Steering Gearbox Removal
Steering Gearbox Removal
Special Tools Required
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
Note these items during removal:
- Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, its lines, and the end of the steering gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
- Be sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.
- The illustrations show a 2WD model.
1. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure Procedures.
2. Drain the power steering fluid Service and Repair.
3. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.
4. Remove the front wheels.
5. Remove the steering wheel Steering Wheel Removal.
6. Remove the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal/Installation.
7. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
8. Release the tilt/telescopic lock lever, and adjust the steering column to the full tilt up position, and to the full telescopic in position.
9. Tighten the tilt/telescopic lock lever.
10. Hold the steering column lower slide shaft (A) together with a piece wire (B) between the upper yoke (C) and the lower yoke (D).
11. Release the tilt/telescopic lock lever, and adjust the steering column to the full telescopic out position, then tighten the tilt/telescopic lock lever.
NOTE: Do not release the tilt/telescopic lock lever when removing the steering column from the frame.
12. Remove the steering joint bolt (A). Disconnect the steering joint (B) by sliding the steering joint into the column. Do not disconnect the steering joint from the column shaft (C).
NOTE:
- If the center guide (D) is in place and has not moved, leave it in place.
- If the center guide has come off, discard it.
13. Remove the center guide (A) (if equipped) from the top of the pinion shaft (B), and discard it. The center guide is for factory assembly only.
14. Apply vinyl tape to the splines on the pinion shaft.
15. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the 12 mm nut (B), and loosen the nut.
16. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.
17. Remove the air cleaner housing: '07-09 models, '10 model Service and Repair.
18. For '10 model: Remove the under-floor TWC Under-Floor TWC Removal/Installation.
19. Remove the P/S heat shield (A).
20. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (A), and disconnect the return hose (B).
21. Remove the inlet line clamp bolt (C) and return hose clamp bolt (D).
22. Loosen the 18 mm flare nut (E), and disconnect the inlet line (F).
23. Remove the return hose clamp bolt (A), and open the return hose clamp (B).
24. Remove the pump outlet hose clamp bolt (A), then open the return line clamps (B).
25. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts (A) and washers (B) from the driver's side of the steering gearbox.
26. Remove the 8 mm flange bolts (C), then remove the stabilizer bar bushing holder (D).
27. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts (A) and washers (B) from the passenger's side of the steering gearbox.
28. Remove the 8 mm flange bolts (C), then remove the stabilizer bar bushing holder (D).
29. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts (A) from both of the gearbox brackets (B), then remove the brackets.
30. Move the steering gearbox toward the front, and remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the top of the valve housing.
31. Move the steering gearbox to the driver's side, and rotate it so the pinion shaft (A) points toward the rear of the vehicle.
32. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) as an assembly toward the driver's side of the vehicle until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening.
33. Remove the steering gearbox through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.
34. After removing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid gets on the gearbox mount cushions, gearbox housing, and the surface of the front subframe. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once.