Removal and Installation

Special Tools:

Special Tool(s)

Removal
1. Turn the steering wheel 1/2 turn to the right and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.





3. Remove the bolts and the engine roll restrictor.





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





5. Disconnect the power steering lines.
- Remove and discard the seals.





6. Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt.
- Discard the bolt.
7. Center the steering wheel and turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.





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.

Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
9. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.





10. Loosen the tie-rod end jam nuts.





11. Remove and discard the cotter pins and nuts.





12. 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.





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

Remove the tie-rod ends.





14. CAUTION: Do not use power tools to remove the nuts. The stabilizer bar link ball joint or 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 nut.

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





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





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





17. Remove and discard the nuts.





18. Remove the bolt and detach the bracket from the steering gear.
19. Support the rear of the front subframe with jack stands.





20. Remove the bolts and lower the rear of the front subframe approximately 102 mm (4 inches).
- Discard the bolts.
21. Remove the steering gear through the left fender well.

Installation





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





2. Install the bolt.





3. 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 wheel has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.

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





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





5. Install the U-bolt and the nuts.





6. 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.





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





8. Tighten the tie-rod end jam nuts.
9. Install the front wheel and tire assemblies.





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





11. Connect the power steering lines.
12. Turn the steering wheel 1/2 turn to the right.





13. Install the intermediate shaft pinch bolt.





14. Install the bolt.





15. Install the engine roll restrictor and tighten the bolts.
16. Install the air cleaner outlet pipe.
17. Fill and leak check the system.
18. Check and adjust toe settings as necessary.