Rack and Pinion Steering Gear

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Manual

MIRAGE

NOTE: Prior to removal of the steering rack, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clockspring and render SRS system inoperative. Be sure to properly disarm the air bag system.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Battery negative cable
   • Wheels
   • HO2S sensor and remove the front exhaust pipe
3. Properly support the engine. Remove both roll stopper mounting bolts and the 4 center member installation bolts.
4. Remove the center member.

   NOTE: Matchmark the pinion input shaft of the rack to the lower steering column joint for installation purposes.

5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Pinch bolt holding the lower steering column joint to the rack and pinion input shaft
   • Cotter pins and disconnect the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle
   • Rack and pinion steering assembly and its rubber mounts from the right side of the vehicle

   To install:

6. Align the matchmarks of the input shaft and install the rack to the vehicle.
7. Secure the rack using the retainer clamps and bolts. Torque the bolts to 51 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).
8. Torque the steering column pinch bolt to 13 ft. lbs. (18 Nm).
9. Install or connect the following:
   • Center member
   • Front exhaust pipe
   • HO2S sensor
   • Tie rod ends to the steering knuckles and tighten the castle nuts to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
   • Wheels and connect the negative battery cable
10. Perform a front end alignment.

    Fig. 1: Exploded view of the manual steering gear mounting — Mirage

Power

3000GT AND DIAMANTE

NOTE: Prior to removal of the steering gear box, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render SRS system inoperative.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable.
   • Front exhaust pipe
   • Transfer case assembly, if equipped with AWD
   • Bolt holding the lower steering column joint to the rack and pinion input shaft
   • Tie rod ends
   • Left and right frame members
   • Stabilizer bar bracket
   • Lines going to the rear pump, if equipped with 4-wheel steering
   • Rack and pinion steering assembly and its rubber mounts. Move the rack to the right to remove it from the crossmember.

   To install:

3. Install or connect the following:
   • Rack and install the mounting bolts, tightening bolts to 51 ft. lbs. (70 Nm). When installing the rubber rack mounts, align the projection of the mounting rubber with the indentation in the crossmember. Install the pinch bolt.
   • Pressure and return lines to the rack and to the rear pump, if equipped
   • Frame members and tighten the bolts to 43–51 ft. lbs. (60–70 Nm)
   • Tie rods and install new cotter pins
   • Transfer case and front exhaust pipe
4. Refill the reservoir and bleed the system.
5. Perform a front end alignment.

   Fig. 2: Exploded view of the power steering gear removal — 3000GT

   Fig. 3: Proper tie-rod end removal method

ECLIPSE (NON-TURBO)

NOTE: Prior to removal of the steering gear box, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render SRS system inoperative.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain the power steering fluid.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Stabilizer bar
   • Windshield washer reservoir
   • Pinch bolt from the joint assembly
   • Fluid lines from the steering rack
   • Tie rod ends from the steering knuckles
   • Left and right stays (supports)
6. Support the engine and remove the center member.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Clamp and the mounting bolts
   • Left lower compression arm from the body side of the vehicle and support it with wire or string
   • Steering rack from the joint assembly and remove the rack from the left side of the vehicle

   To install:

8. Position the steering rack in the vehicle and install the clamp and the mounting bolts. Be sure the rack is centered before connecting it to the joint assembly.
9. Install or connect the following:
   • Left lower compression arm to the body
   • Center member
   • Left and right stays and remove the engine support fixture or jack
   • Tie rods to the steering knuckles
   • Fluid lines to the steering rack
   • Pinch bolt in the joint assembly
   • Stabilizer bar and the windshield washer reservoir
10. Safely lower the vehicle.
11. Connect the negative battery cable.
12. Refill and bleed the power steering system.
13. Perform a front end alignment.

ECLIPSE (TURBO)

WARNING
Prior to removal of the steering gear box, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render SRS system inoperative.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain the power steering fluid.
4. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Stabilizer bar
   • Fluid level sensor and remove the brake fluid reservoir and position it out of the way. Do not disconnect the brake hose.
   • Electrical connector from the air conditioning compressor
   • Air conditioning compressor from the bracket and position it out of the way. Do not disconnect the hoses.
   • Pinch bolt from the joint assembly
   • Fluid lines from the steering rack
   • Tie rod ends from the steering knuckles
   • Left and right stays (supports)
6. Support the engine and remove the center member assembly.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Clamp and the mounting bolts
   • Left lower compression arm from the body side of the vehicle and support it with wire or string

     Fig. 5: Disconnect the lower compression arm from the body — Eclipse

8. Disconnect the steering rack from the joint assembly and remove the rack from the left side of the vehicle.

   To install:

9. Position the steering rack in the vehicle and install the clamp and the mounting bolts. Be sure the rack is centered before connecting it to the joint assembly.
10. Install or connect the following:
    • Left lower compression arm to the body
    • Center member assembly
    • Left and right stays
    • Tie rod ends to the steering knuckles
    • Fluid lines to the steering rack
    • Pinch bolt in the joint assembly
    • Stabilizer bar
11. Safely lower the vehicle.
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Air conditioning compressor and connect the harness connector
    • Brake fluid reservoir and connect the fluid level sensor
    • Negative battery cable
13. Refill and bleed the power steering system.
14. Perform a front end alignment.

GALANT

WARNING
Prior to removal of the steering gear box, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clock spring and render SRS system inoperative.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Raise and properly support the vehicle.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Both front wheel assemblies
   • Bolt holding lower steering column joint to the rack and pinion input shaft
   • Stabilizer bar
   • Cotter pins and the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle
5. On vehicles equipped with Electronic Control Power steering (EPS), disconnect the wiring harness from the solenoid connector.
6. Locate the 2 triangular braces near the crossmember and remove both.
7. Support the center crossmember. Remove the through-bolt from the front round roll stopper and remove the bolts securing the center crossmember.
8. Remove the center crossmember.
9. Properly support the engine and remove the rear roll stopper through-bolt.
10. Remove or disconnect the following:
    • Power steering fluid pressure pipe and return hose from the rack fittings. Plug the fittings to prevent excessive fluid leakage.
    • Clamp bolts and the 2 bolts securing the rack assembly to the chassis
    • Rack and pinion steering assembly and its rubber mounts

    NOTE: When removing the rack and pinion assembly, tilt the assembly to the vehicle side of the compression lower arm and remove from the left side of the vehicle.

    To install:

11. Center the rack assembly and insert the pinion into the steering column shaft.
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Rack and with the mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts to 51 ft. lbs. (69 Nm).
    • Pinch bolt and tighten the bolt to 13 ft. lbs. (18 Nm)
    • Power steering fluid lines to the rack and tighten the pressure hose fitting to 11 ft. lbs. (15 Nm). Secure the return hose with the clamp.
13. Raise the engine into position. Install the rear roll stopper through-bolt and tighten to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm).
14. Raise the crossmember into position. Install the center member mounting bolts and tighten the front bolts to 58–65 ft. lbs. (78–88 Nm) and the rear bolt to 51–58 ft. lbs. (69–78 Nm).
15. Install or connect the following:
    • Front roll stopper bolt and tighten the nut to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm)
    • 2 triangular braces and tighten the mounting bolts to 50–56 ft. lbs. (69–78 Nm)
    • Stabilizer bar
    • Tie rod ends and tighten nuts to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm)
16. On vehicles equipped with EPS, connect the wiring harness to the solenoid connector.
17. Install the wheel assemblies and lower the vehicle.
18. Refill the reservoir with power steering fluid and bleed the system.
19. Perform a front end alignment.

MIRAGE

NOTE: Prior to removal of the steering gear box, center the front wheels and remove the ignition key. Failure to do so may damage the SRS clockspring and render SRS system inoperative.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Drain the power steering system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Battery negative cable. Raise the vehicle and support safely
   • HO2S sensor and remove the front exhaust pipe
4. Properly support the engine.
5. Both roll stopper mounting bolts and the 4 center member installation bolts. Remove the center member.
6. Center member

   NOTE: Matchmark the pinion input shaft of the rack to the lower steering column joint for installation purposes.

7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Pinch bolt holding the lower steering column joint to the rack and pinion input shaft
   • Cotter pins and disconnect the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle
   • Power steering fluid pressure pipe and return hose from the rack fittings
   • Rack and pinion steering assembly and its rubber mounts from the right side of the vehicle

   To install:

8. Align the matchmarks of the input shaft and install the rack to the vehicle.
9. Secure the rack using the retainer clamps and bolts. Torque the bolts to 51 ft. lbs. (70 Nm).
10. Torque the steering column pinch bolt to 13 ft. lbs. (18 Nm).
11. Using new O-rings, connect the power steering fluid lines to the rack fittings.
12. Install or connect the following:
    • Center member
    • Front exhaust pipe
    • HO2S sensor
    • Tie rod ends to the steering knuckles and tighten the castle nuts to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
    • Wheels and connect the negative battery cable
13. Refill the reservoir and bleed the system.
14. Perform a front end alignment.

    Fig. 7: Exploded view of the power steering gear assembly — Mirage