Steering Gearbox Removal

Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required

- Engine Hanger Adapter VSB02C000015
- Engine Support Hanger, A and Reds AAR-T1256
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016
*: Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program, 888-424-6857.

Note these items during removal:

- Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, it's lines, and the end of the steering gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
- Lower the front subframe from the body, and remove the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.

1. Pry the passenger's side hood support strut clip, and release the passenger's side hood support strut from the pivot bolt Service and Repair.

2. Remove the driver's side hood support strut bracket (A), then use it as shown to prop the hood in the wide-open position.

NOTE:

- Turn the hood support strut bracket inside out.
- Do not attempt to close the hood with the support strut in the vertical position, as it will damage the support strut and the rod.





3. Drain the power steering fluid Testing and Inspection.

4. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure Procedures.

5. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

6. Remove the front wheels.

7. Remove the steering joint cover (A).






8. Loosen the steering joint upper bolt (A), and remove the steering joint lower bolt (B). Disconnect the steering joint (C) by sliding the steering joint into the column shaft (D). Tighten the steering joint upper bolt to hold the column shaft.

NOTE: Do not disconnect the steering joint from the column shaft.






9. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).






10. Remove the center guide (A) (if equipped) from the top of the pinion shaft (B).





11. Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft.

12. Remove the front grille cover.

13. Remove the strut brace. Frame Brace Replacement.

14. Remove the power steering heat shield (A).






15. Attach the engine hanger adapter (A) to the threaded hole in the cylinder head.






16. Install the engine support hanger (A), then attach the hook to the slotted hole in the engine hanger adapter (B). Tighten the wing nut (C) by hand to lift and support the engine/transmission.

NOTE: Be careful when working around the windshield.






17. Remove the rear engine mount (A).






18. Remove the rear engine mount upper bracket (A) from the base bracket (B).






19. Remove the inlet line clamp bolt (A) and the return line clamp bolt (B).





20. Loosen the inlet line flare nut (C) and the return line flare nut (D), then disconnect the inlet line (E) and the return line (F).

21. Remove the inlet line clamp bolt (A) and the return hose clamp bolt (B).





22. Release the return hose clamp (C), and remove the return hose (D).

23. Remove the return line clamp bolt (A).





24. Release the return line clamp (B), and remove the return line (C).

25. Remove the flange bolts from the passenger's side of the steering gearbox, then remove the gearbox mounting bracket (A) and mounting cushion (B).






26. Remove the mounting bolts (A) and the flange bolts (B) from the driver's side of the steering gearbox, and remove the stiffener plates (C) and the washers (D).






27. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then remove the nut (B) on both sides.





28. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover on both side Ball Joint Removal.

NOTE: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.

29. Raise the vehicle.

30. Remove the engine undercover Engine Undercover Replacement.

31. Remove exhaust pipe A Service and Repair.

32. Remove the damper fork mounting nut (A) while holding the mounting bolt (B), then remove the mounting bolt on both sides.






33. Attach the front subframe adapter (A) to the subframe by looping the strap (B) over the front of the subframe, then secure the strap with the stop (C), then tighten the wing nut (D).





34. Raise the jack, and line up the slots in the subframe adapter arms with the bolt holes on the jack base, then securely attach them with bolts and nuts.

35. Remove the front subframe middle mount (A) on both sides.






36. Remove the flange nuts (A) from the lower transmission mount.






37. Remove the flange bolts (A) from the front subframe front stiffeners (B).





38. Loosen the front subframe mounting bolts (C) so they are about 20 mm (0.79 in) from the mounting surface. Do not loosen the front subframe mounting bolts more than necessary.

39. Remove the rear stiffener mounting bolts (A) and subframe mounting bolts (B) from the subframe rear stiffeners (C).






40. Lower the jack slowly until the front subframe has dropped about 70 mm (2.76 in).






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






42. Remove the steering gearbox (A) through the fenderwell opening on the driver's side.






43. Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the top of the valve housing.





44. After removing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid gets on the gearbox mount cushions, the gearbox housing, the surface of the front subframe, and the stiffener. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once.