Power Steering Gear Replacement
REMOVAL PROCEDURE- Tools Required
J 21687-02 Tie Rod End Remover
NOTICE: Do not start the vehicle with any power steering gear inlet or outlet hoses disconnected. When disconnected, plug or cap all openings of components. Failure to do so could result in contamination or loss of power steering fluid and damage to the system.
1. Pull back the forward section of the driver side floor carpet.
2. Remove the steering shaft joint plastic cover (1 ) by hand.
3. Loosen the upper steering shaft joint bolt (1).
Do not remove the bolt.
4. Remove the lower steering shaft joint bolt (2) in order to separate the shaft from the pinion.
5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
6. Remove both of the front wheels.
7. Remove the cotter pin (5) and the castle nut (4) from each tie rod end (3).
8. Use the J 21687-02 in order to separate the tie rod ends from the right and the left steering knuckles.
9. Remove the front exhaust pipe. Refer to Front Pipe Replacement (W/TWC) in Exhaust System.
10. Remove the shift linkage and the extension rod from the manual transmission, if equipped. Refer to Gearshift Control Shaft and Extension Rod Replacement in Manual Transmission - M42 and M58, if equipped.
11. Remove the engine rear torque rod bracket from the automatic transmission, if equipped.
12. Remove the steering gear outlet pipe (1) from the gear assembly.
13. Remove the steering gear inlet pipe (2) from the gear assembly.
14. Remove cylinder pipe assemblies A (3) and B (4) from the gear assembly.
15. Remove the 4 bolts (1) from the gear mounting brackets in order to remove the steering gear from the bulkhead.
16. Perform the following steps in order to remove the steering gear from the vehicle:
16.1. Slide the steering gear slightly to the driver side.
16.2. Rotate the steering gear counterclockwise so that the pinion gear is between the transmission case and the frame rail.
16.3. Slide the steering gear to the passenger side until the left-side outer tie rod clears through the frame opening.
16.4. Lower the steering gear on a 45 degree angle.
16.5. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Perform the following steps in order to install the steering gear to the vehicle:
1.1. Position the steering gear unit underneath the engine compartment.
1.2. Slide in the right side of the steering gear through the passenger-side tie rod frame opening.
In order to ease the installation, the steering gear must be on a 45 degree angle relative to the vehicle. The pinion shaft must face down (toward the floor).
1.3. Raise the steering gear so that the steering gear is parallel to the vehicle.
1.4. Slide the driver side outer tie rod through the frame opening.
1.5. Rotate the steering gear clockwise until the pinion gear touches the transaxle case.
1.6. Slide the steering gear slightly to the driver side.
Continue to rotate the steering gear in a clockwise direction.
1.7. Align the pinion shaft through the floor opening.
NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
2. Install the steering gear to the bulkhead with the 2 mounting brackets and the 4 bolts.
Tighten the steering gear mounting bracket bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
3. Unplug the steering gear assembly inlet pipe.
4. Unplug the steering gear assembly outlet pipe.
5. Install cylinder pipe assemblies A (3) and B (4) to the steering gear.
6. Install the inlet (2) pipe to the steering gear.
7. Install the outlet (1) pipe to the steering gear.
- Tighten the 2 cylinder pipe assembly nuts C (6,7) to 27 Nm (19.5 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the 2 cylinder pipe assembly nuts D (5) to 17 Nm (12.5 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the inlet and the outlet pipes to 40 Nm (28.5 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the shift linkage and the extension rod to the manual transmission, if equipped.
9. Install the engine rear torque rod bracket to the automatic transmission, if equipped.
10. Install the front exhaust pipe to the engine.
11. Install the right and the left tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Secure each tie rod end with 1 locknut.
12. Install the castle nuts to the tie rod ends. Align the holes for the cotter pin while you tighten the castle nuts to specification.
Tighten the tie rod end castle nuts to 43 Nm (32 ft. lbs.).
13. Install the right and the left cotter pins (5). Bend the pin ends in order to secure the pins.
14. Install the front tire and wheel assembly.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Install the lower steering shaft joint bolt in order to connect the shaft to pinion.
Tighten the upper and lower steering shaft joint bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
17. Install the steering shaft joint plastic cover (1) by hand.
18. Reposition the driver side floor carpet.
19. Fill the power steering fluid reservoir with new power steering fluid, if needed. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid.
20. Bleed the power steering system.
21. Inspect the toe setting. Adjust the setting, as needed. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment in Wheel Alignment.