Steering Gearbox Removal

Steering Gearbox Removal
Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SLOA102

Note these items during removal:
^ Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, its lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
^ Make sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.

1. Remove the right and left front fender trim (A).





2. Drain the power steering fluid.
3. Remove the relay box (A), the release the wire harness clips.





4. Remove the front strut brace.
5. Raise the front of vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
6. Remove the steering wheel.
7. Remove the steering joint cover A.





8. Remove the steering joint bolts (A), then disconnect the steering joint (B) from the pinion shaft and the steering column shaft.





9. Remove the center guide (A).





10. Remove steering joint cover B. Be careful not to damage the mating surface on joint cover B and the pinion shaft grommet. Replace the cover seal (C) if necessary.
11. Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the top of the valve body unit.





12. Apply vinyl tape (B) to the splines on the pinion shaft.
13. Remove and discard the cotter pin (A) from the tie rod ball joint nut (B), and loosen the nut.





14. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the ball joint remover.
15. Remove the nuts (A) from the rear engine mount.





16. Remove the rear engine mount (A) and the engine mount pressure hose holder mounting bolt (B) on the gearbox stiffener.





17. Disconnect the engine mount pressure hose (C) from the rear engine mount.
18. Remove the feed line holder mounting bolt (A) and A/T wire line holder mounting bolt (B) on the gearbox stiffener.





19. Disconnect the return hose from the clamp (C).
20. Remove the feed line holder mounting bolt (A) and return line holder mounting bolt (B) on the gearbox.





21. Disconnect the stepping valve motor connector (A).





22. Place several shop towels under the line connections, and cover the gearbox mounting part to protect it from the power steering fluid. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (A), and disconnect the return hose (B).





23. Loosen the 14 mm flare nut (C), and disconnect the feed line (D).
24. Remove the return line joint (A) from the steering gearbox.





25. Remove the P/S heat baffle plate (A).





26. Remove the gearbox stiffener (A).





27. Remove the dynamic damper between the gearbox stiffener and front suspension subframe.
28. Remove the steering gearbox mounting bolt (A) and washer (B) on the right gearbox mount.





29. Remove the steering gearbox mounting bolt (A) and washer (B) on the left gearbox mount.





30. Remove the 4-way brake line joint bolts (A).





31. Move the steering gearbox to the passenger's side, and rotate it so the pinion shaft points toward the front of the vehicle.





32. Carefully move the steering gearbox as an assembly toward the left side of the vehicle until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening. Be careful not to damage the brake lines with the pinion shaft.





33. Lift the passenger's side, and remove the steering gearbox through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.





34. After removing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid gets on the gearbox mount cushions, gearbox housing, surface of the front suspension subframe, and stiffener. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once.