Removal Procedure
Caution: Failure to disconnect intermediate shaft from rack and pinion stub shaft
can result in damage to steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage
can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires
and Wheels.
- Move the steering shaft dust seal in order to gain access to the
pinch bolt.
- Remove the pinch bolt from the lower intermediate steering shaft.
Refer to
Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering Wheel And Column.
- Loosen all insulator clamp attaching nuts and bolts.
- Place a jackstand under the center of the rear frame crossmember.
- Remove the frame-to-body bolts. Refer to
Frame Replacement
in Frame and Underbody.
- Lower the rear of the frame just enough to gain access to the
stabilizer shaft.
- Remove the bolts and the
clamps from the frame.
- Remove the insulators
from the stabilizer bar.
- Remove the stabilizer
bar links from the control arms.
- Pull the stabilizer shaft rearward.
- Swing the stabilizer shaft down to remove the stabilizer shaft
from the left side of the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
Caution: When installing the intermediate shaft make sure that the shaft is seated
prior to pinch bolt installation. If the pinch bolt is inserted into the coupling
before shaft installation, the two mating shafts may disengage. Disengagement
of the two mating shafts will cause loss of steering control which could result
in personal injury.
- Insert the stabilizer
shaft to the left side of the vehicle.
Important: DO NOT tighten the stabilizer link nut at this time. The weight of the
vehicle must be supported by the control arms such that you can obtain the
vehicle design trim heights before tightening the link nut.
- Loosely install the stabilizer shaft link at the control arm.
- Install the insulators
from the stabilizer bar.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners
must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring
replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant
are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or
corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified.
These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage
the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when
installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
- Connect the insulator
clamps to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts to 48 N·m (35 lb ft).
- Raise the frame into position while you guide the steering shaft
onto the gear.
- Install the new frame-to-body attaching bolts. Refer to
Frame Replacement
in Frame and Underbody.
- Remove the jackstand.
- Install the pinch bolt and tighten. Refer to
Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
in Steering
Wheel And Column.
- Install the dust seal into the steering gear.
- Support the weight of the vehicle by the control arms.
- Tighten the stabilizer link nut.
Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut to 23 N·m (17 lb ft).
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires
and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.