Steering Gearbox Installation

Steering Gearbox Installation

Special Tools Required

- Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016
- Subframe Alignment Pin 070AG-SJAA10S
*: Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program, 888-424-6857.

1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the steering gearbox and the front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and the bolt holes.

2. Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft (A).





3. Install the pinion shaft grommet (B). Align the slot (C) in the pinion shaft grommet with the lug portion (D) on the valve housing. Make sure there is no gap between the grommet and the valve housing.

4. Turn the lip (A) of the pinion shaft grommet.





5. Slide the steering gearbox (B) between the front subframe and the body from the driver's side.

6. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft clears the fenderwell opening on the body.





7. Continue moving the steering gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position.

8. Install the washers (A), the stiffener plates (B), the new mounting bolts (C), and the flange bolts (D) on the driver's side of the gearbox. Then loosely install the mounting bolts and the flange bolts.






9. Position the cutout (A) of the mounting cushion (B) as shown, and install it on the passenger's side of the steering gearbox.





10. Install the gearbox mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion, and tighten the flange bolts (D) to the specified torque.

11. Tighten the mounting bolts and the flange bolts on the driver's side of the steering gearbox to the specified torque alternately in two steps.

12. Raise the front subframe up to the body. Loosely install the new subframe mounting bolts (A) and the front stiffener mounting bolts (B), and the new rear stiffener mounting bolts (C).





13. Align the front subframe with the subframe alignment pin Service and Repair.

14. Install the flange nuts (A) to the lower transmission mount, and tighten them to the specified torque.






15. Install the front subframe middle mount (A) with new mounting bolts on both sides, and tighten them to the specified torque.





16. Lower the transmission jack supporting the subframe.

17. Install the rear engine mount upper bracket (A) to the base bracket (B) with a new mounting bolt (C) and mounting bolts (D), and tighten them to the specified torque.






18. Install the rear engine mount (A) with new mounting bolts, and lightly tighten them.





19. Remove the engine support hanger and the engine hanger adapter set.

20. Tighten the rear engine mount mounting bolts to the specified torque.

21. Install the new damper fork mounting bolt (A) and the new mounting nut (B), and loosely tighten the nut.





22. Install exhaust pipe A Service and Repair.

23. Install the engine undercover Engine Undercover Replacement.

24. Lower the vehicle.

25. On both sides, wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Connect the tie-rod end ball joint (A) to the knuckle. Install the nut (B), and tighten it to the specified torque.





26. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown.

27. Loosely connect the return line and inlet line to the valve housing by hand.

28. Install the return line clamp bolt (A), and tighten it to the specified torque.





29. Install the return line (B) to the return hose clamp (C), and clamp it.

30. Install the inlet line clamp bracket bolt (A) and the return hose clamp bracket bolt (B), and tighten them to the specified torque.





31. Install the return hose (C) to the return hose clamp (D), and clamp it.

32. Install the inlet line clamp bracket bolt (A) and the return line clamp bolt (B), and tighten them to the specified torque.





33. Tighten the inlet line flare nut (C) and the return line flare nut (D) to the specified torque.

34. Install the power steering heat shield (A) with the flange bolts, and tighten them to the specified torque.





35. Install the strut brace Frame Brace Replacement.

36. Install the front grille cover.

37. Place a floor jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight. Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.

38. Tighten the damper fork mounting nut while holding the mounting bold to the specified torque (see step 21).

39. Install the front wheels, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.

NOTE: Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

40. Center the steering rack within its stroke.

41. Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).





42. Remove the vinyl tape around the splines on the pinion shaft.

43. Loosen the steering joint upper bolt (A), and slip the lower end of the steering joint (B) onto the pinion shaft (C) taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle.

NOTE: Pick up the tabs (E) of the pinion shaft grommet, and turn up the lip of the pinion shaft grommet securely in place. Make sure that light does not enter from the space between the pinion shaft grommet and the body.






44. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the steering joint lower bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.





45. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the steering joint lower bolt to the specified torque.

46. Tighten the steering joint upper bolt (D) to the specified torque.

47. Install the steering joint cover (A).






48. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure Procedures, and check these items:

- Make sure the horn and turn signal switches work properly.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.

49. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system Testing and Inspection.

50. Reinstall the driver's side hood support strut bracket (A) with the bolts to proper locations.





51. Reattach the passenger's side hood support strut on the pivot bolt Service and Repair.

52. After installation, check these items:

- Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Leakage Inspection.
- Check the steering wheel spoke angle.
- If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft serrations.
- Set the steering column to the center tilt position, and to the center telescopic position, then do the front toe inspection Service and Repair.