Steering Gearbox Removal and Installation
Special Tools Required
Image Description/Tool Number
8616757.png Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00202
609765.png Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
310292.png Subframe Adapter VSB02C000016*
*Available through the Honda Tool and Equipment Program 888-424-6857

NOTE:
Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox. Avoid any electrical parts. Blow dry with compressed air.
Lower the front subframe from the body, and remove the steering gearbox through the gap produced by lowering the front subframe.

4. Steering Wheel - Hold
1.
Center the steering wheel spoke angle.
2.
Install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).

5. Steering Joint Cover - Remove

6. Steering Column Lower Slide Shaft - Hold
1.
Set the steering column to the center tilt position, and to the center telescopic position.
2.
Hold the lower slide shaft (A) on the column with a piece of wire (B) between the joint yoke (C) of the lower slide shaft and the joint yoke (D) of the upper shaft to prevent the lower slide shaft from pulling out.

7. Steering Joint - Disconnect
1.
Remove the steering joint bolt (A).
2.
Disconnect the steering joint (B) from the pinion shaft.
3.
Remove the center guide (C) and discard it.
4.
Wrap vinyl tape to the splines on the pinion shaft.

8. Tie-Rod End Ball Joint - Disconnect
1.
Remove the cotter pin (A).
2.
Remove the nut (B).
3.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the ball joint remover.

14. Connectors (EPS) - Disconnect
1.
Disconnect the connector (A) by pushing the lock (B), and pulling up the lever (C).
2.
Disconnect the connectors (D).
3.
Remove the harness clip (E).

15. Steering Gearbox Stiffener - Remove

Left side

Right side

16. Front Subframe - Support
1.
Attach the subframe adapter to the front subframe by looping the strap (A) over the front of the front subframe (B), then secure the strap with stop (C), then tighten the wing nut (D).
2.
Raise the transmission jack and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then tighten the bolts.

17. Lower Torque Rod - Remove
1.
Remove the lower torque rod mounting bolts (A).

18. Front Subframe - Lift Down
1.
Remove the mid mounting bolt (A) on both sides.
2.
Loosen the front subframe mounting bolt (A) so they are about 30 mm (1.18 in) from the mounting surface on both sides.
NOTE: Do not loosen the front subframe mounting bolts more than necessary.
3.
Remove the front subframe mounting bolts (A) on both sides.
4.
Lower the jack slowly until the front subframe has dropped about 130 mm (5.12 in).

19. Pinion Shaft Grommet - Remove
1.
Remove the pinion shaft grommet (A).
2.
Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft (B).

20. Steering Gearbox - Remove
1.
Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) so that the pinion shaft (B) turns to the rearward.
2.
Remove the steering gearbox through the wheelwell opening.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the steering gearbox boot and the pinion shaft.

21. Power Steering Heat Shield - Remove


NOTE: Using clean solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the end of the steering gearbox. Avoid any electrical parts. Blow dry with compressed air.

1. Power Steering Heat Shield - Remove

2. Steering Gearbox - Install


1.
Apply vinyl tape to the splines on the pinion shaft (A).
2.
Slide the steering gearbox (B) between the front subframe and body.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the steering gearbox boot and the pinion shaft.
3.
Install the steering gearbox until the steering gearbox is in position.

3. Pinion Shaft Grommet - Install
1.
Remove the vinyl tape (A) from pinion shaft.
2.
Install the pinion shaft grommet (B).
3.
Align the lug portion (C) in the pinion shaft grommet with the cutout portion (D) on the steering gearbox.

4. Front Subframe - Move
1.
Turn the lip (A) of the pinion shaft grommet.
2.
Raise the front subframe (B) up to the body, then restore the pinion shaft grommet back to proper position.
NOTE: Be sure that the pinion shaft grommet is secure in place. Make sure the lip of the pinion shaft grommet is not turned up. Incorrect installation can cause leakage of water and mud, or noise.

5. Front Subframe Mounting Bolt - Loosely Install
1.
Loosely install a new front subframe mounting bolts (A) on both sides.
2.
Loosely install a new mid mounting bolt (A) on both sides.

7. Lower Torque Rod - Connect
1.
Loosely install new lower torque rod mounting bolts (A).
2.
Loosen the lower torque rod mounting bolt (A) to the subframe side.
3.
Tighten the lower torque rod mounting bolts (A) to the oil pan side.
4.
Tighten the lower torque rod mounting bolt (B) to the subframe side.

8. Steering Gearbox Stiffener - Install

Left side

Right side
1.
Install the steering gearbox stiffeners (A).
2.
Loosely tighten new steering gearbox mounting bolts on both sides (B).
3.
Loosely tighten new stiffener mounting bolts (C).
4.
Tighten the steering gearbox mounting bolts and the stiffener mounting bolts to the specified torque in the sequence shown.

9. Connectors - Connect
1.
Install the harness clip (A).
2.
Connect the connector (B), then pulling down the lever (C), and confirm the connector is fully seated.
3.
Connect the connectors (D).

15. Tie-Rod End Ball Joint - Connect
1.
Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads.

2.
Connect the tie-rod ball joint (A) to the knuckle.

3.
Install the nut (B).
4.
Install a new cotter pin (C).
NOTE: Bend the cotter pin as shown.

16. Steering Column Lower Slide Shaft - Release
1.
Cut the wire (A).

17. Steering Wheel - Release


18. Steering Joint - Connect
1.
Set the rack in the straight ahead driving position.
2.
Slip the lower end of the steering joint (A) onto the pinion shaft (B).
NOTE: Position the steering column by aligning the gap (C) within the angle.
3.
Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft.
4.
Loosely install the steering joint bolt (C).
5.
Be sure that the joint bolt is secure in the groove in the pinion shaft.
6.
Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated.
7.
Tighten the steering joint bolt to the specified torque.

19. Steering Joint Cover - Install

22. Steering Gearbox - After Install Symptom Check
1.
With the tires raised off the ground, check for the following symptoms by turning the steering wheel fully to the right and left several times.
Symptom
Probable cause
Rubbing sound coming from the lower steering column area.
Steering column joint is contacting the cover.
Noise from the lower steering column area, or a rough feeling during steering.
Poor engagement of the pinion shaft serrations.
Noise from around the steering wheel during steering.
Poor engagement of the SRS cable reel with the steering wheel, or a damaged cable reel.

23. Steering Gearbox After Install - Check
1.
After installation, check these items:
Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times.
Check that the EPS indicator does not come on.
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 splines.