Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear

Removal & Installation

To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.

   NOTE: The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the SIR coil assembly (clock spring) to become uncentered, which may cause damage to the assembly.

   Lock the steering column by installing the Steering Column Anti Rotation Pin tool J 42640 into the underside of the steering column--Aurora

    

2. Lock the steering column by installing the J42640 into the underside of the steering column.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the tires and wheels.
5. Remove the power steering gear heat shield.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:

   CAUTION
   Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control, which could result in personal injury.

   • Intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt and coupling from gear
   • Pressure and return pipes from the gear
   • Electrical connector, if equipped
   • Stabilizer shaft links at lower control arms
7. Remove the left stabilizer shaft insulator.
8. Rotate the stabilizer shaft to access steering gear bolts.
9. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • The outer tie rod retaining nuts.
   • Using J24319-B separate the outer tie rods from the steering knuckles.
10. Remove or disconnect the following:

    Steering gear mounting bolts

     

    • Rack and pinion attaching bolts
    • Rack and pinion assembly through the left wheel opening.
11. Transfer the outer tie rods if replacing the power steering gear.

To Install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   • Rack and pinion assembly through the left wheel opening and tighten the bolts to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm)
   • Electrical connector, if equipped
     Pressure and return lines to the steering gear and tighten the fittings to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm)
   • Heat shield and bolts. Tighten the bolts to 7 ft. Lbs. (10 N)
2. Install the left stabilizer shaft insulator.
3. Install stabilizer shaft Links to lower control arms
4. Install the Intermediate shaft to the steering gear and tighten the pinch bolt to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm)
5. Install the outer tie rods to the steering knuckles.
6. Install the outer tie rods retaining nuts. Torque the nuts to 22 ft. lbs (30 Nm) plus an additional 180°.
7. Install the tires and wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Remove the steering column anti rotation pin from the steering column.
10. Fill and bleed the power steering system.
11. Adjust the front toe.