Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

WARNING
If equipped, always turn off the Automatic Ride Control (ARC) service switch before lifting the vehicle off of the ground. Failure to do so could damage the ARC system components.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle, block the rear wheels and apply the parking brake.
3. Start the engine then rotate the steering wheel from lock-to-lock and record the number of rotations.
4. Divide the number of rotations by 2. This gives the number of rotations to achieve true center of the steering. Turn the wheel in one direction to the full lock.
5. Turn the wheel in the opposite direction the number of turns equal to true steering (lock-to-lock number divided by 2).

   WARNING
   Do not rotate the steering wheel when the shaft is disconnected from the steering gear as damage to the clock spring could occur.

6. Drain the power steering fluid reservoir.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Bolt retaining the lower steering column shaft to the steering gear input shaft
   • Stabilizer bar
   • Quick-connect fittings for the power steering pressure and return hoses at the steering gear housing
   • Nuts securing the power steering cooler and remove the cooler
   • Outer tie rod ends
   • Nuts, bolts and washer assemblies retaining the steering gear housing to the front crossmember
   • Steering gear from the vehicle

   To install:

8. Install or connect the following:
   • Position the steering gear to the front crossmember and install the nuts, bolts and washer assemblies. Torque to 94–127 ft. lbs. (128–172 Nm).
   • Power steering cooler retaining bolts
   • Power steering lines to the steering gear housing and torque the fittings to 20–25 ft. lbs. (27–34 Nm).
   • Outer tie rod ends and ensure that the steering shaft or gear input shaft has not been rotated
   • Intermediate shaft-to-steering input shaft retaining (pinch) bolt and torque the bolt to 30–42 ft. lbs. (41–56 Nm)
   • Negative battery cable
9. Fill the power steering pump reservoir.
10. Bleed the air from the power steering system.
11. Ensure that there are no leaks and the fluid is maintained at the proper level.
12. Check the alignment.