Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Steering Gear Replacement

Special Tools
* J-24319-B - Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller
* J-42640 - Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

Removal Procedure





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.

1. Install the J-42640 - pin in order to lock the steering column in the straight ahead position.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
3. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
4. If necessary in order to access the steering gear, remove the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement (Front Air Deflector Replacement).
5. Remove the left side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement (Engine Splash Shield Replacement).





Warning

Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion steering gear stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could result in an accident and possible personal injury.

6. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
7. Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the power steering gear.




8. Disconnect the variable effort steering harness connector.




9. Remove the outer tie rod retaining nuts.




10. Using the J-24319-B - puller , disconnect the outer tie rod from the steering knuckles.
11. Place drain pans under the vehicle.




12. Remove the power steering hoses to power steering gear retaining bolt.




13. Disconnect the power steering hoses (1, 3) from the power steering gear.
14. If equipped with AWD, perform the following steps:

1. Use a suitable jack in order to support the bottom of the front differential housing.




2. Loosen the right engine mount nut.
3. Raise the differential housing in order to clear the steering rack bolt.




15. Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts.
16. Remove the power steering gear through the left wheel opening.

Installation Procedure

1. Position the power steering gear in the vehicle through the left wheel opening.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

2. Install the power steering gear retaining bolts and tighten to 180 Nm (133 lb ft).
3. If equipped with AWD, perform the following steps:

1. Lower the differential housing.




2. Install the right lower engine mount to frame nut and tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb ft).
3. Remove the support from the bottom of the differential housing.




4. Connect the power steering hoses (1, 3) to the power steering gear.




5. Install the power steering hoses to power steering gear retaining bolt and tighten to 23 Nm(17 lb ft).




6. Connect the outer tie rods to the steering knuckles.
7. Install the outer tie rod nuts and tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb ft)




8. Connect the variable effort steering harness connector.




9. Connect the intermediate shaft to the power steering gear.
10. Install the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
11. Install the left side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement (Engine Splash Shield Replacement).
12. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
13. If you removed the front air deflector, install the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement (Front Air Deflector Replacement).
14. Lower the vehicle.




15. Remove the J-42640 - pin from the steering column.
16. Fill and bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding (Service and Repair).
17. Remove the drain pans from under the vehicle.
18. 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).