Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSMERCURY1998SABLE V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISMAINTENANCEALIGNMENTSERVICE AND REPAIRSTEERING ANGLE
1998 Mercury Sable V6-3.0L DOHC VIN S
Steering Angle
1998 Mercury Sable V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SSECTION Steering Angle
NOTE: Perform the steering angle check before toe-in measurement (if any steering angle corrections have been made).
Check the wheel steering angles at full right and left positions. If the angles are not within specification, the front wheel spindle tie rod must be adjusted to the right or left until the steering angles are equal.
If the steering wheel cannot be centered with the steering angles within specification, check for improper assembly or installation of the following steering components:
^ power rack and pinion steering gear
^ steering column assembly
^ intermediate shaft universal joints
^ steering wheel
Adjust the steering angles as follows:
1. With paint or marking pen, mark both tie rod ends and jam nuts in their original positions. These reference marks will help in equalizing right and left adjustments.
2. Remove the bellows and free the bellows to prevent them from being twisted when the front wheel spindle tie rods are turned.
3. Loosen and back off the front wheel spindle connecting rod or end jam nuts.
4. To avoid toe-in change, turn one front wheel spindle tie rod into, and the other out of, the front wheel spindle tie rods by equal amounts. This shortens one front wheel spindle tie rod and lengthens the other, shifting the steering gear rack right or left until the rack teeth are centered on the pinion and rack travel from the centered position is equal in both directions. This equalizes the wheel steering angles but also rotates the pinion and steering wheel.
5. Position the wheels straight ahead and check the steering wheel centering. If close to correct, shift the rack and front wheel spindle tie rods left or right without turning the wheels to center the steering wheel. A shift to the left will turn the steering wheel clockwise, and a shift to the right will turn it counterclockwise, as seen from the driver seat.
6. Verify that the wheel steering angles are still within specification. If not within specification, the steering wheel can be removed and shifted on the steering gear input worm gear and rack to center it.
7. Reinstall bellows and bellows clamp.
Check the wheel steering angles at full right and left positions. If the angles are not within specification, the front wheel spindle tie rod must be adjusted to the right or left until the steering angles are equal.
If the steering wheel cannot be centered with the steering angles within specification, check for improper assembly or installation of the following steering components:
^ power rack and pinion steering gear
^ steering column assembly
^ intermediate shaft universal joints
^ steering wheel
Adjust the steering angles as follows:
1. With paint or marking pen, mark both tie rod ends and jam nuts in their original positions. These reference marks will help in equalizing right and left adjustments.
2. Remove the bellows and free the bellows to prevent them from being twisted when the front wheel spindle tie rods are turned.
3. Loosen and back off the front wheel spindle connecting rod or end jam nuts.
4. To avoid toe-in change, turn one front wheel spindle tie rod into, and the other out of, the front wheel spindle tie rods by equal amounts. This shortens one front wheel spindle tie rod and lengthens the other, shifting the steering gear rack right or left until the rack teeth are centered on the pinion and rack travel from the centered position is equal in both directions. This equalizes the wheel steering angles but also rotates the pinion and steering wheel.
5. Position the wheels straight ahead and check the steering wheel centering. If close to correct, shift the rack and front wheel spindle tie rods left or right without turning the wheels to center the steering wheel. A shift to the left will turn the steering wheel clockwise, and a shift to the right will turn it counterclockwise, as seen from the driver seat.
6. Verify that the wheel steering angles are still within specification. If not within specification, the steering wheel can be removed and shifted on the steering gear input worm gear and rack to center it.
7. Reinstall bellows and bellows clamp.
RENDER: 1.0x
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.