Steering Gear Replacement LE8 and LE9

Special Tools

J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller

Caution: Secure the steering wheel utilizing 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

•	The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position and lock it in place.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.



3. Remove both rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts and discard them.




Note: Do not attempt to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends using a wedge type tool.

4. Use the J 24319-B Puller in order to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.



5. Remove the intermediate steering shaft bolt at the steering gear and discard it.
6. Separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
7. Remove the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the automatic transaxle.



8. Remove the steering gear bolts.
9. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.

1. Position the steering gear in the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




2. Install the steering gear bolts and tighten to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).
3. Install the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the automatic transaxle.



4. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear.
5. Install a new intermediate steering shaft bolt and tighten to 34 N·m (25 lb ft).



6. Install the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends to the steering knuckles.
7. Install new rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts and tighten to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
8. Tighten the outer tie rod end nuts an additional 90 degrees.
9. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
10. Adjust the front toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment.
11. If equipped with RPO JL4, calibrate the steering angle sensor. Refer to Control Module References.

Steering Gear Replacement LNF

Special Tools

J 24319-B Steering Linkage and Tie Rod Puller

Caution: Secure the steering wheel utilizing 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

•	The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position and lock it in place.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.



3. Remove both rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts and discard them.




Note: Do not attempt to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends using a wedge type tool.

4. Use the J 24319-B Puller in order to separate the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.



5. Remove the intermediate steering shaft bolt at the steering gear and discard it.
6. Separate the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear.
7. Remove the catalytic convertor. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement.
8. Remove the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the automatic transaxle.



9. Remove the steering gear bolts.
10. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.

1. Position the steering gear in the vehicle through the left wheelhouse opening.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




2. Install the steering gear bolts and tighten to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).
3. Install the transmission rear mount. Refer to Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the manual transaxle and Transmission Rear Mount Replacement for the automatic transaxle.
4. Install the catalytic convertor. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement.



5. Connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear.
6. Install a new intermediate steering shaft bolt and tighten to 34 N·m (25 lb ft).



7. Install the rack and pinion outer tie rod ends to the steering knuckles.
8. Install new rack and pinion outer tie rod end nuts and tighten to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
9. Tighten the outer tie rod end nuts an additional 90 degrees.
10. Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
11. Adjust the front toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment.
12. If equipped with RPO JL4, calibrate the steering angle sensor. Refer to Control Module References.