Steering gear — removal and installation
Warning: These models are equipped with airbags. Always disable the airbag system before working in the vicinity of any airbag system component to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbag(s), which could cause personal injury (see Chassis electrical system).
Removal
1. Remove the subframe (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
2. Mark the relationship of the steering intermediate shaft to the steering gear input shaft, then loosen the pinch bolt and detach the intermediate shaft.
3. Remove the steering gear mounting bolts/nuts and detach the steering gear from the subframe.
Note: Unscrew the bolts, not the nuts (the nuts have rotation-prevention tabs).
Installation
4. Installation is the reverse of removal, noting the following points:
- Make sure the steering gear is centered before installing it.
- When connecting the steering gear input shaft to the intermediate shaft U-joint, be sure to align the matchmarks.
- Tighten all suspension and steering fasteners to the torque values listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
- Tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.
- Set the front wheels in the straight-ahead position, then center the spiral cable and install the steering wheel and airbag module (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).