Removal and Replacement
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX AND LINKAGEREMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WARNING
^ Before removing the power steering gear assembly, refer to Service Precautions and Air Bag Module and Clock Spring.
^ Center the front wheels, Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render the SRS system inoperative, risking serious injury.
CAUTION
*: Indicates parts which should be temporarily tightened, and then fully tightened after placing the vehicle horizontally and loading the full weight of the engine on the vehicle body.
Pre-installation & Post-installation Operation:
Removal Steps 1-16:
Removal Steps 17-20 & Required Special Tool:
REMOVAL SERVICE POINTS
[[A]] STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND STEERING GEAR DISCONNECTION
1. Pinch the steering column shaft clip with pliers, and pull up the shaft in the direction shown to disengage the steering column assembly.
NOTE: If the steering column shaft is removed accidentally remove the steering column assembly and be sure to insert the steering column shaft into the steering column as shown in the Figure.
[[B]] TIE ROD END AND KNUCKLE DISCONNECTION
CAUTION:
^ Do not remove the nut from ball joint. Loosen it and use special tool MB991897 to avoid possible damage to ball joint threads.
^ Hang special tool MB991897 with a cord to prevent it from failing.
1. Install special tool MB991897 as shown in the figure.
2. Turn the bolt and knob as necessary to make the jaws of special tool MB991897 parallel, tighten the bolt by hand and confirm that the jaws are still parallel.
NOTE: When adjusting the jaws in parallel, make sure the knob is in the position shown in the figure.
3. Tighten the bolt with a wrench to disconnect the tie rod end.
[[C]] FRONT AXLE CROSSMEMBER STAY REMOVAL
The crossmember mounting bolts need not be unscrewed when the front axle crossmember stay is replaced. However, the bolts may be loose while the front axle crossmember stay is removed. Retighten the bolts to 180 ± 20 Nm (133 ± 14 ft. lbs.).
[[D]] CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY REMOVAL
1. From inside the vehicle, loosen the 3 shown clips from the body panel.
2. Use a transmission jack to hold the crossmember, and then remove the crossmember mounting nuts and bolts.
3. Lower the crossmember with the rear roll stopper, the stabilizer bar and the steering gear.
INSTALLATION SERVICE POINTS
]]A[[ POWER STEERING GEAR BRACKET/REAR ROLL STOPPER INSTALLATION
Tighten the bolts as follows:
1. Tighten bolt A and then tighten bolt B.
2. Tighten bolts E finger-tight.
3. Tighten bolt C and then tighten bolts D.
4. Tighten bolts E and then tighten bolt F.
]]B[[ STABILIZER BAR/STABILIZER BUSHING/STABILIZER BRACKET INSTALLATION
Align the stabilizer bar identification mark with the right end of the bushing (LH).
]]C[[ STEERING COLUMN DASH PANEL COVER/CROSSMEMBER ASSEMBLY/PINCH CLAMP INSTALLATION
1. Install the pinch clamp and align the steering column dash panel cover notch (arrow A) with the steering gear lug (arrow B), and then install the steering column dash panel cover to the steering gear.
2. Use the end pliers to tighten the pinch clamp. The pinched dimension should be as follows.
A: 2.5 ± 0.5 mm (0.10 ± 0.02 inch)
NOTE: Pinch clamp must be located securely between protrusions of the steering column dash panel cover.
NOTE: Pinching location must be in the area shown in the illustration.
3. Use a transmission jack to lift the crossmember assembly.
4. From inside the vehicle, pull tab A and then tab B to secure the three clips to the body panel.
NOTE: When securing the steering column dash panel cover to the body panel, be careful that the seal lip does not move backwards.
5. Check that it has been secured by pressing down the tip of the clips by your finger. Also check that the steering column dash panel cover is installed securely to the steering gear.
6. After installing the steering column dash panel cover, check that the steering column dash panel cover rubber is not disengaged from the retainer. If there is any doubt, release the clips from the body, engage the rubber again and reinstall to the body.
7. Tighten the crossmember mounting nuts to 180 ± 20 Nm (133 ± 14 ft. lbs.).
]]D[[ FRONT AXLE CROSSMEMBER STAY INSTALLATION
Ensure that the crossmember mounting bolts have been tightened to 180 ± 20 Nm (133 ± 14 ft. lbs.), and then install the front crossmember stay with the self-locking nut.
INSPECTION
STEERING GEAR TOTAL PINION TORQUE CHECK
Required Special Tool
^ MB991006: Preload Socket
CAUTION:
^ When holding the steering gear in a vice, secure its mounting positions. If it is secured in any other place, the gear housing may become deformed or damaged.
^ Do not loosen the adjust screw more than 2 rotations.
^ If the adjust screw is loosened more than 2 rotations, or if it is removed, replace the steering gear assembly.
1. Using special tool MB991006, rotate the pinion gear at the rate of one rotation in approximately 4 to 6 seconds to check the total pinion torque.
Standard value: 0.8 - 1.9 Nm (7.1 - 16.8 inch lbs.)
[Change in torque: 0.7 Nm (6.2 inch lbs.) or less]
NOTE: When measuring, remove the bellows from the rack housing. Measure the pinion torque through the whole stroke of the rack.
2. If the total pinion torque or the change in torque is outside the standard value, loosen the rack support cover once and retighten it to the specified torque 12 ± 2 Nm (107 ± 17 inch lbs.). Then loosen the rack support cover 10 degrees, and check the pinion torque again.
If the total pinion torque cannot be adjusted to within the standard range by adjusting the rack support cover, replace the power steering gear.
TIE ROD SWING RESISTANCE CHECK
1. Give 10 hard swings to the tie rod.
2. Measure the tie rod swing resistance with a spring scale.
Standard value: 3.6 - 17.6 N (0.81 - 3.96 lb)
[Swing torque: 1.0 - 4.9 Nm (8.9 - 43.3 inch lbs.)]
3. If the measured value exceeds the standard value, replace the tie rod.
4. If the measured value is below the standard value, the tie rod can be re-used if it swings smoothly without excessive play.
TIE ROD END BALL JOINT DUST COVER CHECK
1. Check the dust cover for cracks or damage by pushing it with your finger.
2. If the dust cover is cracked or damaged, replace the tie rod end.