Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Steering Gear

Special Tool(s):

Material:

Removal

CAUTION: While repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of contaminants or premature failure of the power steering components can result.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
2. Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

^ Remove the key.

3. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected or damage to the clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Systems.

Remove the upper steering column shaft-to-lower steering column shaft bolt.





4. Remove the lower radiator air deflector.

5. CAUTION: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent turning of the stud while removing the nut.

CAUTION: Leave the tie-rod end nuts in place to protect the ball studs.

Loosen the 2 tie-rod end nuts.

6. CAUTION: Protect the ball joint seal to prevent damage.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
^ Remove and discard the tie-rod end nuts.





7. Remove and discard the 2 upper stabilizer bar link nuts.





8. Remove the engine support insulator-to-transaxle center bolt.





9. Remove the 2 steering gear heat shield bolts.





10. Remove the bolt, rotate the clamp plate and disconnect the power steering lines from the steering gear.

^ Discard the O-ring seals.





11. Using a suitable jack, support the subframe.
^ Remove the 6 subframe bolts.

12. NOTE: It is not necessary to separate the lower ball joints from the wheel knuckle when lowering the subframe.

Lower the subframe.





13. Remove the dash panel seal boot.
14. Remove the bolt and detach the lower steering column shaft from the steering gear.
^ Discard the bolt.
15. Remove the 2 steering gear bolts and the steering gear.

Installation
1. Position the steering gear and install the 2 steering gear bolts.
^ Tighten to 63 Nm (47 ft. lbs.).

2. WARNING: A new bolt must be installed. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Attach the lower steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the dash panel boot.
4. Using a suitable jack, align the front subframe. Insert the alignment pins through the front subframe alignment holes and washers, slide the locking plates on top of the washers and into the grove of the tool and tighten the alignment pin sleeve.
^ Raise the front subframe engaging the alignment pins into the chassis aligning holes.





5. CAUTION: While tightening the subframe bolts, make sure the front subframe does not move.

Install the 4 subframe lower bolts.
^ Tighten to 175 Nm (129 ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the subframe alignment pins.
7. Install the 2 subframe upper bolts.
^ Tighten to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).

8. CAUTION: New O-ring seals must be installed any time the lines are disconnected from the steering gear.

Install the power steering lines to the power steering gear, rotate the power steering line clamp plate and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 18 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).





9. Install the steering gear heat shield and the 2 heat shield bolts.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).





10. Install the support insulator-to-transaxle center bolt.
^ Tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).





11. Install the 2 stabilizer bar link nuts.
^ Tighten to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).





12. WARNING: Install new tie-rod end nuts. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Install the 2 tie-rod end nuts.
^ Tighten to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).
13. Install the lower radiator air deflector.

14. WARNING: A new bolt must be installed. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

Connect the upper steering column shaft to the lower steering column shaft and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).





15. Fill the power steering system.
16. Check and, if necessary, align the front end. For additional information, refer to Suspension System - General Information.