Steering Gear: Service and Repair
Steering Gear - Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
NOTE: The 3.0L shown, 3.5L similar.
Removal
NOTICE: When repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of foreign material or failure of the power steering components may result.
All engines
1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
- Remove the key.
2. Remove the wheels and tires.
3. Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover nuts and the cover.
4. NOTICE: Make sure to correctly index-mark the steering gear-to-steering column shaft position or unequal right-to-left turns may occur, causing tire contact with the body and/or clockspring damage.
Index-mark the steering column shaft-to-steering gear position for reference during installation.
5. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
- Discard the bolt.
6. NOTICE: Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal may occur.
Remove the steering gear/dash seal.
7. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Remove 4 screws from each side and position the RH and LH fender splash shield aside.
8. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) from the LH and RH splash shield.
9. If equipped, remove the bolts and the underbody splash shield.
10. Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
- Discard the cotter pins.
11. NOTICE: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.
Using the Tie-Rod End Remover, separate the outer tie-rod ends from the knuckle.
12. NOTE: Always install new fasteners and gaskets. Clean flange faces prior to new gasket installation to make sure of proper sealing.
Remove and discard the 2 catalytic converter-to-exhaust flexible pipe nuts and separate the exhaust flexible pipe.
13. Remove the 2 bolts and the steering gear heat shield.
2.3L engine
14. Remove the pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
3.0L and 3.5L engines
15. Remove the pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
All engines
16. Remove the pressure line-to-steering gear banjo bolt.
- Discard the bolt and 2 seals.
17. Support the rear of the subframe with a suitable jack and remove the 4 rear subframe bolts and 2 rear subframe nuts.
18. Lower the rear of the front subframe 76.2 mm (3 in) with the support of the jack.
19. Release the clamp and disconnect the steering gear-to-fluid cooler return hose.
20. Remove the 3 steering gear bolts.
21. Remove the steering gear from the LH side of the vehicle.
Installation
All engines
NOTICE: While repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of foreign material or failure of the power steering components may result.
1. From the LH side of the vehicle, install the steering gear.
2. Install the 3 steering gear bolts.
- Tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
3. Release the clamp and connect the steering gear-to-fluid cooler return hose.
4. Using a suitable jack, raise the rear of the front subframe.
5. Install the 4 rear subframe bolts and 2 rear subframe nuts.
- To install, tighten the bolts and nuts in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the nuts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten the bolts to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).
6. NOTICE: New banjo bolts and new seals must be installed any time the power steering pressure line is disconnected from the power steering pump and/or the steering gear or a fluid leak may occur.
Install the new pressure line-to-steering gear banjo bolt.
- Install 2 new seals.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
3.0L and 3.5L engines
7. Install the pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
2.3L engines
8. Install the pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
- Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
All engines
9. Install the steering gear heat shield and the 2 bolts.
- To install, tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
10. NOTE: Always install new fasteners and gaskets. Clean flange faces prior to new gasket installation to make sure of proper sealing.
Position the exhaust flexible pipe and install 2 new catalytic converter-to-exhaust flexible pipe nuts.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
11. Install the 2 outer tie-rod end nuts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
- Install 2 new cotter pins.
12. If equipped, install the underbody splash shield and bolts.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
13. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Install the LH and RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown).
14. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Install the RH and LH fender splash shield and the 4 screws from each side.
15. NOTICE: The steering gear/dash seal must be fully seated in the steering gear valve tower groove before the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body. If the steering gear/dash seal is not seated to the steering gear valve tower groove and the clips are not fully engaged to the body, water and foreign material may enter the passenger compartment, and damage the vehicle interior.
Applying hand force to the center of the seal, install the steering gear/dash seal onto the steering gear valve tower until the seal is fully seated in the valve tower groove.
16. Install the steering gear/dash seal until the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body.
17. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column to rotate while the steering column shaft is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
NOTICE: Make sure to correctly align the index marks when installing the steering gear-to-steering column shaft or unequal right-to-left turns may occur, causing tire contact with the body and/or clockspring damage.
With the index marks properly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new bolt.
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
18. Install the lower steering column shaft joint cover and the 2 nuts.
19. Fill the power steering system.
20. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front toe.