Manual Steering System

System Description

6-3. The steering system consists of a steering wheel assembly, steering column assembly, steering gear and pitman arm assembly, drag link, steering axle assembly, spindles and wheel hubs. The two-section steering column connects through a universal joint and flexible coupling to the steering gear and pitman arm assembly. The steering gear assembly is a conventional worm and sector gear unit. The pitman arm connects the output shaft of the gear assembly through a drag link to the steering axle center arm. Tie rods connect the center arm to each wheel spindle assembly.

Steering Wheel Assembly

6-6. REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY. (See Figure 62.)

a. Disconnect the battery connector.

b. Carefully pry off the horn button cover.

c. Remove the three screws securing the base plate, then remove the base plate.

d. Slip the rod, with the holder attached, up out of the shaft. The holder is threaded on the rod and “locked” with adhesive.

e. Back off the 5/8-inch UNC steering wheel nut to the end of the shaft.

f. Remove the steering wheel using a steering wheel puller.

6-7. INSPECTION. (Refer to Table 6-1.)

Components

6-4. DESCRIPTION. (See Figure 6-2.)

6-5. The steering wheel assembly consists of the steering wheel, horn button cover, base plate and a rod with attached holder to operate a column cover mounted horn switch. When the horn button cover is depressed, it operates the rod to trip the horn switch. The steering wheel is splined to the steering column and secured by a lockwasher and nut.

6-8. REASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION. (See Figure 6-2.)

a. With the steering wheels straight ahead, install the steering wheel with one spoke pointing to the 12 o’clock position. Install the washer and nut on the shaft.

b. Install the rod, with the holder attached, into the shaft.

c. Install the base plate and secure with the three screws.

d. Install the horn button cover by forcing the cover “ring” into position in the holder.