Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required 

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

Note these items during removal:

• Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, it's lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
• Be sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.
• Lower the front subframe from the body and remove the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.

1. Drain the power steering fluid (see FLUID REPLACEMENT  ).
2. Record the customer's radio station preset, then disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the driver's airbag assembly (see DRIVER'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ).
4. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL  ).
5. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
   Fig 1: Removing Steering Joint Cover

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6. Remove the steering joint bolts, disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (A) toward the column.
   Fig 2: Identifying Steering Joint

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7. Disconnect the pump outlet hose (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the clamp (B).
   Fig 3: Identifying Pump Outlet Hose And Clamp

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8. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts on the engine side mount bracket (A).
   Fig 4: Identifying Engine Side Mount Bracket Flange Bolts

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9. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.
10. Remove the front wheels.
11. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the 12 mm nut (B), and loosen the nut.
    Fig 5: Removing Cotter Pin From 12 mm Nut

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12. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
13. Remove the front suspension subframe stiffener plate.
    Fig 6: Removing Front Suspension Subframe Stiffener Plate

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14. Remove the three self-locking nuts, and disconnect the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) (A) from the mufflers (B) (see EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 7: Disconnecting Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) From Mufflers

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15. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts of the exhaust rubber mount (A).
    Fig 8: Removing 10 mm Flange Bolts Of Exhaust Rubber Mount

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16. Disconnect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
    Fig 9: Identifying Power Steering Pressure (PSP) Switch Connector

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17. Remove the propeller shaft protector.
    Fig 10: Removing Propeller Shaft Protector

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18. Remove the splash shield.
    Fig 11: Removing Splash Shield

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19. Place a jack (A) under the front tube of the front suspension subframe (B), and support it by raising the jack. Place a transmission jack (C) under the center of the transfer case (D).
    Fig 12: Placing Transmission Jack Under Center Of Transfer Case

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20. Loosen the two 14 mm flange bolts (A) on the front suspension subframe so they are about 30 mm (13/16 in.) from the mounting surface. Do not loosen the 14 mm flange bolts more than necessary.
    Fig 13: Identifying 14 mm Flange Bolts

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21. Remove the four 12 mm flange bolts from the front suspension subframe front brackets (A).
    Fig 14: Removing Four 12 mm Flange Bolts From Front Suspension Subframe Front Brackets

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22. Support the transfer case securely by raising the transmission jack, then remove the two 12 mm flange bolts (A).
    Fig 15: Removing 12 mm Flange Bolts And 14 mm Special Bolts

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23. Remove the two 14 mm special bolts (B) and front suspension subframe rear brackets (C) from the front subframe.
24. Lower the transmission jack slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped about 50 mm (1 15/16 in.).
    Fig 16: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Dropped Specification

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25. Remove the P/S line mounting brackets (A) from the front suspension subframe and gearbox mounting bracket.
    Fig 17: Removing P/S Line Mounting Brackets

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26. Loosen the 16 mm flare nut (A), and disconnect the feed line (B).
    Fig 18: Disconnecting Feed Line

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27. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (C) and disconnect the return hose (D).
28. Remove the two 10 mm flange bolts from the right side of the steering gearbox, then remove the mounting bracket (A) and cushion (B).
    Fig 19: Removing Mounting Bracket And Cushion

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29. Remove the two 10 mm flange bolts from the left side of the gearbox.
    Fig 20: Removing Two 10 mm Flange Bolts From Left Side Of Gearbox

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30. Lower the transmission jack slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped 100 mm (3 15/16 in.) total.
    Fig 21: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Dropping Dimension

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31. Remove the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) from the left side of the front suspension subframe.
    Fig 22: Removing Gearbox Stiffener Bracket

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32. Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the body and front suspension subframe toward the left, and remove the steering gearbox.
    Fig 23: Identifying Steering Gearbox

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33. After removing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid gets on the gearbox mount cushions, gearbox housing, surface of the front subframe and stiffener. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once.