Steering System - Power Mazda 323 BF

DESCRIPTION

Steering system is a power-assisted rack and pinion. The system consists of a rack and pinion steering gear and power assist pump/reservoir. The steering gear and pump/reservoir are connected by flexible hoses.

Pump Fluid Pressure Test

1. Disconnect pressure hose and connect pressure gauge/valve between steering pump and steering gear. (Scheme 7) Bleed any air from system. Open valve fully. Start engine and idle. NOTE: Place gauge set valve on gear housing side.
2. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock to increase fluid temperature to 122-140°F (50-60°C). To measure pump fluid pressure, completely close gauge valve for 15 seconds and increase engine speed to 1000-1500 RPM. See «HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FLUID PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS»(/mazda/323/bf-1985-1993/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power). If pump pressure is not to specification, pump overhaul/replacement is necessary.

Gear Fluid Pressure Test

1. Ensure pump pressure is within specification. To measure steering gear fluid pressure, open gauge/valve completely.
2. Increase engine speed to 1000-1500 RPM. Turn steering wheel from lock-to-lock. See «HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FLUID PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS»(/mazda/323/bf-1985-1993/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) . If steering gear fluid pressure is less than specification, steering gear is defective.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FLUID PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS (1)

Scheme 7

CAPACITY

See POWER STEERING FLUID CAPACITY .

POWER STEERING FLUID CAPACITY

FLUID TYPE

Dexron-II is recommended for all vehicles.

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

Fluid level should be checked before engine is started with fluid still cool. Remove fluid level gauge on oil pump or reservoir. Check fluid level. Fluid should be between "L" and "H" marks on level gauge dipstick. If fluid is needed, fill through gauge tube. Recheck fluid level. DO NOT overfill.

HYDRAULIC FLUID BLEEDING

1. Raise and support front of vehicle. With ignition off, turn steering wheel completely lock-to-lock several times. Add fluid as required. Repeat this procedure until fluid level no longer decreases.
2. Start engine and let idle. Turn steering wheel completely lock-to-lock five times. Check fluid level. Add fluid as necessary. Continue this procedure until fluid is clear and does not decrease in level.

ADJUSTMENTS

Note. Any adjustments are made during the reassembly procedure. See OVERHAUL in this article.

POWER STEERING BELT ADJUSTMENT

See POWER STEERING BELT DEFLECTION .

POWER STEERING BELT DEFLECTION (1)

STEERING GEAR

Note. On 323 4WD, it is necessary to lower drivetrain to remove steering gear assembly. DO NOT lower drivetrain too far or axle shaft boots may be damaged.

Removal & Installation (2WD & 4WD)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove engine under cover.
2. Remove cotter pins and castle nuts from tie rod ends. Remove tie rods from steering knuckles with suitable puller. Remove steering column intermediate shaft-to-steering gear pinion shaft bolt. Remove pressure and return hose connections from steering gear box. Remove all accessible steering gear mounting bracket upper nuts and lower bolts.
3. On 4WD models, removing steering gear lower left mounting bolt may require these additional steps. Support drivetrain from above. Loosen stabilizer bar left mounting bracket and remove engine mount crossmember.
4. On 4WD models, remove transmission control cable clip. Remove transfer case mount nuts. Lower engine gradually, until rear engine mount bolts can be removed. Remove lower left steering gear mounting bolt from between transaxle and transfer case.
5. On all models, remove steering gear. To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed system. Tighten bolts to specification.

Removal

1. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove belt, alternator and hydraulic lines from pump.
2. Disconnect air cleaner duct and pressure switch. Cap lines to prevent contamination. Remove bracket-to-pump bolts.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust belt tension. See POWER STEERING BELT DEFLECTION . Bleed air from system. Check for leaks.

Disassembly

1. Place steering gear in a soft-jawed vise. Remove tie rod ends, boot clips and boots. Lift up caulked portion of washer with chisel and remove rack end, washer and damper ring as an assembly.
2. Remove pressure lines, bracket and mounting rubber. Remove oil seal. Remove valve case and gasket together. Loosen adjusting plug lock nut. Remove adjusting plug, spring and rack support.
3. Loosen lock nut on bottom side of pinion. Remove plug and thrust washer. Remove spacer and ball bearing from opposite side at same time.
4. Remove pinion and thrust washer. Using a drill, countersink caulking portion between pinion housing and cylinder. Remove pinion housing.
5. Slowly pull out rack and outer seal. Tap lightly on pinion side of gear housing. Remove wire ring and inner seal. Push in to remove inner box.

Scheme 8

Reassembly (323)

1. Before reassembly, coat (or fill) following parts with a lithium base grease: pinion teeth, mating surface between installed pinion and gear housing, sliding parts, rear surface of rack support, rack teeth, tie rod ball joints and inside right and left boots.
2. Place steering gear in a soft-jawed vise. Install outer seal on non-tooth side of rack. Install rack in housing. Install wire ring and inner seal.
3. Install pinion, insert thrust bearing with its slide surface (Gray side) facing bearing. Position ball bearing and spacer at opposite side.
4. Install thrust washer, lock nut and housing cover. Tighten housing cover to 29-36 ft. lbs. (40-50 N.m). Back housing cover off 10-20 degrees. Install and tighten housing cover lock nut.
5. Install rack support, spring and adjusting plug. Tighten adjusting plug to 29-36 ft. lbs. (40-50 N.m) and back off 40-60 degrees. Install and tighten lock nut.
6. Install gasket and valve case in steering gear. Lightly tap in oil seals. Check operating torque of pinion with a torque wrench.
7. Proper operating torque of pinion is 52-114 INCH lbs. (.5-1.1 N.m). Install return lines with new copper washers. Reverse removal procedure to install steering linkage.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FLUID PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS