Removal and Installation

RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY
Removal Procedure
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.





2. Disconnect the inner tie rods from the rack and pinion assembly by removing the lock plate, the inner tie rod bolts, and the inner tie rod plate. Do not reuse the lock plate.





3. Position the steering gear straight ahead by turning the steering wheel until the spokes are centered diagonally and pointing downward.
4. Loosen the top pinch bolt on the coupling flange.





5. For left-hand drive vehicles, disconnect the coolant surge tank from the vehicle by removing the attaching nuts. Without disconnecting the hoses, move the tank out of the repair area.





6. Disconnect the steering gear retaining bracket nuts from the bottom of each steering gear retaining bracket. Disconnect the steering gear retaining bracket nuts and bolts from the top of each steering gear retaining bracket.
7. Remove the left inner and outer tie rod from the vehicle.
8. Remove the rack and pinion assembly through the front wheel opening.
9. If the studs were removed with the mounting clamps, reinstall the studs into the cowl.
Tighten the steering gear retaining bracket studs to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).

Installation Procedure
1. Install the rack and pinion steering gear assembly through the front wheel opening. The steering gear must be in a straight-ahead position. The steering wheel spokes must be centered diagonally and point downwards.





2. Connect the steering gear assembly to the body with two mounting brackets. Loosely attach all the steering gear retaining bracket nuts and bolts.

Important: Be sure the center housing cover washers are located between the tie rods and the steering gear. Always use a new lock plate.





3. Connect both tie rods to the steering gear by threading the inner tie rod bolts through the inner tie rod plate, the tie rods, and the center housing cover washers into the rack guide. Install a new lock plate.
Tighten the inner tie rod bolts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).





4. Seat the dash seal and attach the coupling flange to the steering gear. Secure the coupling flange assembly with the top pinch bolt on the coupling flange assembly.
Tighten the coupling flange pinch bolt to 22 Nm (16 ft. lbs.).





5. Tighten all the steering gear retaining bracket nuts and bolts.
Tighten the steering gear retaining bracket nuts and bolts to 38 Nm (28 ft. lbs.).
6. Check that the steering gear has remained in the straight-ahead position.
7. Connect negative battery cable.
8. For left-hand drive vehicles, reconnect the coolant surge tank with the attaching nuts.
Tighten the coolant surge tank attaching nuts to 4 Nm (35 inch lbs.).