinion input shaft for reassembly, remove the lower shaft pinch bolt, and slightly spread the clamp joints. Separate the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckle arms, flatten the locking tabs on the rack and pinion mounting bolts, and remove the bolts. Gently pull the rack and pinion assembly forward and down, away from the firewall, while having an assistant pull up on the lower shaft from inside the vehicle to dislocate it from the rack and pinion input shaft. Carefully lower the entire assembly down and out while guiding the power steering hoses out from behind the transaxle. For installation, if a new rack and pinion assembly is being used, remove the tie-rod ends from the original assembly and install them on the new unit at approximately the same setting, ensuring they are screwed on an equal amount. Center the rack and pinion by turning the pinion shaft to full lock in one direction, counting the turns to the opposite full lock position, and then turning it back through half the number of turns counted. Check that the front wheels are straight ahead, move the rack and pinion assembly into position on the firewall, and push the rack and pinion input shaft through the firewall opening. Have an assistant guide the lower shaft onto the input shaft, aligning the previously applied marks, then install and tighten the mounting bolts and lockwashers to the specified torque. Install a new lower shaft pinch bolt and tighten it, route the power steering hoses into the proper position if equipped, connect the tie-rod ends in the steering knuckle arms, install the wheels and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque. For power steering-equipped vehicles, connect the pressure and return lines and install them in the support bracket, turn the ignition key off, and reconnect the negative battery cable. Fill the fluid reservoir with the specified fluid and have the front end alignment checked by a dealer service department or an alignment shop.
Posted by FordPartsGiant Specialist 
