Steering Gearbox Removal/Installation
Steering Gearbox Removal and Installation
Special Tools Required
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 10 mm 07AAF-SECA120
- Universal Lifting Eyelet 07AAK-SNAA120
- 1.8 Support Bolt 07AAK-SNAA500
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
- Engine Support Hanger, A and Reds AAR-T1256
* Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857.
Note these items during removal:
- Use solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox, but avoid any electrical parts. Blow dry with compressed air.
- Lower the front subframe from the body then remove the steering gearbox.
Removal
1. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure.
2. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.
3. Remove the front wheels.
4. Tilt the steering column all the way up and move it all the way in.
5. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
6. Hold the lower slide shaft (A) on the column with a piece of wire (B) between the joint yoke (C) of the lower slide shaft and joint yoke (D) of the upper shaft to prevent the lower slide from pulling out.
7. Remove the steering joint bolt (A).
8. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).
9. Disconnect the steering joint (A) by moving the steering joint toward the column.
10. Remove the center guide (B) (if equipped) from the top of the pinion shaft (C), and discard it.
NOTE: The center guide is for factory assembly use only.
11. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then remove the nut (B) on both sides.
12. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover and the ball joint thread protector Ball Joint Removal on both sides.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
13. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint castle nut (B), and remove the nut from both sides.
14. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover and the ball joint thread protector Ball Joint Removal on both sides.
NOTE:
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
- Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
15. Remove the stabilizer links from the stabilizer bar Service and Repair on both sides.
16. Remove the air cleaner housing Service and Repair.
17. Remove the cowl cover and the under-cowl panel Service and Repair.
18. Install the universal lifting eyelet (07AAK-SNAA120) to the bolt hole (A) at the air cleaner housing mounting bracket with the 1.8 support bolt (07AAK-SNAA500).
19. Remove the harness clamp (A) from its clamp bracket (B) located in front of the left damper top.
20. Set up the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256). Carefully position the engine support hanger to the vehicle; position both cross-arm foot bases (C) over the harness clamp brackets on both sides, and position both front stands on the front bulkhead. Attach the hook to the universal eyelet, tighten the wing nut by hand, and lift and support the engine.
21. Disconnect the EPS motor angle sensor 8P connector (A) and torque sensor 6P connector (B) from the steering gearbox.
22. Disconnect the EPS motor 3P connector (C) by pushing the lock (D) and pulling up the lever (E).
23. Wrap the connectors with vinyl tape to avoid contamination from grease or water.
24. Remove the front cross-member brace (A).
25. Remove the secondary HO2S harness bracket (A) from the steering gearbox.
NOTE: Do not disconnect the secondary HO2S 4P connector and the secondary HO2S.
26. Remove the splash shield Splash Shield Replacement.
27. Remove the lower torque rod (A).
28. Attach a transmission jack (A) to the middle of the front subframe (B), and support the front subframe securely by raising the transmission jack.
29. Remove the front subframe mounting bolts (C).
30. Lower the front subframe and steering gearbox as an assembly by lowering the jack slowly.
31. Remove the steering gearbox (A) from the front subframe (B).
32. Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A).
Installation
1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no grease 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 grease from the bolt holes.
2. Install the pinion shaft grommet (A). Align the lug portion (B) in the pinion shaft grommet to the steering gearbox.
3. Place the steering gearbox (A) on the front subframe (B).
4. Loosely install the stiffener plates (C), and new gearbox mounting bolts, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque in the sequence shown.
5. Turn the lip of the pinion shaft grommet to ease installation.
6. Set the front subframe (A) with the steering gearbox on the transmission jack and support it.
7. Carefully raise the front subframe with the transmission jack, and pass the pinion shaft into the passenger's compartment. Return the lip (B) of the pinion shaft grommet.
NOTE:
- Be sure that the pinion shaft grommet is securely in place. Make sure the lip of the pinion shaft grommet is not turned up. Incorrect installation can cause leakage of water or mud, and noise.
- Take care not to damage the lower arm ball joint boot with the edge of the knuckle, etc.
8. Loosely install new front subframe mounting bolts, then tighten the bolts to the specified torque in the sequence shown.
9. Install the lower torque rod (A).
10. Install the bolt (B) with the tab (C) on the bolt head aligned with the guide (D) on the front subframe, then loosely install a new torque rod mounting bolt (E) and nut (F).
11. Remove the engine support hanger (AAR-T1256) from the vehicle.
12. Remove the cross arm foot (A), then install the harness clip (B) to the harness clamp bracket (C) on the left side.
13. Tighten the torque rod mounting bolt and nut in the numbered sequence shown.
14. Install the splash shield Splash Shield Replacement.
15. Install the secondary HO2S harness bracket (A) to the steering gearbox.
16. Install the front cross-member brace (A).
17. Remove the vinyl tape from the connectors.
18. Connect the EPS motor angle sensor 8P connector (A), torque sensor 6P connector (B) to the steering gearbox.
19. Pull down the lever (C) of the EPS motor 3P connector (D), then confirm the connector is fully seated.
20. Remove the universal lifting eyelet (07AAK-SNAA120) and 1.8 support bolt (07AAK-SNAA500).
21. Install the air cleaner housing Service and Repair.
22. Install the under cowl panel and cowl cover Service and Repair.
23. Connect the stabilizer links to the stabilizer bar Service and Repair on both sides.
24. Wipe off any grease contamination from the tapered section and threads of the tie-rod end ball joint. Reconnect the tie-rod end ball joints (A) to the knuckles. Install the nuts (B), and tighten to the specified torque on both sides.
25. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown.
26. Wipe off any grease contamination from the lower arm ball joint tapered section and thread. Then reconnect the lower arm (A) to the knuckle. Install the new castle nut (B) and tighten it on both sides.
NOTE:
- Be careful not to damage the lower ball joint boot (C). Check the ball joint boot for deformation before connecting the knuckle.
- Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the joint pin clip hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
27. Install the lock pin (D) on both sides.
28. 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.
29. Cut the wire (A), while holding the lower slide shaft on the steering column.
30. Slip the lower end of the steering joint (B) onto the pinion shaft (C) taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle shown.
31. Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).
32. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.
33. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.
34. Install the steering joint cover (A).
35. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure.
36. After installation, check these items:
- Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
- Check that the EPS indicator does not come on.
- 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, then adjust the front toe by turning the tie-rod ends, if necessary.
37. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.