Tools Required

J 6627-A Tie Rod Puller

1. Turn the key to the LOCK position and remove the key.

Notice: The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the coil assembly in the steering column to become uncentered which will cause damage to the coil assembly.

2. Lock the steering column in the straight ahead position.
3. Attempt to turn the steering wheel in order to verify the steering column is locked.

Caution: When you are performing service on or near the SIR components or the SIR wiring, you must disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System. Failure to follow the correct procedure could cause air bag deployment, personal injury, or unnecessary SIR system repairs.

4. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in SIR.
5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
6. Remove the skid plate, if equipped. Refer to Skid Plate Replacement - Steering Linkage in Frame and Underbody.



7. Remove the left outer tie rod nut (1) from the knuckle (2).



8. Use the J 6627-A in order to remove the left outer tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2).
9. Remove the right outer tie rod nut from the knuckle.
10. Use the J 6627-A in order to remove the right outer tie rod end from the knuckle.
11. Place a drain pan or a suitable container under the steering gear.

Notice: Refer to Power Steering Hose Disconnected Notice in the Preface section.




12. Remove the power steering gear inlet hose fitting (5) from the power steering gear.
13. Remove the power steering gear inlet hose (6) and the 2 gaskets from the power steering gear.
14. Loosen the hose clamp (4) and remove the power steering fluid reservoir hose (3) from the steering gear.
15. Plug the power steering hoses in order to prevent the fluid from escaping.
16. Using paint, place match marks on the lower steering shaft (1) and on the steering gear housing.
17. Remove the clamp bolt (2) from the lower steering shaft.
18. Disconnect the lower steering shaft from the steering gear.



19. Using paint, place match marks (2,4) on the pinion shaft (3) and steering gear housing (1).




Important: Do NOT disassemble the power steering gear.

20. Remove the 4 steering gear mounting bolts (1).
21. Remove the steering gear with the insulators and the brackets from the vehicle.
22. Remove the 2 brackets from the steering gear.
23. Remove the 2 insulators from the steering gear.
24. Using paint, place match marks on the left inner tie rod thread and on the right inner tie rod thread indicating the positions of the tie rod lock nuts.
25. Loosen the 2 tie rod lock nuts and remove the 2 outer tie rod ends from the inner tie rods.

Important: If you are replacing the steering gear, measure the locations of the match marks on the original inner tie rods. Use these measurements in order to make corresponding marks on the replacement steering gear.




1. Using paint, place match marks (2) on the inner tie rods in order to position the 2 lock nuts during assembly.
2. Install the 2 tie rod lock nuts to the inner tie rods. Position the lock nuts at the match marks. DO NOT tighten the lock nuts.
3. Install the 2 outer tie rod ends to the inner tie rods. DO NOT tighten the outer tie rod ends or the lock nuts.




Important: If you are replacing the steering gear, measure the locations of the match marks on the pinion shaft and on the steering gear housing. Make corresponding marks on the replacement steering gear in order to set the rack in the straight ahead position.

4. Using paint, place match marks (2,4) on the pinion shaft (3) and on the steering gear housing (1).
5. Verify the steering wheel and the front wheels are in the straight ahead position.



6. Install the 2 insulators to the steering gear (3).
7. Install the 2 brackets to the 2 insulators.

Important: DO NOT tighten the bracket bolts before tightening the lower steering shaft clamp bolt.

8. Install the steering gear and the 4 bolts (1) to the vehicle.



9. Align the match mark (2) on the pinion shaft with the match mark (4) on the steering gear housing.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.




10. Connect the lower steering shaft (1) to the steering gear.
11. Install the clamp bolt (2) to the lower steering shaft.

Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).




12. Tighten the mounting bolts (1) on the steering gear.

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 55 N·m (40 lb ft).




13. Remove the plugs from the disconnected pipes and hoses (3,6).

Notice: Refer to Installing Hoses without Twists or Bends Notice in the Preface section.

14. Install the power steering fluid reservoir hose (3) and the hose clamp (4) to the steering gear.
15. Install the following to the steering gear:

•	The power steering gear inlet hose (6)

•	The 2 gaskets

•	The power steering gear inlet hose fitting (5)

16. Tighten the fitting.

Tighten
Tighten the fitting to 35 N·m (25.5 lb ft).




17. Install the left outer tie rod end (3) to the knuckle (2).
18. Install a NEW nut (1) to the ball stud.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 43 N·m (31.5 lb ft).

19. Install the right outer tie rod end to the knuckle.
20. Install a NEW nut to the ball stud.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 43 N·m (31.5 lb ft).

21. Install the skid plate, if equipped. Refer to Skid Plate Replacement - Steering Linkage in Frame and Underbody.
22. Lower the vehicle.

Notice: Refer to Using Proper Power Steering Fluid Notice in the Preface section.

23. Add fluid to the reservoir. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid .

Notice: Refer to Air in the Power Steering System Notice in the Preface section.

24. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding .
25. Enable the SIR. Refer to Enabling the SIR System in SIR.
26. Measure the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.
27. Adjust the front toe, if necessary. Refer to Front Toe Adjustment in Wheel Alignment.

Tighten
Tighten the tie rod lock nuts to 65 N·m (47 lb ft).