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 steering gearbox and front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and bolt holes.

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

Without ECPS





With ECPS





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

4. Without ECPS: Install the pinion shaft grommet (C) on the top of the valve housing.

5. With ECPS: Install the pinion shaft grommet (D). Align the square holes (E) in the pinion shaft grommet with the lug portions (F) on the top of the valve housing. The grommet must not have a gap at the mating surface of the grommet and valve housing.

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






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





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

9. Raise the front subframe up to the body. Loosely install the new subframe mounting bolts (A) and the front stiffener mounting bolts (B), and the new rear stiffener mounting bolts (C).





10. Align the front subframe with the subframe alignment pin.

11. Tighten the lower transmission mount mounting bolts (A) and the ground cable bolt (B).






12. Lower the transmission jack supporting the subframe.

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





14. Install the gearbox mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion, and loosely install the mounting bolts.

15. Install the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) on the driver's side of the front subframe, and tighten the bolts and nut to the specified torque.






16. Loosely install the new steering gearbox mounting bolts (A) on the driver's side of the steering gearbox.





17. Tighten the steering gearbox mounting bolts on both sides to the specified torque alternately in two or more steps.

18. Install the rear engine mount base bracket (A) with new mounting bolts (B) and the mounting bolts (C).






19. Install the rear engine mount (A) with new mounting bolts (B), and tighten to the specified torque.





20. Install the rear mount stop (C) and the heat shield (D) with new mounting nuts (E), and tighten to the specified torque.

21. Install the inlet line clamp bolts (A), and tighten to the specified torque.





22. Install exhaust pipe A Service and Repair.

23. Install the propeller shaft onto the transfer shaft flange.

24. Install the front subframe stiffener plate (A) with new mounting bolts (B), and tighten to the specified torque.





25. Install the engine undercover Engine Undercover Replacement and the front splash shield Front Splash Shield Replacement.

26. Install the new front engine mount mounting bolts (A), then connect the front engine mount control solenoid valve tube (B).





27. Lower the vehicle.

28. Install the new front engine mount mounting bolt (A), and install the front engine mount stop (B) and the vacuum hose bracket (C) with new mounting nuts (D).





29. Remove the engine support hanger, the engine hanger balance bar, and engine hanger adapter set, then install service caps to the cowl cover.

30. Install the engine mount control solenoid valve bracket (A) to the rear cylinder head.






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






32. Connect the stabilizer link (A) to the stabilizer bar on both sides Front Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation.






33. On both sides, 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.





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

35. Connect the return hose (A) securely, and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (B) Hydraulic Power Steering Hose, Line, And Pressure Switch Replacement.





36. Connect the inlet line (C), and tighten the 16 mm flare nut (D) to the specified torque.

37. With active damper system: Install the suspension stroke sensor harness clips (A) on both sides.






38. With ECPS: Connect the ECPS valve motor connector (A).





39. Remove the hood prop bar (07AAZ-SZNA100), then reattach the hood support strut on the pivot bolt.

40. Install the passenger's side front fender trim .

41. 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.

42. Center the steering rack within its stroke.

43. Remove the vinyl tape around the splines on the pinion shaft.

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






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






46. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (C).





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

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

49. Install the steering joint cover (A).





50. Set the carpet (B) in place.

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

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

52. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system.

53. Install the engine cover.

54. Install the front bulkhead cover Front Bulkhead Cover Replacement.

55. Remove the hood prop bar (07AAZ-SZNA100), then reattach the hood support strut on the pivot bolt.

56. Install the passenger's side front fender trim .

57. 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.
- Do the VSA sensor neutral position memorization Programming and Relearning.