Steering Gear: Service and Repair
GEARREMOVAL
CAUTION: Steering column module is centered to the vehicles steering system. Failure to keep the system and steering column module centered and locked/inhibited from rotating can result in steering column module damage.
1. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position with the steering wheel centered and locked with a steering wheel lock.
2. Drain or siphon the power steering system.
3. Remove the column coupler shaft bolt (2) and remove the shaft from the gear (3).
4. Remove the oil drip tray (1).
5. Remove the pressure line (2) at the gear (1).
6. Remove the return line (3) at the gear (1).
7. Raise and support the vehicle.
8. Remove the front tires.
9. Loosen the tie rod end jam nuts (3).
10. Remove the outer tie rod end nut and separate the tie rod (2) from the knuckle using special tool #8677 puller (1).
11. Remove the front splash shield.
12. 4X4 Only - Remove the front axle.
13. Remove the two steering gear mounting bolts (2).
14. Move the gear (1) to the full right position to allow clearance over the control arm (2) then lower the gear down, then turn the gear to the full left position to allow clearance then remove from the vehicle.
15. Remove the outer tie rod ends from the steering gear (if needed).
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Steering column module is centered to the vehicles steering system. Failure to keep the system and steering column module centered and locked/inhibited from rotating can result in steering column module damage.
1. Install the outer tie rod ends. (if removed).
2. Position the steering gear (1) back into the vehicle the same way it was removed.
3. Install the Steering gear mounting nuts (2) Tighten to 244 Nm (180 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the front splash shield.
5. Install the outer tie rod ends jam nuts (3) (loose).
6. Install the outer tie rod ends (2) to the knuckle (5) and tighten the tie rod end nut (1) to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the pressure and return hoses (20) to the steering gear (1) and tighten to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the oil filter drip tray (1).
9. Install the column coupler shaft into the lower coupling (1) and install a new bolt (2), Tighten to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the front axle housing unit. 4x4 ONLY
11. Install the wheel and tire assembly
12. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
13. Remove the steering wheel lock.
14. Fill the power steering pump.
15. Set the toe.