Section 11-03: Steering Linkage
1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, Bronco and F-Super Duty Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Drag Link

Replace the steering sector shaft arm drag link (3304) or tie rod end (3A130) if any of the following conditions are present:

Replace the front suspension steering ball stud dust seal (3332) if any nicks, cuts or tears are present. Do not attempt to straighten a steering sector shaft arm drag link or tie rod end.

SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED
DescriptionTool Number
Pitman Arm PullerT64P-3590-F

Removal

  1. Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the steering sector shaft arm drag link and tie rod ball studs.

  1. Using Pitman Arm Puller T64P-3590-F, remove the drag link ball studs from the right-hand front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve (3310) and steering gear sector shaft arm (3590). Remove the tie rod ball studs from the left-hand front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve and the steering sector shaft arm drag link.

Installation

  1. NOTE: When installing new steering sector shaft arm drag link or tie rod ends or front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeves, turn the parts into the front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve about the same distance used for the old assembly. Equalize the thread engagement of the short and long tie rod ends in the front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve. This will provide an approximate toe-in setting.

    Position the drag link ball studs into the right-hand front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve and the steering gear sector shaft arm. Position the tie rod ball studs into the left-hand front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve and the steering sector shaft arm drag link.

  1. NOTE: Steering linkage must be installed with the steering gear (3504) on center (±45 degrees of power steering gear input shaft and control (3D517)). Ball studs must be seated in tapered hole to prevent rotation while tightening attaching nuts.

    Seat the studs into the tapered hole before tightening the nuts. Tighten the nuts to 70-100 Nm (51-73 lb-ft).

  1. Install new cotter pins.

  1. Check toe-in. Refer to Section 04-00. Check clear vision. Refer to Section 11-00.

  1. After checking or adjusting toe-in, center tie rod adjusting sleeve clamp (3287) between locating nibs. Tighten the nuts to 40-57 Nm (30-42 lb-ft).

  1. After setting toe-in, the two bolts and nuts on tie rod adjusting sleeve clamp for the front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve must be positioned within a limit of 45 degrees (±). As shown in the illustrations, the threaded end of the bolts on the left front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve points toward the front of the vehicle. The front of the vehicle and the threaded end of the bolts on the right front wheel spindle tie rod adjusting sleeve are facing rearward.