The 1984 through 1986 Ford F-150 is part of Ford's seventh generation models. It came with a choice of a 115-horsepower straight-6 engine, a 130-horsepower 302 cubic inch engine, and a 150-horsepower 352 cubic inch engine. The steering gear box in the small V-8 engine may wear out over time or it may malfunction, though a malfunction early in its life is rare.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with jack stands. Make sure the wheels are pointing forward. Slide the drain pan under the gear box.
2Disconnect the pressure and return lines using the appropriate line wrench. Cap the openings of the lines with shop rags or plastic caps. Remove the splash shield from the flex coupling, using the appropriate socket.
3Disconnect the flex coupling at the gear, using the appropriate socket. Matchmark the pitman arm to the sector shaft. Remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft. Slide the floor jack under the gear box to support it --- it is heavy. Remove the mounting bolts, using the appropriate socket, then remove the gear box. You may have to work it free of the flex coupling.
4Install the splash shield on the steering gear lugs. Slide the flex coupling in place on the steering shaft. Make sure the steering wheel spokes are still horizontal. Center the steering gear input shaft into the flex coupling and into place on the frame side rail.
5Install the flex coupling bolt and tighten it to 30 foot-pounds of torque. Reinstall the gear-mounting bolts and tighten them to 60 foot-pounds of torque. Check that the wheels are still straight. Install the pitman arm and tighten the nut to 200 foot-pounds of torque.
6Reconnect the pressure line with the line wrench. Reconnect the return line. Tighten the pressure line to 25 foot-pounds of torque. Snap the flex coupling shield into place. Fill the power steering pump reservoir.
7Start the engine. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to bleed the power steering system. Check for leaks. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.
