Steering Gearbox Removal

Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required

- Hood Prop Bar 07AAZ-SZNA100
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
- Engine Hanger Adapter Set VSB02C000031
*Available through the Acura 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. Remove the passenger's side front fender trim .

2. Pry the hood support strut clip, and release the hood support strut, then move the hood to a vertical position and install the hood prop bar (07AAZ-SZNA100) as shown.





3. Remove the front bulkhead cover Front Bulkhead Cover Replacement.

4. Remove the engine cover.

5. Drain the power steering fluid Testing and Inspection.

6. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure.

7. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

8. Remove the front wheels.

9. Pull back the carpet (A), then remove the steering joint cover (B).






10. Loosen the steering joint upper bolt (A) and the steering joint lower bolt (B).






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






12. Remove the steering joint lower bolt (A). Disconnect the steering joint (B) by sliding the steering joint into the column shaft (C). Tighten the steering joint upper bolt (D) to hold the steering joint in place.





13. Remove the center guide (E) (if equipped) from the top of the pinion shaft.

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

15. With ECPS: Disconnect the ECPS valve motor connector (A).






16. With active damper system: Remove the suspension stroke sensor harness clips (A) on both sides.






17. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (A), and disconnect the return hose (B).





18. Loosen the 16 mm flare nut (C), and disconnect the inlet line (D).

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





20. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector (C) and the ball joint remover (D) on both sides Ball Joint Removal.

21. Disconnect the stabilizer link (A) from the stabilizer bar on both sides Front Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation.






22. Remove the connector bracket (A) from the front cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balance bar front arm.






23. Remove the engine mount control solenoid valve bracket (A) from the rear cylinder head; use the bracket bolt hole to attach the engine hanger balance bar rear arm.






24. Remove the service caps (A) for the front damper flange nuts from the cowl cover (B). Position the engine hanger adapter set (C) with the "FRONT" mark facing forward over the damper flange nuts.





25. Support the engine with the engine support hanger, and the engine hanger balance bar.

26. Remove the front engine mount stop (A) and the front engine mount control solenoid valve line bracket (B), then remove the front engine mount mounting bolt (C).





27. Raise the vehicle.

28. Remove the engine undercover Engine Undercover Replacement and the front splash shield Front Splash Shield Replacement.

29. Disconnect the front engine mount control solenoid valve tube (A), and remove the clip (B).





30. Remove the front engine mount mounting bolts (C).

31. Remove the front subframe stiffener plate (A).





32. Remove exhaust pipe A Service and Repair.

33. Remove the propeller shaft from the transfer shaft flange.

34. Remove the inlet line clamp bolts (A).






35. Remove the rear mount stop (A), heat shield (B), and the rear engine mount mounting bolts (C), then move the rear engine mount aside.






36. Remove the rear engine mount base bracket (A).






37. Remove the steering gearbox mounting bolts (A) from the driver's side of the steering gearbox.






38. Remove the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) from the driver's side of the front subframe.






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






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





41. 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 four bolts.

42. Remove the lower transmission mount mounting bolts (A) and the ground cable bolt (B).






43. Remove the front stiffener mounting bolts (A) on both sides.





44. Loosen the subframe mounting bolts (B) so they are about 40 mm (1.57 in) from the mounting surface. Do not loosen the subframe mounting bolts more than necessary.

45. Remove the rear stiffener mounting bolts (A) on both sides.





46. Loosen the subframe mounting bolts (B) so they are about 40 mm (1.57 in) from the mounting surface. Do not loosen the subframe mounting bolts more than necessary.

47. Lower the transmission jack slowly until the front subframe has dropped about 40 mm (1.57 in).

48. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) toward the driver's side until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening on the frame.






49. Remove the steering gearbox (A) through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.






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





51. Remove the return line joint (B) if necessary.

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