Genuine 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Rack And Pinion

1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How is the Rack and Pinion maintained and adjusted for optimal performance on 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass?

  A: The lubricant is used in the Rack And Pinion for the lifetime and in the event the gear is not overhauled due to a leakage, refilling is not necessary. For problems relative to lost motion, slackness, and vibration associated with the Rack And Pinion, consult the following steps: Turn off the car at the battery by removing the ground cable from the battery terminal. Subsequently, unscrew the nut from the Pitman arm and note the orientation of the created gap with regard to the Pitman shaft; thereafter by applying a suitable extract pull the arm out. Unscrew and loosen the adjuster plug locknut on the Rack And Pinion by turning it anticlockwise a quarter turn. Pull out the horn button or horn shroud and exercise the wheel to lock to the left and rotate half way to the right. A ¾ inch socket should be used on the centre nut of the steering wheel and measure the bearing drag in Newtons using a torque wrench or spring balance as the wheel is rotated through the arc of 90 degrees; the drag here is the magneto thrust bearing preload to the standard value. Turning the adjuster plug either in or out of the adjusting stud changes the preload and then the lock-nut must be tightened. If there is any vibratory feeling when the steering wheel is being rotated it suggests bad or worn bearings. Jam on the steering from lock to lock and count the number of turns and then make a turn of the Rack And Pinion equal to half that count to align the Rack And Pinion. Release the lash adjuster screw locknut and rotate the screw clockwise to get rid of all lash between the ball nut and the Pitman shaft sector teeth and tight up the locknut to the specified torque setting. Finally check the 'over-center' preload while the wheel is in its centered position and the highest torque reading should be recorded and compared with the torque specifications noted earlier. If it is necessary, slightly loosen the angle of the lash adjuster screw; replace the Pitman arm and the horn cover back, reconnect the ground terminal of battery.