Steering Gear: Service and Repair
Steering Gear - 2.5L Non-Hybrid and 3.0L Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
All vehicles
1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). For additional information, refer to Module Configuration [1][2]Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview.
2. NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter(R) 28-75-1 or equivalent).
Using a suitable holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.
3. Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover nuts and the cover.
4. 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 Supplemental Restraint System Service and Repair.
Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
- Discard the bolt.
5. NOTICE: Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal may occur.
Pulling upward, remove the steering gear/dash seal.
6. Remove the wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.
7. If equipped, remove the 7 screws and the underbody cover.
8. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Remove the 4 screws from each side and position the RH and LH fender splash shields aside.
9. Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) from the LH and RH splash shields.
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 Ball Joint Separator, separate the outer tie-rod ends from the knuckle.
Vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines
12. Remove the 2 bolts, 2 nuts and the exhaust bracket with U-clamp.
Vehicles equipped with 3.0L engines
13. Remove the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to Exhaust System Exhaust Flexible Pipe.
All vehicles
14. Remove the 2 bolts and the Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) connector shield.
15. Disconnect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
16. Remove the engine roll restrictor bolt.
17. Support the rear of the subframe with a suitable jack, remove the 4 rear subframe bolts and 2 rear subframe nuts and the subframe support bracket.
- Loosen the 2 front subframe nuts.
18. Using the jack, lower the rear of the front subframe 76.2 mm (3 in).
19. Remove the 3 steering gear bolts.
20. Remove the steering gear from the LH side of the vehicle.
All vehicles
21. From the LH side of the vehicle, install the steering gear.
22. Install the 3 steering gear bolts.
- Tighten to 107 Nm (79 lb-ft).
23. Using the jack, raise the rear of the front subframe.
24. Tighten the 2 front subframe nuts.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
25. Install the subframe support bracket, the 4 rear subframe bolts and the 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).
26. Install the engine roll restrictor bolt.
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).
27. Connect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.
28. Install the EPAS connector shield and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
Vehicles equipped with 3.0L engines
29. Install the exhaust flexible pipe. For additional information, refer to Exhaust System Exhaust Flexible Pipe.
Vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines
30. Install the 2 bolts, 2 nuts and the exhaust bracket with U-clamp.
- Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).
All vehicles
31. Position the outer tie-rod ends and install the 2 nuts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
- Install 2 new cotter pins.
32. Install the LH and RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers.
33. Install the RH and LH fender splash shields and the 4 screws from each side.
34. If equipped, install the underbody splash shield and bolts.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
35. 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.
36. Install the steering gear/dash seal until the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body.
37. 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 Supplemental Restraint System Service and Repair.
With the locator on the input shaft properly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new bolt.
- Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
38. Install the lower steering column shaft joint cover and the 2 nuts.
39. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). For additional information on configuration, refer to Programmable Module Installation (PMI) in Module Configuration Programmable Module Installation (PMI).