Steering Gear: Service and Repair
Steering Gear Replacement
Removal Procedure
Notice: The steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the following components:
* The steering column
* The steering shaft coupling
* The intermediate shaft
* The lower steering shaft
After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
1. LOCK the steering column and verify the front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
2. Move the silencer pad away from the steering column.
3. Use paint in order to place match marks on the steering shaft coupling (3) and on the intermediate shaft (4).
4. Loosen the upper coupling bolt (7).
5. Remove the lower coupling bolt (6).
6. Remove the steering column hole cover (4) from the bulkhead.
7. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture (Engine Support Fixture).
8. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service Intervals).
9. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
10. Remove the left engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side).
11. Remove the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side).
12. Remove the 2 outer tie rod ends (10, 15). Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement (Service and Repair).
13. Place a drain pan under the vehicle in order to collect the fluid from the power steering system.
Notice: Refer to Power Steering Hose Disconnected Notice (Service Precautions).
14. Remove the pressure and return pipes (2, 3) from the steering gear.
15. Remove the bolt and the pipe bracket from the steering gear.
16. Remove the following components together as a unit. Refer to Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement (FWD) (Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement (FWD)).
* The steering gear
* The intermediate steering shaft
* The front suspension crossmember
* The trans support
* The 2 control arms
* The front stabilizer shaft
17. Remove the bolt and the rear engine mount insulator from the crossmember.
18. Remove the 3 bolts and the rear engine mount bracket from the crossmember.
19. Use paint in order to place match marks on the intermediate shaft (3) and on the steering gear (2).
20. Remove the bolt (5).
21. Remove the intermediate shaft (4).
22. Remove the 4 bolts and the steering gear from the crossmember.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the rear engine mount bracket to the crossmember.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice).
2. Install the 3 bolts to the rear engine mount bracket.
Tighten the bolts to 64 N.m (47.2 lb ft).
3. Install the rear engine mount insulator to the crossmember.
4. Install the bolt to the rear engine mount insulator.
Tighten the bolt to 87 N.m (64.2 lb ft).
5. If you are replacing the steering gear or the intermediate shaft, copy the match marks from the old parts to the same locations on the new parts.
6. Install the steering gear (11) and the 4 bolts (7, 12, 13, 14) to the crossmember.
Tighten the bolts to 58 N.m (42.8 lb ft).
7. Install the intermediate shaft (5) to the steering gear. Align the match marks.
8. Install the bolt (6) to the intermediate shaft.
Tighten the bolt to 35 N.m (25.8 lb ft).
9. Install the steering column hole cover (4) to the bulkhead.
10. Install the following components as a unit. Refer to Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement (FWD) (Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement (FWD)).
* The steering gear
* The intermediate steering shaft
* The front suspension crossmember
* The trans support
* The 2 control arms
* The front stabilizer shaft
11. Install the 2 outer tie rod ends (10, 15). Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement (Service and Repair).
Notice: Refer to Installing Hoses without Twists or Bends Notice (Installing Hoses without Twists or Bends Notice).
12. Install the pressure and return pipes (18) to the steering gear.
Tighten the pipe nuts to 23 N.m (17.0 lb ft).
13. Install the pipe bracket bolt (1).
Tighten the bolt to 7.8 N.m (69.04 lb in).
14. Install the left engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Left Side).
15. Install the right engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side (Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side).
16. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture (Engine Support Fixture).
19. Align the match marks on the intermediate shaft (4) and on the steering shaft coupling (3).
20. Install the lower coupling bolt (6).
Tighten the bolt to 35 N.m (25.8 lb ft).
21. Tighten the upper coupling bolt (7).
Tighten the bolt to 35 N.m (25.8 lb ft).
22. Place the silencer pad into the correct position.
Notice: Refer to Using Proper Power Steering Fluid Notice (Service Precautions).
23. Fill the power steering fluid reservoir. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid (Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid).
Notice: Refer to Air in the Power Steering System Notice (Service Precautions).
24. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding (Service and Repair).
25. Inspect the power steering system for leaks. Repair as necessary.
26. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement (Service and Repair).