Removal

NOTE: Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit and its lines, and the end if the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.

1. Drain the power steering fluid.
2. Raise the front of vehicle, and support it on safety stands in the proper locations.
3. Remove the front wheels.
4. Remove the steering wheel.





5. Remove the steering joint cover.





6. Remove the steering joint bolts, then disconnect the steering joint by moving the joint toward the column.
7. Remove the cotter pin from the tie-rod ball joint castle nut ('97 model) or nut ('98 - 99 model), and remove the nut.
8. Install the 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Be sure that the 10 mm hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint pin might be damaged by the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the ball joint using the special tool. Refer to Suspension for ball joint remover usage instructions.

CAUTION: Avoid damaging the ball joint boot.





NOTE: Acura 2.2CL or 2.3CL model is shown.

9. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool.





10. Remove the left tie-rod end, then slide the rack all the way to the right.





11. Remove the center beam.





12. Disconnect the heated oxygen sensor (H02S) connector.
13. Remove exhaust pipe A.

NOTE: Always replace the gaskets with new ones.

14. Disconnect the two lines from the valve body unit on the steering gearbox.

CAUTION: After disconnecting the lines, plug or seal the lines with a piece of tape or equivalent to prevent foreign materials from entering the valve body unit.





NOTE:
- Place the lines disconnected in the previous step at the rear side of the gearbox so that they do not hinder in the gearbox removal.
- Do not loosen the cylinder lines A and B between the valve body unit and cylinder.





15. Remove the stiffener plate first, then remove the right mounting brackets.
16. Pull the steering gearbox all the way down to clear the pinion shaft from the bulkhead.
17. Move the steering gearbox to the right so the left rack end clears the rear beam.
18. Hold the steering gearbox and slide the rack all the way to the left, then place the left rack end below the rear beam.





19. Move the steering gearbox to the left, and tilt the left side down to remove it from the vehicle.

CAUTION: Be careful not to bend or damage the two power steering lines and cylinder lines when removing the gearbox.