Steering Rack (LHD RWD) (1st Generation) - Remove And Replace: Removal
- Center the steering wheel, and then hold the steering wheel in place with the steering holder.
- Remove the rear underhood apron. See Underhood Apron - Rear (Remove and Replace) .
- Remove the LH and RH underhood aprons. See Underhood Apron - LH (Remove and Replace) .
- Remove the underhood storage carpet. See Carpet - Underhood Storage (Remove and Install) .
- Remove the underhood storage unit. See Underhood Storage Unit (Remove and Install) .
- Disconnect 12V power. See Disconnect 12V Power .
- Disconnect the steering rack electrical connector (x2).
- Release the clips (x2) that attach the front harness to the vehicle, and move the front harness aside.
- Disconnect the chiller bypass 3-way coolant valve electrical connector, and then move the harness aside.
- Disconnect the 4 way coolant valve electrical connector.
- Remove and discard the bolt that attaches lower steering column intermediate shaft to the steering rack input shaft, and then slid off the steering rack input shaft.
- Release the clips (x2) that attach the coolant hoses to the LH front subframe brace.
- Remove the upper bolt from the LH front subframe brace.
- Remove the LH and RH front wheels. See Wheel (Remove and Install) .
- Fully raise and support the vehicle on a 2 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift .
- Remove the front aero shield panel. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Remove and Replace) .
- Remove the bolts (x2) attach the LH subframe brace to the body, and then remove the brace from the vehicle.NOTE: Slide the LH subframe brace out from in between the front subframe.
- Loosen the jam nut that attaches the LH tie rod.
- Partially lower the vehicle.
- Remove and discard the nut that attaches the tie rod end to the LH front knuckle.CAUTION: Prevent ball joint damage by holding the ball joint pin with another wrench to counterforce the tie rod end nut.
- Loosen the LH outer tie rod, and then remove the outer tie rod from the steering rack.NOTE: Record the number of turns it takes to remove the outer tie rod end from the steering rack to ease reinstallation.
- Remove the LH jam nut from the steering rack.
- Remove the clamp that attaches the outer side of the bellows to the LH inner tie rod using the combination slip joint pliers.
Tip: Note the clamp orientation for installation later in this procedure.
- Remove the clamp that attaches the inner side of the bellows to the LH inner tie rod using a small flat head screwdriver.NOTE: Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the clamp off the retaining tab.
- Remove the bellows from the LH inner tie rod.
- Install the steering gear clamp tool, crowfoot socket, and the anti-rotation device tool on the LH inner tie rod.
- Loosen the LH inner tie rod while holding the inner gear to prevent it from rotating.CAUTION: Failure to hold the inner gear may result in damage to the steering rack assembly.
- Remove the LH inner tie rod from the steering rack.
- Remove and discard the RH nyloc nut that attaches the RH tie rod end to the steering knuckle, and then disconnect the tie rod from the steering knuckle.CAUTION: Prevent ball joint damage by holding the ball joint pin with another wrench to counterforce the tie rod end nut.
- Partially lower the vehicle.
- Remove and discard the bolts (x2) that attach the steering rack to the front subframe.NOTE: If a washer was also installed between the steering rack bolt(s) and the front subframe, keep the washer(s) because it will be reinstalled during the installation process.
- Carefully lift up the LH side of the steering rack, and then remove the steering rack from the vehicle.