Steering Gear Replacement

Steering Gear Replacement (L61 and LE5)

Tools Required

J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller


Removal Procedure

1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position and lock it in place.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .




3. Remove both rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts and discard them.





Important: Do not attempt to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends using a wedge type tool.


4. Use puller J 24319-B to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.




5. Remove the intermediate steering shaft bolt at the steering gear and discard it.
6. Separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
7. Remove the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement (Transmission Rear Mount Replacement) for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement (Transmission Rear Mount Replacement) for the automatic transaxle.




8. Remove the steering gear bolts.
9. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.



Installation Procedure

1. Position the steering gear to the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice) .

2. Install the steering gear bolts.

Tighten the bolts to 110 N.m (81 lb ft).

3. Install the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement (Transmission Rear Mount Replacement) for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement (Transmission Rear Mount Replacement) for the automatic transaxle.




4. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear.
5. Install a new intermediate steering shaft bolt.

Tighten the bolt to 34 N.m (25 lb ft).





6. Install the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends to the steering knuckles.
7. Install new rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts.

Tighten the bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft) plus 90 degrees.

8. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
9. Adjust the front toe. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment (Service and Repair) .