Steering Gear Replacement

Steering Gear Replacement

Tools Required

KM-507-C Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure





Caution:
Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution Battery Disconnect Caution in Cautions and Notices.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Caution:
Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution Vehicle Lifting Caution in Cautions and Notices.

2. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.

3. Remove the wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair in Tires and Wheels.

4. Disconnect the power steering gear fluid outlet pipe. Place a drain pan under the steering gear to catch the power steering fluid.

5. Disconnect the power steering gear fluid inlet pipe.





Notice:
Use only the spark plug boot special removal tool to remove the spark plug boots. Prying or using regular pliers could damage the boots.

6. Position the steering gear straight ahead by turning the steering wheel until the steering wheel spokes are vertical and pointed to the left.

7. Scribe a mark on the stub shaft housing that lines up with a mark on the intermediate shaft lower coupling.





8. Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt.





9. Remove the outer tie rod nuts and disconnect the tie rod ends from the strut assembly using KM-507-C.

10. Remove the crossmember assembly. Refer to Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement Front Suspension in Front Suspension.

11. Remove the transaxle center bracket, if equipped with automatic transaxle. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement in Automatic Transmission - ZF 4HP 16.

12. Remove the bolts securing the transaxle center bracket to the transaxle and the engine, if equipped with a manual transaxle. Move the transaxle center bracket out of the way.





13. Remove the nuts and bolts from the steering gear mounting bracket.





14. Remove the return line from the clip on the crossmember.

15. Disconnect the rack and pinion assembly from the crossmember assembly.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the rack and pinion assembly on the crossmember. The steering gear must be in a straight-ahead position and the steering wheel spokes must be vertical and pointing to the left. Align the marks on the shafts to ensure proper positioning. Seat the stub shaft into the intermediate shaft.





Notice:
Refer to Fastener Notice Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

2. Install the bolts and nuts on the steering gear mounting bracket.

Tighten the steering gear mounting bracket bolts and nuts to 60 Nm (44 lb ft).





3. Install the return line into the clip on the crossmember.

Tighten the return line clip bolt to 8 Nm (71 lb in).

4. Position the transaxle center bracket in place and install the bolts securing the bracket to the engine and the transaxle, if equipped with manual transaxle.

Tighten the transaxle center bracket-to-transaxle bolts and the transaxle center bracket-to-engine bolt to 80 Nm (59 lb ft).

5. Install the transaxle center bracket, if equipped with an automatic transaxle. Refer to Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement Transmission Mount Bracket Replacement in Automatic Transmission - ZF 4HP 16.

6. Install the crossmember. Refer to Front Suspension Crossmember Replacement Front Suspension in Front Suspension.





7. Connect the tie rod ends to the strut assembly.

8. Install the outer tie rod nuts.

Tighten the outer tie rod nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).





9. Install the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt.

Tighten the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).





10. Connect the power steering gear fluid inlet and outlet pipe.

Tighten the steering gear inlet and outlet pipe fitting to 28 Nm (21 lb ft).

11. Perform a front toe adjustment. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment in Wheel Alignment.

12. Install the wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair in Tires and Wheels.

13. Lower the vehicle.

14. Do a straight-ahead check. Refer to Rack and Pinion Preload Bearing Adjustment Rack and Pinion Preload Bearing Adjustment.

Notice:
When adding fluid or making a complete fluid change, always use a power steering fluid meeting GM Spec. No. 9985010 or equivalent. Fluid for cold climates is also available through GM Dealerships; refer to Specifications for further information. Failure to use the proper power steering fluid can cause power steering hose and seal damage, fluid leaks and pump failure.

15. Refill the power steering system and check for leaks. If leaks are found, correct the cause of the leak and bleed the system. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid.

16. Connect the negative battery cable.