The 1995 F-150 uses an integral power steering gear that is usually remanufactured. The gear weighs 33 lbs., so care must be taken when removing the part -- it is heavier than it looks. The gear's input shaft has 26 splines, and it does not come with the Pitman arm. It takes four turns to turn the gear from lock to lock -- all the way from the left to the right.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack and support it with the jack stands. Turn the wheels so they are pointing straight ahead. Open the power steering pump reservoir and siphon as much power steering fluid out as you can, using the turkey baster or other siphoning device.
2Slide the drain pan under the steering gear. Disconnect the pressure and return lines, using the appropriate line wrench. Plug the openings with a rag. Remove the splash shield from the flex coupling.
3Disconnect the flex coupling at the gear, using the appropriate socket. Matchmark the Pitman arm and the sector shaft with the paint or chalk. Remove the Pitman arm from the sector shaft.
4Slide the floor jack under the steering gear to help support it. Remove the gear mounting bolts. Remove the steering gear from the engine compartment. Keep the gear to return to the store. If it is a remanufactured part, the store will have charged you a core fee. That core fee is refundable when you bring the old gear to them.
5Place the splash shield on the steering gear lugs. Slide the flex coupling into place on the steering shaft. Check that the steering wheel spokes are still horizontal. Center the steering gear input shaft with the indexing flat facing downward.
6Slide the steering gear input shaft into the flex coupling, then into place on the frame side rail. Install the flex coupling bolt and tighten it to 30 foot-pounds of torque. Reinstall the gear mounting bolts and tighten them to 65 foot-pounds of torque.
7Ensure the wheels are still straight, then install the Pitman arm. Tighten the nut to 230 foot-pounds of torque. Reconnect the pressure line. Reconnect the return line. Tighten the pressure line to 25 foot-pounds of torque. Snap the flex coupling shield into place.
8Refill the power steering pump reservoir with fresh fluid. Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to bleed the system. Check and top off the reservoir as needed. Check for leaks at the repair site.
