Steering Gearbox Installation

Steering Gearbox Installation

Special Tools Required

- Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016
- Subframe Alignment Pin 070AG-SJAA10S
*: Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program, 888-424-6857.

1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the steering gearbox and the front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and the bolt holes.

2. Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft (A).





3. Install the return joint (B) if removed.

4. Install the pinion shaft grommet (A). Align the slot (B) in the pinion shaft grommet with the lug portion (C) on the valve housing. Make sure there is no gap between the grommet and the valve housing.






5. Turn the lip (A) of the pinion shaft grommet.





6. Slide the steering gearbox (B) between the front subframe and the body from the driver's side.

7. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft clears the fenderwell opening on the body.





8. Continue moving the steering gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position.

9. Install the washers (A), the stiffener plates (B), the new mounting bolts (C), and the flange bolts (D) on the driver's side of the gearbox. Then loosely tighten the mounting bolts and the flange bolts.






10. Position the cutout (A) of the mounting cushion (B) as shown, and install it on the passenger's side of the steering gearbox.





11. Install the gearbox mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion, and tighten the flange bolts (D) to the specified torque.

12. Tighten the mounting bolts and the flange bolts on the driver's side of the steering gearbox to the specified torque alternately in two steps.

13. Loosely tighten the new right rear subframe mounting bolt (A) and the new stiffener mounting bolt (B); insert the subframe alignment pin (C) through the positioning slot (D) on the rear stiffener, through the positioning hole (E) on the front subframe, and into the positioning hole (F) on the body, then tighten the right rear subframe mounting bolt.





14. Loosely tighten the new left rear subframe mounting bolt and the new stiffener mounting bolt with the same procedure as the right rear using the subframe alignment pin.

15. Loosely tighten the new subframe mounting bolt (A) and the stiffener mounting bolt (B) to both front stiffeners (C).






16. Using the subframe alignment pin, tighten the right rear subframe mounting bolt (A) to the specified torque.





17. Using the subframe alignment pin, tighten the left rear subframe mounting bolt (B) to the specified torque.

18. Tighten the front side subframe mounting bolts (C) to the specified torque.

NOTE: Check all of the subframe mounting bolts, and retighten if necessary.

19. Tighten the stiffener mounting bolts (D) to the specified torque.

NOTE: Before tightening the stiffener mounting bolts, check that the positioning holes and slot are aligned using the subframe alignment pin.

20. Install the flange nuts (A) to the lower transmission mount, and tighten them to the specified torque.






21. Install the front subframe middle mount (A) with new mounting bolts on both sides, and tighten them to the specified torque.






22. Lower the transmission jack supporting the subframe.

23. Install the new damper fork mounting bolt (A) and the new mounting nut (B), and loosely tighten the nut.






24. Tighten the castle nut (A) to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.

NOTE: Insert the new cotter pin (B) into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting the ball joint.





25. Install exhaust pipe A:

- 2WD Service and Repair
- 4WD Service and Repair

26. 4WD: Install the propeller shaft .

27. Connect the front active control engine mount actuator connector (A).





28. Install the engine undercover Engine Undercover Replacement.

29. Lower the vehicle.

30. On both sides, wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Connect the tie-rod end ball joint (A) to the knuckle. Install the nut (B), and tighten it to the specified torque.





31. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown.

32. Loosely connect the return line and inlet line to the valve housing by hand.

33. Install the return line clamp bolt (A), and tighten it to the specified torque.





34. Install the return line (B) to the return hose clamp (C), and clamp it.

35. Install the inlet line clamp bracket bolt (A), and tighten it to the specified torque.





36. Install the return hose (B) to the return hose clamps (C), and clamp it.

37. Connect the inlet line (A), and install the inlet line clamp bolt (B).





38. Connect the return hose (C), and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (D), then install the return line clamp bolt (E).

39. Install the rear engine mount upper bracket (A) to the base bracket with new mounting bolts, and tighten them to the specified torque.






40. Install the rear engine mount (A) with new mounting bolts, and lightly tighten them.






41. Install the rear engine mount stop (A) with the new mounting nuts, and tighten them to the specified torque.






42. Install the rear engine mount actuator harness clip (A) to the stiffener plate (B) on the driver's side of the steering gearbox.






43. Connect the rear engine mount actuator connector (A).






44. Tighten the new front engine mount bolt (A), then install the front engine mount stop (B).






45. Remove the engine support hanger, the engine hanger balance bar, and the hanger adapter set.

46. Install the harness clamp bracket (A) to the rear cylinder head.






47. Install the connector bracket (A) to the front cylinder head.






48. Tighten the rear engine mount mounting bolts to the specified torque.

49. Install the power steering heat shield (A) with the flange bolts, and tighten them to the specified torque.






50. Install the pump outlet hose bracket bolt (A).





51. Install the strut brace Frame Brace Replacement.

52. Install the front grille cover Front Grille Cover Replacement.

53. Install the engine cover.

54. Place a floor jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight. Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.

55. Tighten the damper fork mounting nut while holding the mounting bolt to the specified torque (see step 23).

56. Install the front wheels, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.

NOTE: Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

57. Center the steering rack within its stroke.

58. Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).






59. Loosen the steering joint upper bolt (A), and slip the lower end of the steering joint (B) onto the pinion shaft (C) taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle.

NOTE: Pick up the tabs (E) of the pinion shaft grommet, and turn up the lip of the pinion shaft grommet securely in place. Make sure that light does not enter from the space between the pinion shaft grommet and the body.






60. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the steering joint lower bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.





61. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the steering joint lower bolt to the specified torque.

62. Tighten the steering joint upper bolt (D) to the specified torque.

63. Install the steering joint cover (A).





64. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure Procedures, and check these items:

- Make sure the horn and turn signal switches work properly.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.

65. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system Testing and Inspection.

66. Reinstall the driver's side hood support strut bracket (A) with the bolts to proper locations.





67. Reattach the passenger's side hood support strut on the pivot bolt Service and Repair.

68. After installation, check these items:

- Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Leakage Inspection.
- Check the steering wheel spoke angle.
- If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft serrations.
- Set the steering column to the center tilt position, and to the center telescopic position, then do the front toe inspection Service and Repair.