Power Steering Gear Box

Remove and replace the power steering gear box (steering rack) on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 engine and RWD configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering gear box (steering rack) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Tie rod end cotter pins × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Penetrating oil × 1 — Use as needed

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for airbag system to discharge
4. Turn steering wheel to center position and install steering wheel holder to prevent rotation
5. Raise front of vehicle and support on jack stands at manufacturer-specified points
6. Remove both front wheels
7. Spray all steering linkage fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak 15-20 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark steering shaft coupling position
   Using a paint marker or tape, mark the exact relationship between the intermediate steering shaft and the steering gear box input shaft coupling. This ensures proper steering wheel alignment upon reassembly. Take a photo for reference.
2. 2

   Disconnect intermediate steering shaft
   From inside the vehicle or under the dash area, locate the steering shaft coupling bolt at the gear box input shaft. Remove the coupling bolt and carefully separate the intermediate shaft from the gear box. Support the shaft to prevent it from hanging.
   ⚠Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate once the shaft is disconnected to prevent clockspring damage.
   Torque spec

   Coupling Bolt42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect tie rod ends from knuckles
   Remove the cotter pins from both tie rod end castle nuts. Loosen but do not fully remove the tie rod end nuts. Use a pickle fork or tie rod separator to break the taper between the tie rod end and steering knuckle. Remove nuts and separate tie rod ends from both knuckles.
   ⚠Support the tie rod end when separating to prevent damage to the boot or ball joint.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod End Nut68 Nm (50 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect electrical connector
   Locate the electrical connector for the Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) motor on the steering gear box. Press the release tab and disconnect the connector. Secure it out of the way to prevent damage during removal.
5. 5

   Remove heat shield (if equipped)
   Some models have a heat shield protecting the steering gear box. Remove any bolts or clips securing the heat shield and set aside for reinstallation.
6. 6

   Remove steering gear mounting bolts
   Locate the steering gear mounting bolts securing the rack to the frame crossmember. There are typically two or three mounting points. Support the steering gear box with one hand or a jack, then remove all mounting bolts. Note the position and orientation of any brackets or washers.
   ⚠The steering gear box is heavy (approximately 25-30 lbs). Support it adequately before removing the final mounting bolt.
   Torque spec

   Rack Mounting Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove steering gear box from vehicle
   Carefully lower and maneuver the steering gear box out from the driver side of the vehicle. You may need to turn it at various angles to clear the frame, suspension components, and exhaust. Work slowly and check for any remaining connections or obstructions.
8. 8

   Transfer tie rods to new gear box
   If reusing tie rods, count and record the number of threads visible on the inner tie rod before removal. Remove outer tie rod ends from old gear box and install onto new unit at the same thread position to maintain approximate alignment. Lock jam nuts securely but do not final torque yet.
9. 9

   Install new steering gear box
   Position the new steering gear box into the vehicle from the driver side, maneuvering it into position. Align mounting holes with frame crossmember. Start all mounting bolts by hand before tightening to ensure proper alignment.
10. 10

    Torque steering gear mounting bolts
    Using a calibrated torque wrench, tighten the rack mounting bolts to specification in a cross-pattern if multiple bolts are present. Ensure the gear box is seated properly against the mounting surface before final torque.
    ℹ️Verify tightening sequence with factory service manual if available, as some applications require specific bolt sequencing.
    Torque spec

    Rack Mounting Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect intermediate steering shaft
    Align the marks made during disassembly and connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear input shaft. Ensure the coupling is fully engaged and seated. Install the coupling bolt and torque to specification.
    ⚠Verify the shaft coupling is fully engaged before torquing the bolt. An improperly seated coupling can fail and cause loss of steering control.
    Torque spec

    Coupling Bolt42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reconnect tie rod ends to knuckles
    Insert tie rod end studs into the steering knuckle tapers on both sides. Install tie rod end nuts and torque to specification. Install new cotter pins through the castle nut slots, bending the ends to secure.
    ⚠If the cotter pin hole does not align, tighten the nut up to an additional 1/6 turn to align. Never loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.
    Torque spec

    Tie Rod End Nut68 Nm (50 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect electrical connector
    Connect the EPAS motor electrical connector to the steering gear box, ensuring it clicks into place securely. Verify the connector lock is fully engaged.
14. 14

    Reinstall heat shield and wheels
    If removed, reinstall the heat shield with all mounting hardware. Install both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle to the ground and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Remove steering wheel holder and reconnect negative battery terminal
2. Clear any steering angle sensor codes using a professional scan tool if equipped
3. Perform steering angle sensor calibration procedure if vehicle is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Verification

• Start engine and verify no warning lights related to steering or EPAS system
• Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly while stationary to verify full range of motion and no binding
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area to verify proper steering operation and returnability
• Check for unusual noises, binding, or excessive play in the steering system
• Verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight - if not, professional wheel alignment is required
• Inspect all connection points for proper torque and security
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment as steering geometry will have changed

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