Steering Gearbox Removal and Installation
Special Tools Required
Image Description/Tool Number
8616757.png Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00202
3618799.png Ball Joint Thread Protector, 10 mm 07AAF-SECA120

NOTE: Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.

3. Steering Column Tilt and Telescopic Position - Set
1.
Set the steering column to the center tilt position, and to the center telescopic position.

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

5. Steering Joint Cover - Remove

6. Steering Joint - Disconnect
1.
Hold the spline shaft (A) on the column with a piece of wire (B) between the joint yoke (C) of the spline shaft and the joint yoke (D) of the spline tube to prevent the lower spline shaft from pulling out.
2.
Remove the steering joint bolt (A).
3.
Disconnect the steering joint (A) from the pinion shaft (B).
4.
Remove the center guide (A) (if equipped), and discard it.

7. 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.

9. Engine - Support

11. Front Subframe - Lift Down
1.
Attach a wood block (A) to the lower center of the front subframe (B).
2.
Attach a transmission jack (C) to the center of the wood block.
3.
Support the front subframe securely by raising the transmission jack.
4.
Remove the front subframe mounting bolts (D) and the subframe rear stay mounting bolts (E).
5.
Lower the jack slowly until the subframe of the body has dropped about 30 mm (1.18 in).
NOTE: Do not lower the subframe more than required.

12. Steering Gearbox - Remove
1.
Remove the steering gearbox stays (A).
2.
Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A).
3.
Carefully move the steering gearbox so that the pinion shaft (A) turns to the rearward.
4.
Remove the steering gearbox (A) through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the steering gearbox boot and the pinion shaft.

1. Steering Gearbox - Install

1.
Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the front subframe and the body from the driver's side.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the steering gearbox boot and the pinion shaft.
2.
Install the steering gearbox until the steering gearbox is in position.
3.
Install the pinion shaft grommet (A).

NOTE: Align the cutout portions (B) with the lug portions (C).
4.
Install the steering gearbox stays (A), and loosely install the new gearbox mounting bolts (B).
5.
Tighten the bolts to the specified torque in the numbered sequence shown.

2. Front Subframe - Lift Up
1.
Carefully raise the front subframe (A) with the transmission jack (B), and pass the pinion shaft into the driver's compartment.
NOTE:
Make sure the pinion shaft grommet (C) is securely in place.
Incorrect installation can cause leakage of water or mud, and noise.
2.
Loosely install the new front subframe mounting bolts (D) and the new subframe rear stay mounting bolts (E).

5. Jack - Release

7. 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.

8. Steering Joint - Connect
1.
Cut the wire (A).
2.
Set the rack in the straight ahead driving position.
3.
Slip the lower end of the steering joint (B) onto the pinion shaft (C) taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle shown.
4.
Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft.
5.
Loosely install a new steering joint bolt (C).
6.
Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.
7.
Tighten the steering joint bolt to the specified torque.
8.
Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated.

9. Steering Joint Cover - Install
1.
Install the clip (A) and the push nuts (B) in the numbered sequence shown.
NOTE: Check the steering joint cover for damage and cracks. If the steering joint cover is cracked, replace the steering joint cover.

10. Steering Wheel Holder - Remove

12. Steering Gearbox - Symptom Check
1.
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.

13. Steering Gearbox - Check
1.
After installation, check these items:
Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
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.