Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
• Subframe adapter VSB02C000016

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 (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

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
6. Remove the steering joint bolts, disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (A) toward the column.
   Fig 2: Disconnecting Steering Joint By Moving Steering Joint Toward Column

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the 12 mm nut (B), and loosen the nut.
   Fig 3: Removing Cotter Pin

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
9. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts of the exhaust rubber mount (A).
   Fig 4: Removing Flange Bolts Of Exhaust Rubber Mount

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
10. Remove the three self-locking nuts, and disconnect the three way catalytic converter (TWC) (A) from the muffler (B).
    Fig 5: Disconnecting TWC Converter

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11. Remove exhaust pipe A.
    Fig 6: Removing Exhaust Pipe A

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12. Disconnect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
    Fig 7: Disconnecting PSP Switch Connector

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13. Remove the front splash shield (A) (see FRONT SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 8: Removing Front Splash Shield

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14. Attach the special tool to the front subframe (A) by hanging the hook of the special tool over the front of the subframe, then tighten the special tool screw.
    Fig 9: Attaching Special Tool To Front Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Raise the jack (B) and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach them with bolts securely.
16. Loosen the front subframe front bracket (A) mounting bolts on the right and left of the vehicle so they are about 30 mm (1 3/16 in.) from the mounting surface.
    Fig 10: Loosening Front Subframe Front Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Support the front subframe securely by raising the special tool, then remove the two 12 mm flange bolts (A).
    Fig 11: Removing Subframe Rear Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Remove the two 14 mm special bolts (B) and front subframe rear brackets (C) from the front subframe.
19. Lower the jack supporting the front subframe with the special tool slowly until the front subframe has dropped about 50 mm (1 15/16 in.).
20. Remove the P/S line mounting brackets (A) from the front subframe and gearbox mounting bracket.
    Fig 12: Removing P/S Line Mounting Brackets

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21. Loosen the 16 mm flare nut (A), and disconnect the feed line (B).
    Fig 13: Disconnecting Feed Line

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22. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (A) and disconnect the return hose (B).
    Fig 14: Disconnecting Return Hose

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23. Remove the P/S heat baffle plate (A).
    Fig 15: Removing P/S Heat Baffle Plate

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24. 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 16: Removing Mounting Bracket And Cushion

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the two 10 mm flange bolts and nuts from the left side of the gearbox.
    Fig 17: Removing Flange Bolts And Nuts From Left Side Of Gearbox

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26. Loosen the steering gearbox bracket mounting bolts (A).
    Fig 18: Loosening Steering Gearbox Bracket Mounting Bolts

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    EX-L, EX-L Touring models 

27. Remove the rear mount stop (A), then remove the rear mount bolt (B).
    Fig 19: Removing Rear Mount Bolt

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28. Remove the rear mount (A) from the base bracket (B), and disconnect the connector (C).
    Fig 20: Removing Rear Mount From Base Bracket

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29. Remove the base bracket (A) from the front subframe (B).
    Fig 21: Removing Base Bracket

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    VAN, LX, EX models 

30. Remove the rear mount bracket bolt (A).
    Fig 22: Removing Rear Mount Bracket Bolt

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31. Remove the rear mount bracket (A) from the front subframe (B).
    Fig 23: Removing Rear Mount Bracket

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32. Disconnect the return hose clip (A).
    Fig 24: Disconnecting Return Hose Clip

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33. Move the steering gearbox to the driver's side, and rotate it so the pinion shaft points toward the front of the vehicle.
34. Carefully move the steering gearbox as an assembly toward the left side of the vehicle until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening. Be careful not to damage the brake lines with the pinion shaft.
    Fig 25: Moving Steering Gearbox Toward Left Side Of Vehicle Until Pinion Shaft Clears Wheelwell Opening

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35. Remove the steering gearbox through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.
    Fig 26: Removing Steering Gearbox Through Wheelwell Opening

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36. Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the steering joint cover B.
    Fig 27: Removing Pinion Shaft Grommet From Steering Joint Cover B

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
37. 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.