Steering Gear Replacement (M7W)
Steering Gear Replacement (LTG, M7W)
Removal Procedure
Caution:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:
* Touch a metal ground point in order to remove your body's static charge before servicing any electronic component; especially after sliding across the vehicle seat.
* Do not touch exposed terminals. Terminals may connect to circuits susceptible the ESD damage.
* Do not allow tools to contact exposed terminals when servicing connectors.
* Do not remove components from their protective packaging until required to do so.
* Avoid the following actions unless required by the diagnostic procedure:
- Jumpering or grounding of the components or connectors.
- Connecting test equipment probes to components or connectors. Connect the ground lead first when using test probes.
* Ground the protective packaging of any component before opening. Do not rest solid-state components on metal workbenches, or on top of TVs, radios, or other electrical devices.
Caution: With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
* The steering column
* The intermediate shaft(s)
* The steering gear
After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has become un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.
1. Lock the steering column in the straight-ahead position.
2. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear and remove the front dash seal from the steering gear input shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.
3. Install the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture Engine Support Fixture.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.
5. Disconnect the steering linkage outer tie rods from the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
6. Disconnect the stabilizer shaft links from the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement Front Suspension.
7. Disconnect the lower control arms from the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.
8. Remove the steering gear heat shield. Refer to Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement.
9. Disconnect the electrical connector on the steering gear and disconnect the wiring harness clip from the steering gear housing.
Note: Wiring harness routing is critical. Note the exact routing of the steering gear wiring harness before repositioning it.
10. Remove the wiring harness bracket bolts from the steering gear. Leave the bracket attached to the wiring harness and position it out of the way.
11. Remove the through bolts for the front and rear transmission mounts. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Replacement.
12. Position adjustable jackstands underneath the left and right sides of the rear of the drivetrain and front suspension frame.
13. Lower the vehicle until the drivetrain and front suspension frame is resting lightly on the jackstands.
14. Remove the exhaust front pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LUK) Service and RepairExhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LCV) Service and RepairExhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LTG) Service and Repair.
15. Loosen the drivetrain and front suspension frame front bolts. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement Service and Repair.
16. Raise the vehicle while the drivetrain and front suspension frame rests on the jackstands. Do not allow the gap between the body and rear of the frame to exceed a maximum of 50 mm (2 in).
17. Finish removing the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Front Suspension.
18. Remove the steering gear nuts (1), washers (2) and bolts (3) from the steering gear (4). Discard the nuts and bolts.
19. Remove the steering gear (4) from the left side of the vehicle.
20. Transfer components as necessary.
Installation Procedure
1. Position the steering gear (4) on the front suspension frame through the left side of the vehicle.
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.
Caution: This vehicle is equipped with torque-to-yield or single use fasteners. Install a NEW torque-to-yield or single use fastener when installing this component. Failure to replace the torque-to-yield or single use fastener could cause damage to the vehicle or component.
Note: Start all bolts by hand before tightening.
2. Install the NEW steering gear bolts (3), washers (2) and NEW nuts (1) and tighten the bolts (3) to 110 Nm (81 lb ft) + 150 degrees.
3. Install the stabilizer shaft onto the drivetrain and front suspension frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement Front Suspension.
4. Lower the vehicle until the gap between the drivetrain and front suspension frame and body is approximately 12 mm (0.5 in).
5. Install the exhaust front pipe. Refer to Exhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LUK) Service and RepairExhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LCV) Service and RepairExhaust Front Pipe Replacement (LTG) Service and Repair.
6. Tighten the drivetrain and front suspension frame front bolts. Refer to Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Replacement Service and Repair.
7. Remove the jackstands from underneath the vehicle.
8. Install the through bolts for the front and rear transmission mounts. Refer to Transmission Front Mount Replacement Transmission Front Mount Replacement and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement Transmission Rear Mount Replacement.
Note: Wiring harness routing is critical. When installing, route the wiring harness in the exact same location it was moved from during the removal procedure.
9. Route the steering gear wiring harness in the position it was in before removal.
10. Tighten the steering gear wiring harness bracket bolts to 9 Nm (80 lb in).
11. Connect the electrical connector on the steering gear and connect the wiring harness clip on the steering gear housing.
12. Install the steering gear heat shield. Refer to Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement Steering Gear Heat Shield Replacement.
13. Connect the lower control arms to the steering knuckles. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement Front Suspension.
14. Connect the stabilizer shaft links to the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement Front Suspension.
15. Connect the steering linkage outer tie rods to the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement.
16. Remove the engine support fixture. Refer to Engine Support Fixture Engine Support Fixture.
17. Install the front dash seal on the steering gear input shaft and connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement.
18. Program the power steering control module. Refer to Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup.
19. Measure and adjust the front toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment.