Steering Gear - Clunk/Knock Noise While Turning

Article No.
94-9-4

05/04/94

^ STEERING - "CLUNK/KNOCK" NOISE FROM STEERING WHILE TURNING - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 3/16/94

^ NOISE - "CLUNK/KNOCK" FROM STEERING WHILE TURNING - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 3/16/94

FORD:
1993-94 PROBE

ISSUE:
A "clunk/knock" noise may be heard from the steering rack assembly while turning the steering wheel from left to right. This may be caused by insufficient yoke plug (pinion) preload. Steering performance is unaffected.

ACTION:
If the noise is loud, remove the steering gear assembly and adjust pinion preload using the revised specification. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

1. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle. Refer to the appropriate model year Probe Service Manual, Section 11-02.

2. Secure the steering gear in a soft-jawed vise.





3. Measure the rack yoke preload using Pinion Torque Adapter T92C-3504-AH. The correct torque at the neutral position +/- 90~ should be 1.0-1.4 N-m (9-12 lb.in.). At any other position, the torque should be 1.6 N-m (15 lb.in.), Figure 1.

4. If the rack preload is not within specifications, loosen the yoke locking nut.

NOTE:
APPLY THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND TO THE EXPOSED THREADS OF THE YOKE PLUG.

5. Use Yoke Plug Adapter T81P-3504-U to tighten the yoke plug to 9.8 N-m (87 lb.in.), then loosen it. Tighten the yoke plug again to 5 N-m (39-48 lb.in.), then loosen it 20~.

CAUTION:
DO NOT ALLOW THE YOKE PLUG TO TURN.

6. Install the yoke locking nut. Use Yoke Locknut Wrench T88C-3504-KH to tighten the yoke locking nut while holding the yoke plug to 40-59 N-m (36-43 lb.ft.).

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
940904A Adjust Steering Gear Pinion 2.0 Hrs.
Pre-Load - Auto Trans
940904B Adjust Steering Gear Pinion 2.1 Hrs.
Pre-Load - Manual Trans

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
3504 07

OASIS CODES: 303000, 702000, 702100, 790000