Hey Jack..
Here's the basic instruction from the 1996 manual
«1996 Continental Table of Contents»
«Group 11: STEERING SYSTEM»
«Section 11-02: Steering System, Power»
«REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION»
Tie Rod End--Front Wheel
Steering Gear Installed
Removal:
1. Remove and discard cotter pin and nut from worn tie rod end ball stud.
2. Disconnect tie rod end from front wheel knuckle using Tie Rod Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
Some removal tool suggestions
3. Hold tie rod end with a wrench and loosen front wheel spindle connecting rod jam nut.
4. Mark depth to which front wheel spindle tie rod is located; then grip front wheel spindle tie rod with a pair of suitable pliers and remove tie rod end assembly from front wheel spindle tie rod.
Installation
1. Clean front wheel spindle tie rod threads.
2. Thread new tie rod end onto front wheel spindle tie rod to same depth as removed tie rod end.
3. Place tie rod end stud into front wheel knuckle. Make sure front wheels are pointed straight ahead before connecting stud to front wheel knuckle.
4. Install a new nut on tie rod end stud. Tighten nut to 47-63 N-m (35-46 lb-ft) and continue tightening nut to align next castellation of nut with cotter pin hole in stud. Install a new cotter pin.
5. Set toe to specification from table below. Tighten jam nut to 47-63 N-m (35-46 lb-ft).
It's tough to make a table here, but here goes....
Front Wheel Alignment Specifications (Curb Height With 1/2 Tank of Fuel)
Alignment Factors 1996 Conti...
Item==========Nominal==========Minimum==========Maximum
Camber
=========== -0.7 degree===== -1.3 degrees===== -0.10degrees
Camber Difference (left minus right)
=========== 0 degrees====== -0.7 degree====== +0.7 degree
Caster
=========== +4.5 degrees==== +3.5 degrees===== +5.5 degrees
Caster Difference (left minus right)
=========== 0 degrees====== -0.75 degree===== +0.75 degree
Total Toe Degree
(a)
=========== -0.20 degree==== -0.45 degree===== +0.05 degree
Total Toe Inch
(a)
=========== -0.1 inch======= -0.225 inch====== +0.025 inch
Total Toe mm
(a)
=========== -2.54 mm======= -5.715 mm====== +0.635 mm
Clear Vision
(b)
=========== -0.4 degree===== -3.4 degrees===== +2.6 degrees
(a) - Positive value specification for toe is toe-in, negative value
specification for toe is toe-out.
(b) - Negative value specification for clear vision is counterclockwise.