97-98 Malibu, 97-98 Cutlass
Lower Pinion Bearing Inspection -- 1997-1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 1997-1998 Oldsmobile CutlassBecause of limited access in this vehicle, the pinion bearing can only be inspected after the steering gear has been completely removed from the vehicle. For additional information on steering gear removal, refer to the Steering section in the appropriate Service Manual or SI.
Tools Required
^ J 44714-B Pinion Bearing Remover
^ J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
1. Open the hood.
2. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support.
3. Remove both front tire and wheel assemblies.
4. Remove the nuts securing the outer tie rod ends to the steering knuckles.
5. Using the J 24319-B, Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller, or equivalent, separate the outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.
6. Remove the one bolts and two nuts attaching the rear transmission mount to the engine cradle.
7. Support the rear of the engine cradle.
8. Remove the six bolts that attach the rear of the engine cradle to the body.
9. Partially lower the rear of the engine cradle.
10. Remove the bolt and separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
11. Remove the stabilizer link bolts from both lower control arms.
12. Lower the rear of the engine cradle as necessary to access the steering gear attaching bolts.
13. Remove the two bolts attaching the steering gear to the engine cradle.
14. Loosen and disconnect both power steering fluid lines from the steering gear.
15. Remove the steering gear from the engine cradle mounting brackets.
16. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.
Important
When removing the dust cap in the next step, watch for loose ball bearings that may have separated from the inner and outer pinion bearing races.
17. Remove the dust cap (3) from the steering gear housing (2) and inspect for loose ball bearings. Refer to Figure 1.
^ If no ball bearings were found in the dust cap, proceed to the next step and replace the lower pinion bearing.
^ If one or more ball bearings were found loose in the dust cap, proceed to the section in this bulletin titled, "Steering Gear Replacement", for the described vehicle.
Notice
Failure to perform the next step may result in damage to the lower pinion bearing removal tool J 44714-1.
18. Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (3) and the adjuster plug (2). Refer to Figure 2. Do not remove the plug.
Notice
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
19. While holding the stub shaft (1), remove the retaining nut (4) from the pinion shaft. Refer to Figure 1. Do not reuse the nut.
20. Remove the lower retaining snap ring (1). Refer to Figure 3.
Important
The bearing retainer being removed in the next step is a small piece of wire that keeps all of the bearings evenly spaced inside the bearing races.
21. Using a small "pick" like tool, remove the bearing retainer from the bearing. Refer to Figure 4.
22. After removing the bearing retainer, reposition the ball bearings into two groups of four. Refer to Figure 5.
23. Separate the 2-legged puller from the center nut on the J 44714-B and insert the puller legs into the openings between the two groups of ball bearings.
24. With the forcing screw backed off, screw the center nut into the puller.
Tighten
Tighten the nut until it bottoms against the puller. Refer to Figure 6.
25. While holding the center nut with a wrench, tighten the forcing screw to remove the bearing from the housing. Refer to Figure 7.
Important
Inspect the gear housing to ensure that all pieces of the old bearing have been removed.
26. Apply a small quantity of lubrication (e.g., multi-purpose grease or power steering fluid) inside of the housing bore where the new bearing will be installed.
27. Center the new bearing over the pinion thread. The bearing can be installed with either side facing outwards.
28. Place the bearing installer (1), J 44714-2 (included in J 44714-B) over the pinion thread. Refer to Figure 8. Lightly tap the bearing installer with a hammer until the bearing is seated in the housing.
29. Install a new snap ring. When properly installed, the large lug (1) on the snap ring must be on the right side as shown in Figure 9.
Notice
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
30. While holding the stub shaft (1) install a new retaining nut (3) on the pinion shaft. Refer to Figure 10.
Tighten
Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb ft).
31. With the rack centered in the housing, tighten the adjuster plug (2) to 10 Nm (88 lb in), and then back off 40 to 50 degrees. Refer to Figure 11. Check the torque on the pinion. Maximum pinion preload torque is 4 Nm (35 lb in).
32. Tighten the adjuster plug lock nut (3) firmly against the steering gear housing while holding the adjuster plug (2) stationary.
33. Install a new dust cap (2) to the steering gear housing.
34. Install the steering gear in the engine cradle mounting brackets.
35. Install the two bolts attaching the steering gear to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 120 Nm (88 lb ft).
36. Connect the power steering fluid lines to the steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).
37. Partially raise the rear of the engine cradle.
38. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
Tighten
Tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).
39. Install the stabilizer link bolts in both lower control arms.
Tighten
Tighten to 17 Nm (13 lb ft).
40. Raise the rear of the engine cradle and install the six bolts. Refer to Figure 12.
Tighten
^ Tighten the rear suspension crossmember bolts (1) to 110 Nm (81 lb ft).
^ Tighten the suspension crossmember to body bolts (2) to 82 Nm (60 lb ft).
41. Install the one bolt and two nuts that attach the rear transmission mount to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 66 Nm (49 lb ft).
42. Install both outer tie rod ends to the knuckles.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 45 Nm (33 lb ft).
43. Install both front tire and wheel assemblies.
Tighten
Tighten to 140 Nm (103 lb ft).
44. Lower the vehicle.
45. Check the power steering fluid level and add if necessary.
46. Check the alignment and set toe-in as necessary.
47. Close the hood.
Steering Gear Replacement, If Required -- 1997-1998 Chevrolet Malibu, 1997-1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
For additional information on steering gear removal, refer to the Steering section in the appropriate Service Manual or SI.
Important
Steering gears currently available from GMSPO are verified good stock and do not require bearing inspection or replacement.
The following service procedure is based on the steering gear having been removed from the vehicle during the inspection procedure.
1. Remove the tie rod ends from the original steering gear.
2. Measure the position of the adjuster nuts on the old steering gear and adjust the new nuts on the new steering gear to the same measurement.
3. Install the tie rod ends on the new steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten the adjuster nuts to 68 Nm (50 lb ft).
4. Install the new steering gear in the engine cradle mounting brackets.
5. Install the two bolts attaching the steering gear to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 120 Nm (88 lb ft).
6. Connect the power steering fluid lines to the steering gear.
Tighten
Tighten to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).
7. Partially raise the rear of the engine cradle.
8. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
Tighten
Tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).
9. Install the stabilizer link bolts in both lower control arms.
Tighten
Tighten to 17 Nm (13 lb ft).
10. Raise the rear of the engine cradle and install the six bolts. Refer to Figure 12.
Tighten
^ Tighten the rear suspension crossmember bolts (1) to 110 Nm (81 lb ft).
^ Tighten the suspension crossmember to body bolts (2) to 82 Nm (60 lb ft).
11. Install the one bolt and two nuts that attach the rear transmission mount to the engine cradle.
Tighten
Tighten to 66 Nm (49 lb ft).
12. Install both outer tie rod ends to the knuckles.
Tighten
Tighten to 45 Nm (33 lb ft).
13. Install both front tire and wheel assemblies.
Tighten
Tighten to 140 Nm (103 lb ft).
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Add power steering fluid and bleed the system.
16. Check the alignment and set toe-in as necessary.
17. Close the hood.