Steering Gearbox Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Honda Pilot, 2007 Honda Pilot, and 2006 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the steering gearbox and front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and bolt holes.
Install the pinion shaft grommet (A) on the valve housing.
NOTE: If the return line (B) was removed previously, install it.

Fig 1: Pinion Shaft Grommet And Return Line With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the front suspension subframe and body from the driver's side. Place the gearbox in position on the front suspension subframe.

Fig 2: Sliding Steering Gearbox Into Chassis
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) on the front suspension subframe, and tighten the bolts and nut to the specified torque.

Fig 3: Gearbox Stiffener Bracket With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Loosely install the new 10 mm flange bolts on the left side of the gearbox.

Fig 4: Gearbox Flange Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the mounting cushion (A) on the right side of the gearbox.

Fig 5: Gearbox Mounting Cushion With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the gearbox mounting bracket (B) over the mounting cushion, then install the two 10 mm flange bolts (C). Tighten the four 10 mm flange bolts for the gearbox to the specified torque.
Connect the return hose (A) securely, and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (B) (see POWER STEERING HOSE, LINE, AND PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACEMENT ).

Fig 6: Return Hose And Adjustable Hose Clamp With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Connect the inlet line (C), and tighten the 14 mm flare nut (D) to the specified torque.
Carefully raise the front suspension subframe with the front subframe adapter and the transmission jack or the powertrain lift until the subframe is in position (see FRONT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT ).
Install the P/S line mounting brackets (A) on the front suspension subframe and gearbox mounting bracket.
4WD model:

Fig 7: P/S Line Mounting Brackets, Inlet Line And Flare Nut With Torque Specifications - 4WD Model
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2WD model:

Fig 8: P/S Line Mounting Brackets, Inlet Line And Flare Nut With Torque Specifications - 2WD Model
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the front suspension subframe rear brackets (A). Tighten the 12 mm flange bolts (B) and new 14 mm special bolts (C) on the right and left of the vehicle to the specified torque. Then install the subframe bolt retainers (D). Tighten the two flange bolts (E) and nuts (F) to the specified torque.

Fig 9: Subframe Bolt Retainers And Rear Brackets With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the front suspension subframe front brackets (A) with 12 mm flange bolts (B) and new 14 mm special bolts (C), and tighten to the specified torque.

Fig 10: Front Suspension Subframe Front Brackets And Flange Bolts With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Lower the front suspension subframe support that is attached to the transmission jack or the powertrain lift.
Install the splash shield (A).

Fig 11: Identifying Splash Shield
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4WD model: Install the propeller shaft protector (A).

Fig 12: Propeller Shaft Protector With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Connect the power steering pressure switch connector (A).

Fig 13: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch And Connector
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Connect the under floor three-way catalytic converter (A) to the muffler (B). Install the new 10 mm self-locking nuts and tighten them to the specified torque.

Fig 14: Three-Way Catalytic Converter And Fasteners With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the exhaust rubber mount (A) on the frame.

Fig 15: Exhaust Rubber Mount And Fasteners With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the front suspension subframe stiffener plate (A) with new mounting bolts (B), and tighten to the specified torque.

Fig 16: Front Suspension Subframe Stiffener Plate And Fasteners With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the 10 mm flange bolts on the engine side mount bracket (A).

Fig 17: Engine Side Mount Bracket And Fasteners With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Connect the pump outlet hose (A) to the power steering pump, and install the inlet hose clamp (B).

Fig 18: Pump Outlet Hose And Inlet Hose Clamp With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Reconnect the tie rod ball joints (A) to the knuckles. Install the 12 mm nut (B) and tighten it to the specified torque.

Fig 19: Tie Rod Ball Joint And Nut With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the new cotter pin (C) and bend it as shown.
Remove the engine support hanger, the hanger balance bar, and the hanger adapter set.
Center the steering rack within its stroke.
Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering shaft (A) (line up the bolt hole (B) with the flat portion (C) on the shaft), and loosely install the upper joint bolt.

Fig 20: Inserting Upper End Of Steering Joint Onto Steering Shaft
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle.
Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft then loosely install the lower joint bolt (C).

Fig 21: Bolt Hole, Groove And Lower Joint Bolt With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.
Tighten the upper joint bolt (D) to the specified torque.
Install the steering joint cover (A) with the clamps (B) and clips (C).

Fig 22: Identifying Steering Joint Cover, Clamps And Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the front wheel, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.
NOTE: Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
Install the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION ).
Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery, and do these tasks:
- Do the power window control unit reset procedure (see RESETTING THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT ).
- Enter the anti-theft codes for the audio system or the navigation system (if equipped), then enter the customer's audio preset.
- Set the clock (without navigation).
- Make sure the steering wheel is centered.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.
Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
After installation, do these checks.
- Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks (see FLUID LEAKAGE INSPECTION ).
- Do the front toe inspection (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).
- Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft serrations, then adjust the front toe by turning the tie-rod ends, if necessary.