Steering Alignment - Toe Set Procedure (98-16-9)

STEERING ALIGNMENT - TOE SET PROCEDURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

STEERING - ALIGNMENT - TOE SET PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP

Model(s): Ford Light Truck: 1997-98 Expedition, F-150, F-250

Lincoln-Mercury: 1997-98 Navigator Bulletin No.: 98-16-9 Date: August 17, 1998

ISSUE

It may be difficult to set toe with the jam nut tie rod sleeve while performing an alignment on some vehicles. This may be caused by the toe adjusting sleeve moving when the opposing jam nut is torqued.

ACTION

Refer to the following SERVICE PROCEDURE  to ensure complete and accurate toe set/alignment by preventing the jam nut from backing off during the toe set procedure.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

When adjusting toe on 1997-98 F-150/F-250, Expedition, or Navigator, follow this procedure on each side of the vehicle when tightening the jam nuts .

1. Set toe to specification.
2. Make sure the inner and outer ball joint sockets are centered perpendicular to their studs.
3. Prevent the adjuster sleeve from rotating by securing it with a tool (pipe wrench or vise grip) against the lower control arm.
4. Torque one (1) jam nut to 90 N.m (66 ft-lb).
5. Paint a line across the adjuster sleeve and the torqued jam nut and another line across the torqued jam nut and tie rod threads.
6. With the wrench still preventing the adjuster sleeve from rotating, torque the other jam nut to 90 N.m (66 ft-lb).
7. Inspect the paint lines to be sure no relative movement of the adjuster sleeve, jam nut, or tie rod occurred.
8. If movement is detected or toe is no longer within specification, loosen both jam nuts, reset toe if necessary, and repeat procedure.
9. Repeat procedure for other side of vehicle.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

WARRANTY STATUS: Information Only.

OASIS CODES: 303000, 390000