Removal and Installation

Special Tools:

Special Tool(s)

Removal
1. Turn the steering wheel 1/4 turn and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.





3. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nuts.





4. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nuts.





5. CAUTION: Do not damage the tie rod end boot when installing the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckles.





6. NOTE: For assembly reference, count and record the number of turns required to remove the tie-rod ends.

Remove the tie-rod ends.





7. CAUTION: Do not use power tools to remove the nuts. The stabilizer link ball joint or the boot can be damaged.

NOTE: To remove the nut, first loosen the nut, then use the hex holding feature to prevent the stabilizer bar link ball joint from turning while removing the ball joint nut.

Remove the nuts and detach both stabilizer bar links from the stabilizer bar.
- Discard the nuts.





8. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the steering column intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the air bag clockspring will result.

Remove the bolt and disconnect the intermediate shaft coupling.
- Discard the bolt.





9. Remove and discard the nuts.
- Discard the gasket.





10. Remove and discard the nuts and the U-bolt.
- Support the muffler inlet pipe.
- Remove the catalytic converter.





11. Remove and discard the nuts.
12. Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.





13. Remove the bolts and lower the rear of the subframe approximately 102 mm (4 inches).
- Discard the bolts.





14. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch electrical connector.





15. Remove the bolt.





16. Remove the bolt and detach the power steering pressure hose.





17. Remove the bolts and the bracket/heat shield.





18. Disconnect the power steering lines.
- Remove and discard the seals.
19. Remove the steering gear through the left fender well.

Installation





1. Using the special tool, install new seals on the power steering hose fittings.

2. NOTE: Center, and then turn the steering gear input shaft 1/2 turn to the right to make sure the intermediate shaft coupling will fit correctly on the input shaft.

Route the steering gear through the left fender well.





3. Position the steering gear mounting bolts in the subframe holes and install the nuts.





4. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering wheel to rotate while the steering column intermediate shaft is disconnected or damage to the air bag clockspring can result. If there is evidence that the shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.

Raise the subframe and install the bolts.
- Guide the steering column intermediate shaft coupling onto the steering gear input shaft as the subframe is raised into position.





5. Position the boot out of the way and install the pinch bolt.





6. Connect the power steering pressure switch electrical connector.





7. Connect the power steering lines.





8. Install the bracket/heat shield and the bolts.





9. Install the bolt.





10. Install the bolt.





11. Position the catalytic converter between the Y-pipe and the muffler.
- Install the gasket and the nuts.





12. Install the U-bolt and the nuts.





13. CAUTION: Do not use power tools to tighten the nuts. The stabilizer bar link ball joint or boot can be damaged.

Connect the stabilizer bar links to the stabilizer bar and while holding the hex feature install the nuts.





14. Install the tie-rod ends, nuts, and cotter pins.





15. Tighten the tie-rod end jam nuts.
16. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies.
17. Fill and leak check the system.
18. Check and adjust front toe as necessary.