Installation Procedure
- Install a NEW power steering assist motor seal (1) on the power steering assist motor.
After the seal is in place, apply a thin layer of grease on the seal.
- It may be necessary to turn the steering wheel half a turn in both directions while installing the power steering assist motor for the steering gear belt to completely mesh with the steering gear.
- If the power steering assist motor is installed at an angle to the steering gear housing or misaligned then the proper belt tension will NOT be achieved. After alignment and installation, ensure the assist motor is completely flush with the steering gear housing and no gaps are present.
- Install the power steering assist motor (1) into the steering gear while positioning the steering gear belt onto the assist motor pulley.
- Turn the power steering assist motor clockwise to apply a small amount of tension to the steering gear belt and install the NEW power steering assist motor bolts (1) in small, equal increments until all the bolts are tightened by hand.
Ensure there are no gaps between the assist motor and the steering gear housing.
- Turn the steering wheel half a turn in both directions to seat the steering gear belt.
- Use a torque wrench and crow foot wrench to turn the power steering assist motor housing flat (1) and rotate the assist motor clockwise to 10 (89 lb in).
- Tighten the power steering assist motor pivot bolt (2) to 10 (89 lb in).
- Place the body of the GE-50576-A
tension tester (1) on a flat surface or secure it to the steering gear housing.
NEVER hold the tester by hand while taking measurements or the readings will be inaccurate.
- Position the microphone of the GE-50576-A tension tester in the steering gear belt access hole approximately 6 mm (0.25 in) (a) from the steering gear belt (1).
- Use an allen wrench or finger to strum the steering gear belt (1) at the center location between the two pulleys three times to get an average belt tension reading.
- If the average steering gear belt tension reading is between 235 Hz-275 Hz, tighten all the power steering assist motor bolts to 10 (89 lb in) and continue with the procedure.
- If the average steering gear belt tension reading is above or below 235 Hz-275 Hz, perform the following steps:
- Loosen the assist motor pivot bolt and rotate the assist motor clockwise to increase the tension or counterclockwise to reduce the tension on the belt.
- Tighten the assist motor pivot bolt to 10 (89 lb in) and test the average belt tension three times.
- If the average belt tension reading is between 235 Hz-275 Hz, tighten all the assist motor bolts to 10 (89 lb in).
- Continue the process until the average belt tension reading is between 235 Hz-275 Hz. Once the correct tension is achieved, tighten all the assist motor bolts to 10 (89 lb in) and continue with the procedure.
- Remove the GE-50576-A tension tester.
- Screw the steering gear belt access plug (1) into the steering gear housing until snug.
- Connect the wiring harness connectors (1) and extension harness connector (2) to the power steering assist motor.
- Mark the position and orientation of each old harness retainer on the wiring harness and extension harness and replace them with NEW harness retainers (2).
- Install the wiring harness and extension harness retainers (2) in the steering gear.
- Install and tighten the extension harness ground bolt (1) to 6 (53 lb in).
- Install Steering Gear Skid Shield Steering Gear Skid Shield Replacement
- Program the power steering control module. Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup
Ensure that the belt is completely installed on to the power steering assist motor pulley. Misalignment of the belt on the pulley will damage the belt and the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear will need to be replaced.
When tightening the NEW power steering assist motor bolts, ensure the assist motor is completely flush with the steering gear housing and no gaps are present.
Refer to Fastener Caution .
Never use a sharp object to strum the belt as belt damage may occur. If the belt is damaged, the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear will need to be replaced.
Strum the steering gear belt as close as possible to the center position between the two steering gear pulleys to achieve the most accurate readings.
The wiring harness connectors and extension harness connector should engage smoothly when connected. Do NOT force the connectors onto the power steering assist motor.
Once the wiring harness and extension harness are removed, the harness retainers CANNOT be reused. Use NEW harness retainers only and place the NEW harness retainers in the same position and orientation as the old harness retainers. A NEW harness will come with NEW harness retainers already in place.