Steering Gearbox Installation

Steering Gearbox Installation

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

2. Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the front subframe and the body from the driver's side. Place the gearbox in position on the front subframe.






3. Rotate the steering gearbox so the pinion shaft (A) points downward.





4. Continue moving the gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position. Make sure the power steering return line and feed line are routed above the gearbox.

5. Remove the vinyl tape from pinion shaft, and install the pinion shaft grommet (A). Align the slot in the pinion shaft grommet with the lug portion (B) on the valve housing.






6. Install the gearbox brackets (A).






7. Tighten the steering gearbox bracket mounting bolts (A) to the specified torque.






8. Loosely install the passenger's side gearbox mounting bolts (A) and washer (B).





9. Install the passenger's side stabilizer bar bushing holder (C) Front Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation.

10. Loosely install the driver's side gearbox mounting bolt (A) and washer (B).





11. Install the driver's side stabilizer bar bushing holder (C) Front Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation.

12. Install the P/S heat shield (A).






13. Install the pump outlet hose clamp (A) on the steering gearbox.





14. Connect the return hose clips (B).

15. Connect the return line holder (A), and install the return line clamp bolt (B).

NOTE: The illustrations show the model with SH-AWD; the model without SH-AWD is similar.






16. Loosely install the remaining gearbox mounting bolt (A).






17. Tighten the gearbox mounting bolts to the specified torque in the sequence shown.






18. Connect the inlet line (A), and tighten the 18 mm flare nut to the specified torque.





19. Connect the return hose (B) securely, and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (C) Service and Repair.

20. Install the inlet line clamp bolt (D).

21. Install the under-hood fuse/relay box (A) Under-Hood Fuse/Relay Box Removal/Installation.





22. Install the air cleaner housing (B) Service and Repair.

23. Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Reconnect the tie-rod end ball joint (A) to the knuckle. Install the new nut (B), and tighten it to the specified torque.





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

25. Center the steering rack within its stroke in steering joint connection.

26. With the rack in the straight ahead driving position, cut the wire (A) and slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft (B) in the range shown.






27. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the joint bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated. Tighten the steering joint bolt to the specified torque.






28. Install the steering joint cover (A).






29. Install the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal/Installation.

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

31. Install the steering wheel Steering Wheel Installation.

32. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure Procedures, and do these tasks.

- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and check that the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds and then goes off.
- Make sure the horn and turn signal switches work properly.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.

33. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system Service and Repair.

34. After installation, do the following checks:

- 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/adjustment Service and Repair.