Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016 *

  * Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment program 888-424-6857

  Note these items during removal:

  • Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, its lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
  • Make sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.

1. Remove the right side engine component cover (A), right rear engine component cover (B) and left rear engine component cover (C).
   Fig 1: Removing Right Side Engine Component Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
2. Drain the power steering fluid (see step 1 in FLUID REPLACEMENT  ).
3. Raise the front of vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see SAFETY STANDS ).
4. Remove the front wheels, taking care not to scratch the calipers on M/T model.
5. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL  ).
6. Remove the steering joint cover A.
   Fig 2: Removing Steering Joint Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Remove the steering joint bolt (A), and disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (B) toward the column. Hold the slider shaft (C) on the column with a piece of wire (D) between the joint yoke (E) on the slider shaft to the joint yoke on the upper shaft (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
   Fig 3: Removing Steering Joint Bolt

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Remove the center guide (A), and discard it.
   Fig 4: Removing Center Guide

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Remove the steering joint cover B. Be careful not to damage the mating surface on the joint cover B and pinion shaft grommet. Replace the cover seal (C) if necessary.
10. Remove and discard the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod ball joint nut (B), and loosen the nut.
    Fig 5: Removing And Discarding Cotter Pin

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
12. Disconnect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
    Fig 6: Disconnecting PSP Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Remove the splash shield (A).
    Fig 7: Removing Splash Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Remove the engine under cover (A).
    Fig 8: Removing Engine Under Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Attach the special tool to the front suspension subframe (A) by hanging the hook of the special tool over the front of the subframe, then tighten the special tool screw.
    Fig 9: Attaching Special Tool To Front Suspension Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Raise the jack (B) and line up the slots in the arms with the bolt holes on the corner of the jack base, then attach them with bolts securely.
17. Remove the front suspension subframe right middle mounting bolts (A).
    Fig 10: Removing Front Suspension Subframe Right Middle Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Remove the front suspension subframe left middle mounting (A).
    Fig 11: Removing Front Suspension Subframe Left Middle Mounting

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Loosen the front suspension subframe front bracket (A) mounting bolts on the right and left of the vehicle so they are about 30 mm (1 3/16 in.) from the mounting surface.
    Fig 12: Removing Front Suspension Subframe Front Bracket Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the front suspension subframe rear bracket (A) on the right and left of the vehicle from the front suspension subframe (B).
    Fig 13: Removing Front Suspension Subframe Rear Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Lower the jack supporting the front suspension subframe (A) with the special tool slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped about 50mm(1 15/16 in.).
    Fig 14: Lowering Jack Supporting Front Suspension Subfram With Special Tool

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Remove the P/S heat baffle plate (A).
    Fig 15: Removing P/S Heat Baffle Plate

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Remove the feed line holder mounting bolt (A) on the front suspension subframe.
    Fig 16: Removing Feed Line Holder Mounting Bolt ('04 Model)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 17: Removing Feed Line Holder Mounting Bolt ('05-06 Models)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the feed line holder mounting bolt (A) and return hose (B) from the gearbox mounting bracket (C).
    Fig 18: Removing Feed Line Holder Mounting Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Place several shop towels under the line connections, and cover the gearbox mounting part to protect it from the power steering fluid. Loosen the flare nut (A), and disconnect the feed line (B).
    Fig 19: Loosening Flare Nut And Disconnecting Feed Line ('04 Model)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
    Fig 20: Loosening Flare Nut And Disconnecting Feed Line ('05-06 Models)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. For '04 model, loosen the flare nut (C), and disconnect the return line (D). For '05-06 models, loosen the hose clamp (E) and remove the return hose (F).
27. After disconnecting the lines or pipe, 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 the cylinder.
28. Remove and discard the steering gearbox mounting bolts (A) and washers (B) on the left gearbox mount.
    Fig 21: Removing Steering Gearbox Mounting Bolts And Washers

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Remove the two flange bolts from the right side of the gearbox, then remove the gearbox mounting bracket (A) and cushion (B).
    Fig 22: Removing Gearbox Mounting Bracket And Cushion

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Move the steering gearbox toward the front, and remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the top of the valve body unit.
    Fig 23: Removing Pinion Shaft Grommet From Top Of Valve Body Unit

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Apply vinyl tape (B) to the splines on the pinion shaft.
32. Apply vinyl tape or equivalent material (A) to brake lines (B) to protect if from the pinion shaft.
    Fig 24: Applying Vinyl Tape To Brake Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Move the steering gearbox to the driver's side, and rotate it so the pinion shaft points toward the front of the vehicle.
34. Carefully move the steering gearbox as an assembly toward the left side of the vehicle until the pinion shaft clears the wheelwell opening. Be careful not to damage the brake lines with the pinion shaft.
    Fig 25: Moving Steering Gearbox

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
35. Remove the steering gearbox through the wheelwell opening on the driver's side.
    Fig 26: Removing Steering Gearbox

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. After removing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid gets on the gearbox mount cushions, gearbox housing, surface of the front suspension subframe and stiffener. Wipe off any spilled fluid at once.