Steering Gear: Service and Repair
Steering Gear - All Wheel Drive (AWD)Special Tools:
Material:
Note: 3.0L Shown, 3.5L, Similar:
Removal
CAUTION: When removing the steering gear it is important to have the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position or unequal right to left turns may result, causing tire contact with the body. A new steering gear is centered and ready for installation.
CAUTION: When repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of contaminants, or premature failure of the power steering components may result.
All engines
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Place the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position and the ignition key in the OFF position.
3. Remove the 2 lower steering column shaft joint cover bolts and cover.
4. CAUTION: Do not allow the intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring can occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered. For additional information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
CAUTION: Make sure to correctly index-mark the steering gear to steering column shaft position or unequal right to left turns will result during installation, causing tire contact with the body.
Index-mark the steering column shaft-to-steering gear position for reference during installation.
5. Remove and discard the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
6. CAUTION: Remove the steering gear/dash seal or damage to the seal can occur.
Remove the steering gear/dash seal.
7. Remove the battery and battery tray.
8. NOTE: Battery mounting bracket removed for clarity.
Disconnect the electrical connectors from the power control module (PCM).
- Detach the wiring harness retainer from the PCM bracket and position the harness aside.
9. Remove the power steering pressure line banjo bolt.
- Discard the bolt and 2 seals.
10. Remove the power steering pressure line-to-steering gear bracket bolt.
11. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Remove 4 screws from each side and position the RH and LH fender splash shield aside.
12. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Remove the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown) from the LH and RH splash shield.
13. If equipped, remove the bolts and the underbody splash shield.
14. Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts.
- Discard the cotter pins.
15. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the outer tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle may result.
Using the special tool, separate the outer tie-rod ends from the knuckle.
16. NOTE: Always install new fasteners and gaskets. Clean flange faces prior to new gasket installation to make sure of proper sealing.
Remove and discard the 2 catalytic converter-to-exhaust flexible pipe nuts and separate the exhaust flexible pipe.
17. Remove the 2 bolts and the steering gear heat shield.
18. Support the rear of the subframe with a suitable jack and remove the 4 rear bolts and 2 rear nuts.
19. Lower the rear of the front subframe 76.2 mm (3 inch) with the support of the jack.
3.5L engine
20. Remove the power steering pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
All engines
21. Release the clamp and disconnect the steering gear-to-fluid cooler return hose.
22. Remove the 3 steering gear bolts.
23. Remove the steering gear from the LH side of the vehicle.
Installation
CAUTION: When installing the steering gear it is important to have the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position or unequal right to left turns may result, causing tire contact with the body. A new steering gear is centered and ready for installation.
CAUTION: When repairing the power steering system, care should be taken to prevent the entry of contaminants, or premature failure of the power steering components may result.
1. From the LH side of the vehicle, install the steering gear.
2. Install the 3 steering gear bolts.
- Tighten to 107 Nm (79 ft. lbs.).
3. Connect the steering gear-to-fluid cooler return hose and connect the clamp.
4. Using a suitable jack, raise the rear of the front subframe.
5. Install the 4 rear bolts and 2 rear nuts.
- To install, tighten the bolts and nuts in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the nuts to 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.).
- Stage 2: Tighten the bolts to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the steering gear heat shield and the 2 bolts.
- To install, tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
7. NOTE: Always install new fasteners and gaskets. Clean flange faces prior to new gasket installation to make sure of correct sealing.
Position the exhaust flexible pipe and install the 2 catalytic converter-to-exhaust flexible pipe nuts.
- Tighten to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the 2 outer tie-rod end nuts.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
- Install 2 new cotter pins.
9. If equipped, install the underbody splash shield and bolts.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 inch lbs.).
10. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Install the LH and RH splash shield and the 6 pin-type retainers (4 shown).
11. NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar.
Install the RH and LH fender splash shield and the 4 screws from each side.
12. Install the power steering pressure line bracket-to-steering gear bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
13. CAUTION: New banjo bolts and new seals must be installed any time the power steering pressure line is disconnected from the power steering pump and/or the steering gear.
Install the power steering pressure line banjo bolt and seals.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).
14. NOTE: Battery mounting bracket removed for clarity.
Connect the electrical connectors to the power control module (PCM).
- Attach the wiring harness retainer to the PCM bracket.
15. Install the battery tray and battery.
16. CAUTION: The steering gear/dash seal must be fully seated in the steering gear valve tower groove before the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body. If the steering gear/dash seal is not seated to the steering valve tower groove and the clips are not fully engaged to the body, water and foreign material may enter the passengers compartment.
Applying hand force to the center of the seal, install the steering gear/dash seal onto the steering gear valve tower until the seal is fully seated in the valve tower groove.
17. CAUTION: The steering gear/dash seal must be fully seated in the steering gear valve tower groove before the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body. If the steering gear/dash seal is not seated to the steering valve tower groove and the clips are not fully engaged to the body, water and foreign material may enter the passengers compartment.
Install the steering gear/dash seal until the retaining clips are fully engaged into the body.
18. CAUTION: Do not allow the steering intermediate shaft to rotate while it is disconnected from the steering gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the intermediate shaft has rotated, the clockspring must be removed and recentered.
CAUTION: Make sure to correctly align the index marks when installing the steering gear to steering column shaft or unequal right to left turns may result, causing tire contact with the body.
With the index marks correctly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
19. Install the lower steering column shaft joint cover and the 2 bolts.
20. Fill the power steering system.
21. Check and, if necessary, align the front end.