Steering Gear Replacement
Steering Gear Replacement
Special Tools
EN-45059 - Angle Meter
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools Tools and Equipment.
Removal Procedure
1. Disconnect the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
Caution:
With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
* The steering column
* The intermediate shaft(s)
* The steering gear
After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has became un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.
2. Turn the front wheels to the straight forward position and secure the steering wheel from moving.
3. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Standard) Service and Repair.
5. Remove the steering gear heat shield. Refer to Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement.
6. Perform the following steps in order to gain access to the steering gear.
1. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies.
2. Remove the catalytic converter.
3. Remove the front compartment insulator.
4. Disconnect the 2 steering linkage outer tie rods from the 2 steering knuckles.
5. Disconnect the 2 stabilizer shaft links.
6. Remove the transmission mount bracket bolts.
7. Support the drivetrain and front suspension frame.
8. Remove the rear frame bolts.
9. Remove the frame reinforcement bolts and the frame reinforcements.
10. Lower the drivetrain and front suspension frame 55 mm (2 in).
Caution:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:
* Touch a metal ground point in order to remove your body's static charge before servicing any electronic component; especially after sliding across the vehicle seat.
* Do not touch exposed terminals. Terminals may connect to circuits susceptible the ESD damage.
* Do not allow tools to contact exposed terminals when servicing connectors.
* Do not remove components from their protective packaging until required to do so.
* Avoid the following actions unless required by the diagnostic procedure:
- Jumpering or grounding of the components or connectors.
- Connecting test equipment probes to components or connectors. Connect the ground lead first when using test probes.
* Ground the protective packaging of any component before opening. Do not rest solid-state components on metal workbenches, or on top of TVs, radios, or other electrical devices.
Note: Connector latches are difficult to access.
7. Disconnect the electrical connectors. Refer to FEP Connectors (Steering Gear) FEP Connectors (Steering Gear).
8. Use a suitable tool in order to carefully disconnect the 2 wiring harness plugs (3) from the steering gear.
9. Remove the 2 wiring harness bracket bolts (4).
10. Remove the bracket (2).
11. Disconnect the wiring harness retainer (1) from the steering gear.
12. Remove and DISCARD the 2 right stabilizer shaft insulator clamp bolts (2).
13. Reposition the stabilizer shaft (1) in order to gain clearance for the steering gear.
14. Remove and DISCARD the 2 steering gear bolts (4) and the nuts (1, 3) from front suspension frame.
15. Carefully remove the steering gear (2) through the right front wheel house.
Installation Procedure
Caution:
Ensure that the steering column dash seal is installed properly onto steering gear rack pinion housing. The sealing lip MUST rest on lower steering column cover surface evenly. To ease installation of the seal, apply liquid soap to the sealing lip. After installation, verify that the seal lip does not protrude into the vehicle's interior. Improper installation could result in poor sealing performance and water intrusion into the vehicle.
Note: Ensure the wiring routing is correct.
1. Carefully install the steering gear (2) through the right front wheel house and position the steering gear on the frame.
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.
2. Tighten the 2 NEW steering gear bolts (4) and the 2 NEW nuts (1, 3) a first pass to 110 Nm (81 lb ft).
Caution: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution.
3. Tighten the steering gear bolts and nuts a final pass to an additional 150 - 160 degrees, using the EN-45059 - meter.
4. Install the wiring harness bracket (2).
5. Install the 2 wiring harness bracket bolts (4) and tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb in).
6. Connect the wiring harness retainer (1) to steering gear.
7. Connect the 2 wiring harness plugs (3) to the steering gear.
Note: Connector latches are difficult to access.
8. Connect the electrical connectors. Refer to FEP Connectors (Steering Gear) FEP Connectors (Steering Gear).
9. Position the stabilizer shaft (1) and the bracket onto the suspension frame.
10. Tighten the NEW right stabilizer shaft insulator clamp bolts (2) a first pass to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).
Caution: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution.
11. Tighten the steering gear bolts and nuts a final pass to an additional 30°, using the EN-45059 - meter.
12. Perform the following steps.
1. Position the drivetrain and front suspension frame in the vehicle.
2. Tighten the rear frame bolts 160 Nm (118 lb ft).
3. Install the frame reinforcements and tighten 2 NEW frame reinforcement bolts a first pass to 60 Nm (45 lb ft).
Caution: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution Torque-to-Yield Fastener Caution.
4. Tighten the frame reinforcement bolts a final pass to an additional 45 degrees using the EN-45059 - meter.
5. Tighten the transmission mount bracket bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
6. Connect the 2 stabilizer shaft links.
7. Tighten 2 NEW stabilizer shaft link bolts to 65 Nm (48 lb ft).
8. Connect the 2 steering linkage outer tie rods to the 2 steering knuckles.
9. Tighten 2 NEW steering linkage outer tie rod nuts to 35 Nm (26 lb ft).
10. Install the front compartment insulator.
11. Install the catalytic converter.
12. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies.
13. Install the steering gear heat shield. Refer to Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement.
14. Lower the vehicle.
15. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.
16. Connect the battery. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
17. Measure and adjust the front toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment.
18. Program the power steering control module. Refer to Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup (Electronic Power Steering) Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup (Electronic Power Steering).
19. Center the steering angle sensor and learn the software end stops. Refer to Power Steering Control Module Calibration Power Steering Control Module Calibration.