Note these items during removal:
- Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off of the valve body unit its lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
- Be sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.
- Drain the power steering fluid (see FLUID REPLACEMENT ).
- Raise the vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.
- Remove the front wheels.
- Remove the driver's airbag assembly (see REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (DRIVER-SIDE) article).
- Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL ).
- Remove the steering joint cover.
- Remove the steering joint bolts (A), disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (B) toward the column.
- Remove the cotter pin (A) from the 10 mm nut (B), and loosen the nut.
- Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool (see FRONT ).
- Grasp the right tie-rod and pull the rack all the way to the right, then remove the right and left tie-rod ends (A), and locknuts (B).
- Remove the exhaust pipe A and mounting bracket B .
- Disconnect the A/T shift cable (C) from the transmission (see SHIFT CABLE ).
- Loosen the 14 mm flare nut (A), and disconnect the pump outlet hose (B).
- Loosen the 17 mm flare nut (C), and remove the return line (D).
- After disconnecting the hoses and lines, plug or seal them with a piece of tape or equivalent to prevent foreign materials from entering.NOTE: Do not loosen the cylinder line A and B between the valve body unit and cylinder.
- Remove the stiffener plates (A), then remove the right mounting brackets (B) and the cushion (C).
- Pull the steering gearbox (A) down until the pinion shaft (B) clears the bulkhead, and remove the pinion shaft grommet from the top of the valve body unit.
- Move the steering gearbox to the passenger's side until the driver's side rack end rests on the end of the rear beam.
- To get the driver's side rack end around the rear beam, push up and back on the passenger's side rack end, then pull down on the driver's side of the steering gearbox.