Mercury F8AZ-3504-BCRM Gear Assembly - Steering

To remove the steering gear, first, remove the stone shield by unclipping the lock tab and separating the shield into two halves. Tag the pressure and return lines on the steering gear and disconnect them. Remove the pinch bolt securing the flexible coupling to the steering gear. Raise the vehicle and remove the nut attaching the Pitman arm to the sector shaft. Remove the Pitman arm from the sector shaft. Support the steering gear and remove the steering gear attaching bolts. Work the gear free of the flex coupling and remove it. To install the steering gear, slide the flex coupling into place on the steering shaft assembly. Center the steering gear input shaft and slide it into the flex coupling clamp and into place on the frame side rail. Install the steering gear mounting bolts. Install the Pitman arm on the sector shaft and tighten the nut. Install the flex coupling-to-steering gear input shaft clamp bolt. Connect the pressure and return lines to the steering gear. Fill the reservoir and turn the steering wheel from stop to stop. Recheck the fluid level and start the engine to inspect for fluid leaks. Bleed the power steering system.

The first step is to remove the stone shield by unclipping a lock tab, allowing it to open into two halves for separation.