Steering Gear

Special Tool(s)

Powertrain Lift 300-OTC1585AE or equivalent

NOTE: 3.5L GTDI engine shown, 3.7L Ti-VCT similar.

Removal

All vehicles

1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM). Refer to Section 418-01 .

2. NOTE: Use a steering wheel holding device (such as Hunter® 28-75-1 or equivalent).

   Install a holding device to hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

3. Remove the wheels and tires. Refer to Section 204-04 .

4. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, remove and recenter the clockspring. Refer to Section 501-20B .

   Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering column shaft from the steering gear.
   • Discard the bolt.

5. Remove the 2 stabilizer bar link upper nuts.
   • Discard the nuts.

6. Remove the 2 outer tie-rod end nuts and separate the tie-rod ends from the wheel knuckle.

7. Remove the 4 retainers and the underbody shield, if equipped.

8. Remove the 2 RH engine splash shield-to-subframe pin-type retainers.

Vehicles equipped with a 3.7L Ti-VCT engine

9. Remove the Y-pipe. Refer to Section 309-00 .

10. Remove the 2 roll restrictor heat shield nuts and the engine roll restrictor heat shield.

Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine

11. Remove the RH and LH exhaust flexible pipes. Refer to Section 309-00 .

All vehicles

12. Remove the 2 front and rear roll restrictor-to-subframe bolts.

13. Position the Powertrain Lift under the subframe.

14. Remove the 2 front subframe rearward bolts, the 4 support bracket bolts and the 2 subframe support brackets.
    • Loosen the 2 front subframe forward bolts.

15. Lower the subframe to gain access to the steering gear.

16. Remove the flap heat shield bolt an position the flap heat shield to access the EPAS electrical connectors.

17. Remove the wiring harness bracket bolt and position the bracket and ground wire aside.

18. Disconnect the 2 Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.

19. NOTE: Position the stabilizer bar to the full up position.

    Remove the 2 steering gear bolts.
    • Remove the steering gear from the RH side of the vehicle.

Installation

All vehicles

1. Position the steering gear and install the 2 bolts.
   • Tighten to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft).

2. Connect the 2 EPAS electrical connectors and the wiring retainer.

3. Position the wiring harness bracket and ground wire, and install the bolt.
   • Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).

4. Position the flap heat shields and install the bolt.
   • Tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).

5. Raise the subframe.

6. Position the 2 subframe support brackets and loosely install the 4 bolts.

7. Install the 2 front subframe rearward bolts.
   • Tighten the rearward bolts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
   • Tighten the forward bolts to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

8. Tighten the 4 subframe support bracket bolts to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).

9. Install the 2 front and rear roll restrictor-to-subframe bolts.
   • Tighten to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine

10. Install the RH and LH exhaust flexible pipes. Refer to Section 309-00 .

Vehicles equipped with a 3.7L Ti-VCT engine

11. Position the roll restrictor heat shield and install the 2 roll restrictor heat shield heat shield nuts.
    • Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).

12. Install the Y-pipe. Refer to Section 309-00 .

All vehicles

13. Install the 2 RH engine splash shield-to-subframe pin-type retainers.

14. Position the underbody shield and install the 4 retainers.

15. Position the 2 outer tie-rod ends and install the nuts.
    • Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

16. Connect the stabilizer bar links and install the 2 nuts.
    • Tighten the new nuts to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

17. NOTICE: Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate while disconnected from the gear or damage to the clockspring may occur. If there is evidence that the steering column shaft has rotated, remove and recenter the clockspring. Refer to Section 501-20B .

    With the locator on the input shaft correctly aligned, connect the steering column shaft to the steering gear and install the new bolt.
    • Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).

18. Install the wheels and tires. Refer to Section 204-04 .

19. When installing a new steering gear, it must be configured (using vehicle as-built data or module configuration information retrieved earlier in this procedure). Refer to Programmable Module Installation (PMI) in Section 418-01 .

20. Check, and if necessary, adjust the front toe. Refer to Section 204-00 .