Steering Gearbox Installation

Special Tools Required 

Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016 *

* Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment program 888-424-6857

1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the gearbox and front suspension subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and bolt holes.
2. Apply a mild soap and water solution to both sides of the mount cushion mating surfaces (A).
   Fig 1: Applying Mild Soap And Water Solution To Both Sides Of Mount Cushion Mating Surfaces

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
3. Pass the cylinder of the steering gearbox (B) through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.
4. Carefully move the steering gearbox toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening on the body.
5. Rotate the steering gearbox so the pinion shaft (A) points upward.
   Fig 2: Rotating Steering Gearbox

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
6. Continue moving the gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position. Make sure the power steering return line and feed line are routed above the gearbox.
7. Remove the vinyl tape from the pinion shaft, and install the pinion shaft grommet (A). Align the slot in the pinion shaft grommet with the lug portion (B) on the valve housing.
   Fig 3: Installing Pinion Shaft Grommet

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Position the cutout (A) on the mounting cushion (B) as shown in Fig 4, and install it on the cylinder of the gearbox securely.
   Fig 4: Identifying Position Cutout On Mounting Cushion

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Install the new gearbox mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion, and loosely install the two flange bolts.
10. Install the new gearbox mounting bolts (A) and washers (B) on the left side of the gearbox, then tighten them to the specified torque.
    Fig 5: Installing Gearbox Mounting Bolts And Washers

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Tighten the flange bolts on the right side of the gearbox to the specified torque alternately in two or more steps.
12. Loosely connect the return line ('04 model)/pipe ('05-06 models) and feed line by hand.
13. Install the feed line holder (A) and return hose (B) on the gearbox mounting bracket (C).
    Fig 6: Installing Feed Line Holder And Return Hose ('04 Model)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 7: Installing Feed Line Holder And Return Hose ('05-06 Models)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Install the feed line holder (D) on the front suspension subframe. Make sure that there is no interference between the feed and return lines and any other parts.
15. For '04 model, tighten the return line flare nut (A) to the specified torque. For '05-06 models, tighten the return line hose clamp (B).
    Fig 8: Tightening Return Line Flare Nut ('04 Model)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 9: Tightening Return Line Flare Nut ('05-06 Models)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Tighten the feed line flare nut (C) to the specified torque.
17. Install the P/S heat baffle plate (A).
    Fig 10: Installing P/S Heat Baffle Plate

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Raise the jack supporting front suspension subframe with special tool until the subframe is in position (see SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT ).
19. Install the front suspension subframe front bracket (A) with 12 mm flange bolts (B) and 14 mm special bolts (C), and tighten to the specified torque.
    Fig 11: Installing Front Suspension Subframe Front Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Install the front suspension subframe front bracket (A) with 12 mm flange bolts(B) and 14 mm special bolts (C), and tighten to the specified torque.
    Fig 12: Installing Front Suspension Subframe Front Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Install the front suspension subframe left mid mount (A).
    Fig 13: Installing Front Suspension Subframe Left Mid Mount

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Install the front suspension subframe right mid mount bolts (A).
    Fig 14: Installing Front Suspension Subframe Right Mid Mount Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Remove the front suspension subframe supporting special tool, and lower the jack.
24. Install the engine under cover (A).
    Fig 15: Installing Engine Under Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Install the splash shield (A).
    Fig 16: Installing Splash Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. Connect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
    Fig 17: Connecting PSP Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Wipe off any grease from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Then reconnect the tie-rod end (A) to the knuckle arms.
    Fig 18: Reconnecting Tie-Rod End To Knuckle Arms

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Install the tie-rod end ball joint nut, and tighten it to the specified torque. Then install the new cotter pin (B), and bend it as shown (C) or (D) in Fig 18.
29. Install the new cover seal (A) all the way around in the steering joint cover B. Make sure there are no wrinkles in the seal, then install the steering joint cover B.
    Fig 19: Installing Cover Seal

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Center the steering rack within its stroke.
31. Position the steering column joint (A) so the bolt (B) near to the notch (C) is within the range shown.
    Fig 20: Identifying Position Steering Column Joint

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. With the rack in the straight ahead driving position, cut the wire (D) and slip the lower end of the steering joint on to pinion shaft (E).
33. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, and loosely install the joint bolt (C). Make sure the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft. Pull on the steering joint to make sure the steering joint is fully seated.
    Fig 21: Aligning Bolt Hole On Steering Joint With Groove Around Pinion Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Tighten the steering joint bolt to the specified torque.
35. Install the steering joint cover A.
    Fig 22: Installing Steering Joint Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Install the front wheel, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.
37. Center the cable reel by first rotating it clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise (about three full turns) until the arrow mark on the label points straight up. Reinstall the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION ).
38. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
39. After installation, do the following checks.
    • Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to warm up to the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks (see FLUID LEAKAGE INSPECTION ).
    • Do the front toe inspection (see FRONT TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT ).
    • Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steeling wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/ pinion shaft serrations, and repeat step  37. Then adjust the front toe by turning the tie-rod ends, if necessary.
40. Install the right side engine component cover, passenger's and driver's cowl top extensions.