Power Rack and Pinion Steering Gear

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Legacy, Legacy Outback and SUS Models

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Air intake duct
   • Front axle nut, loosen only at this time
   • Front tire and wheel assemblies
   • Electrical connector from the Oxygen sensor (O2S)
   • Front exhaust pipe assembly
   • Tie rod end cotter pin and loosen the castle nut
   • Tie rod ends from the steering knuckle arm using a ball joint puller
   • Jack up plate and the front stabilizer bar
3. From the power steering rack, remove the center pressure pipe, connect a vinyl hose to the pipe and joint, then turn the steering wheel to discharge the fluid into a container.

   NOTE: When discharging the power steering fluid (line A and B), turn the steering wheel fully, left and right. Be sure to disconnect the other pipe and drain the fluid in the same manner.

4. From the control valve of the gearbox assembly, remove the power steering C and D pressure pipes. Remove pipe D first and pipe C second.
5. If not disconnected when draining the fluid from the control valve of the gearbox assembly, remove the power steering A and B pressure pipes. Remove pipe A first and pipe B second.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Universal joint assembly. Matchmark the assembly before removal.
   • Power steering gearbox-to-crossmember assembly bolts
   • Gearbox assembly from the vehicle

   To install:

7. Install or connect the following:
   • Power steering rack and tighten the rack to crossmember bolts to 35–52 ft. lbs. (47–70 Nm)
   • Universal joint assembly making sure to align the matchmarks
   • Power steering pressure pipes and tighten to 7–12 ft. lbs. (10–16 Nm)
   • Universal joint assembly-to-power steering gearbox bolts and tighten to 16–19 ft. lbs. (22–24 Nm) and the universal joint assembly-to-steering shaft bolts 16–19 ft. lbs. (22–24 Nm)
   • Tie rod end to steering knuckle nut and tighten to 18–22 ft. lbs. (25–29 Nm). After tightening this nut, turn it no more than 60 degrees further to align the cotter pin hole.
   • New cotter pin
   • Front stabilizer into the vehicle
   • Exhaust Y-pipe and O2S sensor connector
   • Tires and tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification
8. Partially lower the vehicle, then refill and bleed the power steering system.
9. Check for fluid leaks and the fluid level, then install the jack up plate.
10. Check and adjust the toe-in and the steering angle.

Impreza, Impreza Outback and Impreza Outback Sport Models

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 wheels
   • Front Y-pipe
   • Tie rod end cotter pin and nut
   • Tie rod ends from the steering knuckle using a puller
   • Jack-up plate and front sway bar
   • Fluid lines from the rack and pinion
3. Matchmark the universal joint to the serration in the steering rack for installation reference.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Lower and upper universal joint bolts and lift the joint upward, disconnecting it from the rack and pinion shaft
   • Clamp bolts securing the rack and pinion to the crossmember
   • Rack and pinion

     Exploded view of the steering rack assembly — Impreza models

   To install:

5. Install or connect the following:
   • Rack and pinion. Tighten the clamp bolts to 43 ft. lbs. (59 Nm).
6. Align the steering rack to the universal joint. Push the long yoke of the joint all the way into the serrated position of the steering shaft, setting the bolt hole in the cut-out. Pull the short yoke all the way out of the serrated portion of the rack and pinion, setting the bolt hole in the cut-out. Insert the bolt through the short yoke. Pull the yoke and ensure the bolt is properly engaged in the cut-out. Fasten the short yoke side with the spring washer and bolt, then fasten the yoke side. Tighten the bolts to 17 ft. lbs. (24 Nm).
7. Install or connect the following:
   • Tie rod ends to the steering knuckle
   • Sway bar and jack-up plate
   • Y-pipe with new gaskets and nuts
   • Wheels
8. Fill and bleed the steering system.

SVX

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Oxygen sensor (O2S) connector and the steering harness connector
   • Front under cover
   • O2S sensor harness from the clip
   • Collector cover and rear catalytic converter cover
   • Front exhaust pipe
   • Cotter pin and castle nut from the outer tie rod ends
   • Tie rods from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller
   • Spring pin securing the halfshaft to the transaxle
   • Halfshaft from the transaxle
   • Power steering lines, one at a time. After disconnecting each allow the line to hang into a drain pan while you rotate the wheel lock to lock. This will purge the power steering fluid from the rack and pinion unit
   • Performance rod
   • Lower ball joint pinch bolt on the right side
   • Ball joint from the steering knuckle
3. Matchmark the universal joint to the rack and pinion unit and the steering shaft.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Upper and lower pinch bolts on the universal joint and push the joint up to remove it from the rack and pinion unit. Once it clears the rack pull it down and off the steering shaft.
   • Bolts securing the rack and pinion unit to the vehicle underbody
5. Remove the rack by performing the following:
   1. Turn the rack so the control valve faces the rear.
   2. Move the rack to the right so the left tie rod can be removed from the rack assembly.
   3. Remove the rack from the vehicle.

      To install:

6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Rack and pinion unit into the vehicle
   • Mounting bolts and tighten to 44 ft. lbs. (59 Nm)
   • Universal, with the matchmarks in line onto the steering shaft first, then down over the rack pinion shaft
   • Pinch bolts and tighten them to 17 ft. lbs. (24 Nm
   • Ball joint to the steering knuckle and tighten the pinch bolt to 38 ft. lbs. (52 Nm)
   • Performance rod
   • Power steering lines to the rack and pinion unit
   • Halfshaft to the axle
   • New spring pin
   • Tie rod ends to the steering knuckles and tighten the castle nuts to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm)
   • Front exhaust pipe
   • Exhaust covers
   • O2S sensor harness to the clip
   • Front under cover
   • Tire and wheel assembly
   • Steering harness and O2S sensor connector
   • Negative battery cable
7. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.