Steering Gearbox Removal and Installation
Special Tools Required
Image Description/Tool Number
609765.png Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
8616757.png Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00202
310292.png Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016*
*: Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program, 888-424-6857.

NOTE:
Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox. Avoid any electrical parts. Blow dry with compressed air.
Lower the front subframe from the body, and remove the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.

1. Vehicle - Lift

Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Front Wheel - Remove

Remove both front wheels.

3. Steering Joint Cover - Remove
Remove the steering joint cover (A).


4. Steering Wheel - Hold
1.
Center the steering wheel spoke angle.
2.
Install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).

5. Steering Joint - Disconnect
1.
Loosen the upper steering joint bolt (A).
2.
Remove the lower steering joint bolt (B).
3.
Disconnect the steering joint (C) by sliding the steering joint into the column shaft (D).
4.
Tighten the upper steering joint bolt to hold the column shaft.
5.
Remove the center guide (E) (if equipped), and discard it.
6.
Wrap vinyl tape to the splines on the pinion shaft.

6. Front Tower Bar - Remove (If Equipped)

Remove the front tower bar.

7. Engine Cover - Remove (V6 Engine)

Remove the engine cover.

8. Splash Separator - Remove

Remove the splash separator.

9. Front Bumper Upper Air Duct - Remove

Remove the front bumper upper air duct.

11. Tie-Rod End Ball Joint - Disconnect
1.
Remove the cotter pin (A).
2.
Remove the nut (B).
3.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the ball joint remover.

12. Power Steering Heat Shield - Remove (V6 Engine)
Remove the heat shield (A).


13. Steering Gearbox Stiffener - Remove

1.
Remove the steering gearbox stiffener (A) and the washer (B) on both sides.
2.
Remove the steering gearbox stiffener (A) and the washer (B) on center side.

14. Front Engine Mount Stop and Front Engine Mount Mounting Bolt - Remove
1.
Remove the front engine mount stop (A) and the vacuum hose bracket (B) (if equipped).
2.
Remove the front engine mount mounting bolt (C).

15. Rear Engine Mount Stop and Rear Engine Mount Mounting Bolt - Remove (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Remove the rear engine mount stop (A).
2.
Remove the rear engine mount mounting bolt (B).
3.
Disconnect the rear engine mount actuator connector (C).

16. Engine - Support

Lift and support the engine with a jack and a wood block under the oil pan.

17. Rear Engine Mount - Remove (Without Active Control Engine Mount System)

L4 engine - M/T

V6 engine - M/T

CVT
1.
Remove the rear engine mount mounting bolts (A).
2.
Remove the rear engine mount (B), and move it aside.

18. Rear Engine Mount - Remove (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Remove the rear engine mount mounting bolts (A).
2.
Remove the rear engine mount (B), and move it aside.

19. Rear Engine Mount Base Bracket - Remove (V6 Engine)

M/T

A/T
Remove the rear engine mount base bracket (A).


20. Engine Undercover - Remove

Remove the engine undercover.

21. Exhaust Pipe A or Under-Floor TWC/Exhaust Pipe A - Remove

Remove exhaust pipe A or under-floor TWC/exhaust pipe A:

22. Front Engine Mount Actuator Connector - Remove (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Disconnect the front engine mount actuator connector (A).
2.
Remove the front engine mount actuator connector (B) from the bracket (C).

23. EPS Connectors - Disconnect (L4 Engine)
NOTE: Wrap the connectors with vinyl tape to avoid contamination from grease or water.
1.
Disconnect the torque sensor connector (A).
2.
Disconnect the EPS motor angle sensor connector (B).
3.
Disconnect the EPS motor connector (C) by pushing the lock (D), and pulling up the lever (E).
4.
Remove the harness clip (F).

24. EPS Connectors - Disconnect (V6 Engine)
NOTE: Wrap the connectors with vinyl tape to avoid contamination from grease or water.
1.
Disconnect the torque sensor connector (A).
2.
With active control engine mount system: Disconnect the rear engine mount actuator subharness connector (B).
3.
Remove the harness clip (C).
4.
Disconnect the EPS motor connector (A) by pushing the lock (B), and pulling up the lever (C).
5.
Disconnect the EPS harness connector (D).

25. Shift Cable cover - Remove (A/T)
1.
Remove the shift cable bracket (A).
2.
Remove the shift cable cover (A).
3.
Remove the two bolts (B).

26. Front Subframe - Support
1.
Attach the subframe adapter (VSB02C000016) to the front subframe by looping the belt (A) over the front of the front subframe (B), then secure the belt with its stop (C).
2.
Raise the transmission jack and line up the slots in the subframe adapter arms with the bolt holes on the jack base, then securely attach them with four bolts.

27. Lower Transmission Mount Nuts - Remove (M/T of L4 Engine)
Remove the lower transmission mount nuts (A).


28. Lower Transmission Mount Nuts - Remove (V6 Engine and CVT)
Remove the lower transmission mount nuts (A).


29. Front Subframe Middle Mount Rubber Mounting Bolts - Remove
Remove the front subframe middle mount rubber mounting bolts (A) on both sides.


30. Front Subframe - Lift Down
1.
Remove the front stiffener mounting bolt (A) on both sides.
2.
Loosen the front subframe mounting bolt (B) on both sides so they are about 20 mm (0.79 in) from the mounting surface.
NOTE: Do not loosen the front subframe mounting bolts more than necessary.
3.
Remove the rear subframe mounting bolt (A) on both sides.
4.
Remove the rear stiffener mounting bolt (B) and the rear stiffener (C) on both sides.
5.
Lower the jack slowly until the front subframe (A) has dropped about 140 mm (5.51 in).

31. Steering Gearbox - Remove
1.
Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) toward the front side until the pinion shaft is horizontal.
2.
Remove the steering gearbox (A) through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.

32. Pinion Shaft Grommet - Remove
Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A).


33. Harness Bracket - Remove (L4 Engine)
1.
Remove the torque sensor connector (A).
2.
Remove the harness bracket (B).

34. Harness Bracket - Remove (V6 Engine)
1.
Remove the torque sensor connector (A).
2.
With active control engine mount system: Remove the rear engine mount actuator subharness connector (B).
3.
Remove the harness bracket (C).

35. EPS Harness - Remove (V6 Engine)
1.
Remove the EPS harness (A).
2.
Remove the harness brackets (B).


NOTE:
Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox. Avoid any electrical parts. Blow dry with compressed air.
Lower the front subframe from the body, and install the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.

1. EPS harness - Install (V6 Engine)
1.
Install the harness brackets (A).
2.
Install the EPS harness (B).

2. Harness Bracket - Install (L4 Engine)
1.
Install the harness bracket (A).
2.
Install the torque sensor connector (B).

3. Harness Bracket - Install (V6 Engine)
1.
Install the harness bracket (A).
2.
With active control engine mount system: Install the rear engine mount actuator subharness connector (B).
3.
Install the torque sensor connector (C).

4. Pinion Shaft Grommet - Install
1.
Install the pinion shaft grommet (A).

2.
Align the cutout portion (B) with the lug portion (C).
3.
The grommet must not have a gap at the mating surface of the grommet and torque sensor.

5. Steering Gearbox - Install

1.
Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the front subframe and the body from the driver's side.
2.
Move the steering gearbox (A) until the steering gearbox is in position.

6. Front Subframe - Lift Up
1.
Raise the front subframe up to the body.
2.
Install the rear stiffener (A), then loosely install the new rear stiffener mounting bolt (B) on both sides.
3.
Loosely install the new subframe mounting bolt (C) on both sides.
4.
Install the front stiffener (A), then loosely install the front stiffener mounting bolt (B) on both sides.
5.
Loosely install the new front subframe mounting bolt (C) on both sides.

7. Front Subframe Middle Mount Rubber Mounting Bolts - Loosely Install
Loosely install the front subframe middle mount rubber mounting bolts (A) on both sides.


9. Lower Transmission Mount Nuts - Install (M/T of L4 Engine)
Install the lower transmission mount nuts (A), then tighten the mount nuts to the specified torque.


10. Lower Transmission Mount Nuts - Install (V6 Engine and CVT)
Install the new lower transmission mount nuts (A), then tighten the nuts to the specified torque.


11. Subframe Jack - Release
Lower the transmission jack (A) supporting the front subframe (B).


12. Shift Cable cover - Install (A/T)
1.
Install the two bolts (A).
2.
Install the shift cable cover (B).
3.
Install the shift cable bracket (A).

13. EPS Connectors - Connect (L4 Engine)
1.
Remove the vinyl tape from the connectors.
2.
Install the harness clip (A).
3.
Connect the EPS motor connector (B), and pull down the lever (C).
4.
Connect the EPS motor angle sensor connector (D).
5.
Connect the torque sensor connector (E).

14. EPS Connectors - Connect (V6 Engine)
1.
Remove the vinyl tape from the connectors.
2.
Connect the EPS motor connector (A), and pulling down the lever (B).
3.
Connect the EPS harness connector (C).
4.
Install the harness clip (A).
5.
With active control engine mount system: Connect the rear engine mount actuator subharness connector (B).
6.
Connect the torque sensor connector (C).

15. Front Engine Mount Actuator Connector - Install (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Install the front engine mount actuator connector (A) to the bracket (B).
2.
Connect the front engine mount actuator connector (C).

16. Exhaust Pipe A or Under-Floor TWC/Exhaust Pipe A - Install

Install exhaust pipe A or under-floor TWC/exhaust pipe A:

17. Engine Undercover - Install

Install the engine undercover.

18. Engine - Support

Lift and support the engine with a jack and a wood block under the oil pan.

19. Rear Engine Mount Base Bracket - Install (V6 Engine)

M/T

A/T
1.
Install the rear engine mount base bracket (A) with the new mounting bolts.
2.
Tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque.

20. Rear Engine Mount - Install (Without Active Control Engine Mount System)

L4 engine - M/T

V6 engine - M/T

CVT
1.
Install the rear engine mount (A).
2.
Loosely install the new rear engine mount bolts (B), then loosely install the new rear engine mount mounting bolt (C).

21. Rear Engine Mount - Install (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Install the rear engine mount (A) with the new mounting bolts (B), then tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque.
2.
Loosely install the new mounting bolt (C).

22. Front Engine Mount Mounting Bolt - Loosely Install
1.
Loosely install the new mounting bolt (A).

24. Rear Engine Mount - Tighten (Without Active Control Engine Mount System)

L4 engine - M/T

V6 engine - M/T

CVT
Tighten the rear engine mount bolts and the rear engine mount mounting bolt in the numbered sequence shown.


25. Rear Engine Mount Stop and Rear Engine Mount Mounting Bolt - Tighten (With Active Control Engine Mount System)
1.
Tighten the mounting bolt (A) to the specified torque.
2.
Install the rear engine mount stop (B) with the new nuts (C).
3.
Connect the rear engine mount actuator connector (D).

26. Front Engine Mount Stop and Front Engine Mount Mounting Bolt - Tighten
1.
Tighten the mounting bolt (A) to the specified torque.
2.
Install the front engine mount stop (B) and the vacuum hose bracket (C) (if equipped) with the new nuts (D).

27. Steering Gearbox Stiffener - Install
1.
Install the steering gearbox stiffener (A) and the washer (B) on both sides.
2.
Loosely install the new steering gearbox mounting bolt (C) on both sides.
3.
Loosely install the new stiffener mounting bolt (D) on both sides.
4.
Install the steering gearbox stiffener (A) and the washer (B) on center side.
5.
Loosely install the new steering gearbox mounting bolt (C) on center side.
6.
Loosely install the new stiffener mounting bolt (D) on center side.

28. Steering Gearbox Mounting Bolt - Tighten
Tighten the steering gearbox mounting bolts and the stiffener mounting bolts to the specified torque in the numbered sequence shown.


29. Power Steering Heat Shield - Install (V6 Engine)
1.
Install the heat shield (A).
2.
Loosely install the mounting bolt (B).
3.
Tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque in the numbered sequence shown.

30. Tie-Rod End Ball Joint - Connect
1.
Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads.

2.
Connect the tie-rod ball joint (A) to the knuckle.

3.
Install the nut (B) and tighten to the specified torque.
4.
Install a new cotter pin (C).
NOTE: Bend the cotter pin as shown.

31. Front Bumper Upper Air Duct - Install

Install the front bumper upper air duct.

32. Splash Separator - Install

Install the splash separator.

33. Engine Cover - Install (V6 Engine)

Install the engine cover.

34. Front Tower Bar - Install (If Equipped)

Install the front tower bar.

35. Steering Wheel - Release
Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).


36. Steering Joint - Connect
1.
Set the rack in the straight ahead driving position.
2.
Remove the vinyl tape from the pinion shaft (A).
3.
Loosen the upper steering joint bolt (B).
4.
Slip the lower end of the steering joint (C) onto the pinion shaft.
NOTE: Position the steering column by aligning the gap (D) within the angle.
5.
Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft.
6.
Loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (C).
7.
Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.
8.
Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated.
9.
Tighten the upper and the lower steering joint bolts to the specified torque.

37. Steering Joint Cover - Install
Install the steering joint cover (A).


38. Front Wheel - Install

Install both front wheels.

39. Steering Gearbox - After Install Symptom Check

With the tires raised off the ground, check for the following symptoms by turning the steering wheel fully to the right and left several times.

Symptom
Probable cause
Rubbing sound coming from the lower steering column area.
Steering column joint is contacting the cover.
Grating sound from the lower steering column area, or a rough feeling during steering.
Poor engagement of the pinion shaft serrations.
Noise from around the steering wheel during steering.
Poor engagement of the SRS cable reel with the steering wheel, or a damaged cable reel.

40. Steering Gearbox After Install - Check

After installation, check these items:
Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
Check that the EPS indicator does not come on.
Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft splines.

42. Torque Sensor Neutral Position - Memorizing

Do the torque sensor neutral position memorization.

43. VSA Sensor Neutral Position - Memorization

Do the VSA sensor neutral position memorization.

44. Steering Angle Sensor Neutral Position - Clear

Do the steering angle sensor neutral position clear.

45. TPMS - Calibration

Do the TPMS calibration.