Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required 

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00200

Note these items during removal:

• Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, its lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
• Make 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/install the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.
  1. Drain the power steering fluid (see step 1 on FLUID REPLACEMENT  ).
  2. Record the customer's radio station preset's, then disconnect the battery cable.
  3. Remove the driver's airbag assembly. For 2004 models, see AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS . For 2003 models, see AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
  4. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL  ).
  5. Remove the steering joint cover (A).
     Fig 1: Removing The 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: Removing The Steering Joint Bolts

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Disconnect the pump outlet hose (A) from the power steering pump, and remove the hose clamp (B).
     Fig 3: Disconnecting The Pump Outlet Hose

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  8. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts on the engine side mount bracket (A).
     Fig 4: Removing The 10 Mm Flange Bolts On The Engine Side Mount Bracket

     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  9. Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.
  10. Remove the front wheels.
  11. Remove and discard the cotter pin (A) from the 12 mm nut (B), then loosen the nut.
      Fig 5: Loosening Tie Rod End Nut

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  12. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool (see BALL JOINT ).
  13. Remove the front suspension subframe stiffener.
      Fig 6: Removing The Front Suspension Subframe Stiffener

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  14. Disconnect the secondary heated oxygen sensor (secondary HO2S) connector (A) from the engine compartment.
      Fig 7: Disconnecting The Secondary Heated Oxygen Sensor

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  15. Remove the three self-locking nuts, and disconnect the three way catalytic converter (TWC) (A) and mufflers (B) (see EXHAUST PIPE & MUFFLER REPLACEMENT ).
      Fig 8: Removing Self-Locking Exhaust System Nuts

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  16. Remove the 10 mm flange bolts of the exhaust rubber mount (A).
      Fig 9: Removing The 10 Mm Flange Bolts Of The Exhaust Rubber Mount

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  17. Disconnect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
      Fig 10: Disconnecting The Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

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  18. Remove the propeller shaft protector.
      Fig 11: Removing The Propeller Shaft Protector

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  19. Remove the splash shield.
      Fig 12: Removing The Splash Shield

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  20. 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 13: Placing A Jack Under The Front Tube Of The Front Suspension Subframe & Placing A Transmission Jack Under The Center Of The Transfer Case

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  21. Loosen the two 14 mm flange bolts (A) on the front suspension subframe so they are about 30 mm (1 3/16") from the mounting surface. Do not loosen the 14 mm flange bolts more than necessary.
      Fig 14: Loosening The 14 Mm Flange Bolts On The Front Suspension Subframe

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  22. Remove the four 12 mm flange bolts from the front suspension subframe front bracket (A).
      Fig 15: Removing The 12 Mm Flange Bolts From The Front Suspension Subframe Front Bracket

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  23. Support the transfer case securely by raising the transmission jack, then remove the two 12 mm flange bolts (A).
      Fig 16: Removing The 12 Mm Flange Bolts

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  24. Remove the two 14 mm special bolts (B) and front suspension subframe rear bracket (C) from the front suspension subframe.
  25. Lower the transmission jack slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped about 50 mm (1 15/16").
      Fig 17: Lowering The Transmission Jack

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  26. Remove the P/S line mounting brackets (A) from the front suspension subframe and gearbox mounting bracket.
      Fig 18: Removing The P/S Line Mounting Brackets

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  27. Loosen the 14 mm flare nut (A), and disconnect the feed line (B).
      Fig 19: Loosening The 14 Mm Flare Nut & Disconnecting The Feed Line

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  28. Loosen the adjustable hose clamp (C) and disconnect the return hose (D).
  29. Remove the two 10 mm flange bolts from the right side of the gearbox, then remove the mounting bracket (A) and cushion (B).
      Fig 20: Removing The Mounting Bracket & Cushion

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  30. Remove the two 10 mm flange bolts from the left side of the gearbox.
      Fig 21: Removing The 10 Mm Flange Bolts From The Left Side Of The Gearbox

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  31. Lower the transmission jack slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped 100 mm (3 15/1") total.
      Fig 22: Lowering The Transmission Jack

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  32. Remove the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) from the left side of the front suspension subframe.
      Fig 23: Removing The Gearbox Stiffener Bracket From The Left Side Of The Front Suspension Subframe

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  33. Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the body and front suspension subframe toward the left, and remove the steering gearbox.
      Fig 24: Removing The Steering Gearbox

      Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.