Removal and Installation
Special Service Tool(s)
Removal
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Center the steering wheel.
^ Lock in position, remove the ignition key.
3. Disconnect the steering column shaft from the flexible coupling.
^ Rotate the clamp plate to disengage.
4. CAUTION: When removing the floor seal do not damage the sealing clips.
Remove the floor seal from the bulkhead.
1. Release the retaining clips.
2. Disconnect the upper retaining clip.
3. Remove the floor seal.
5. Remove the steering column shaft flexible coupling.
6. Remove the front wheel and tire.
7. Remove the radiator splash shield.
8. Disconnect the fluid cooler line.
^ Allow the fluid to drain into a suitable container.
9. Remove the two splash shields (wheel removed for clarity).
Vehicles with 2.5L engine
10. Remove the front exhaust hanger insulator.
11. Detach the rear heated oxygen sensor wiring harness.
Vehicles with automatic transaxle
12. Detach the rear support insulator.
Vehicles with manual transaxle
13. Remove the rear support insulator center bolt.
All Vehicles
14. Remove the tie-rod end nuts.
15. Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.
16. Lower the subframe to gain access to the steering gear tubes.
1. Loosen the subframe front bolts two complete turns.
2. Remove the subframe rear bolts.
17. Detach the high-pressure tube support bracket.
18. Detach the return tube support bracket.
19. CAUTION: Whenever the steering gear unions are disconnected the steering gear valve body ports should be plugged to prevent dirt ingress.
Disconnect the tube unions from the steering gear.
1. Disconnect the high-pressure tube union.
2. Disconnect the return tube union.
^ Allow the fluid to drain into a suitable container.
20. Remove the steering gear cover plate.
21. CAUTION: Make sure that the pressure check valve does not fall out of the valve body pressure port when the steering gear is being removed.
Remove the steering gear.
Installation
1. Using the special tool, Install new union O-ring seals.
1. Push the new O-ring seal onto the special tool.
2. Locate the tool over the union and ease the O-ring seal onto the union.
2. CAUTION: Make sure the pressure check valve is correctly located.
Install the steering gear.
3. Install the steering gear cover plate.
4. Connect the tube unions.
5. Install the return tube support bracket.
6. Install the high-pressure tube support bracket.
7. Using the special tool, align the subframe.
1. Install the alignment pins through the subframe aligning holes.
2. Install the locking pins.
3. Tighten the alignment pin sleeves.
8. Install and secure the subframe bolts.
9. Remove the special tool (subframe alignment pins).
Vehicles with automatic transaxle
10. Install the rear support insulator.
Vehicles with manual transaxle
11. Install the rear support insulator center bolt.
Vehicles with 2.5L engine
12. Secure the rear heated oxygen sensor wiring harness.
13. Install the front exhaust hanger insulator.
All Vehicles
14. Connect the tie-rod ends.
15. Install the two splash shields.
16. Connect the fluid cooler line.
17. Install the radiator splash shield.
18. NOTE: Make sure the steering is in the straight ahead position before lowering the vehicle.
Install the front wheel and tire.
19. WARNING: Install a new pinch bolt. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
Install the steering column shaft flexible coupling.
20. Install the floor seal.
21. WARNING: install a new pinch bolt. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
Connect the steering column shaft to the flexible coupling.
22. Connect the battery ground cable.
23. Fill the power steering system.