Steering Gearbox Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
• Front subframe adapter VSB02C000016 *
• Engine support hanger, A and Reds AAR-T-12566 *
• Engine hanger balance bar VSB02C000019 *
• 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.
• Be sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.

1. Remove the right side engine compartment cover (A), right rear engine compartment cover (B) and left rear engine compartment cover (C).
   Fig 1: Identifying Right Side Engine Compartment Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
2. Drain the power steering fluid (see step 3 on FLUID CHECK/REPLACEMENT  ).
3. Make sure you have the anti-theft codes for the audio or the navigation system (if equipped).
4. Make sure the ignition switch is OFF, then disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
5. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
6. Remove the front wheels, taking care not to scratch the calipers on Type-S model.
7. Remove the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL  ).
8. Remove the steering joint cover A.
   Fig 2: Identifying Steering Joint Cover

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Hold the lower slide shaft (A) on the column with a piece of wire (B) between the joint yoke (C) of the lower slide shaft and joint yoke (D) of the upper shaft to prevent the slider shaft from pulling out.
   Fig 3: Identifying Lower Slide Shaft And Joint Yoke

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
10. Release the lock lever, and adjust the steering column to the full telescopic out position, then tighten the lock lever.
11. Remove the steering joint bolt (A), and disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (B) toward the column.
    Fig 4: Identifying Steering Joint Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Remove the center guide (A) (if equipped), and discard it. The center guide is for factory assembly use only.
    Fig 5: Identifying Cover Seal

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Remove the steering joint cover B. Be careful not to damage the mating surface on the joint cover B and the pinion shaft grommet. Replace the cover seal (C) if necessary.
14. Install the engine hanger balancer bar (VSB02C 000019); attach the front arm (A) to the front cylinder head with a spacer (B) and 10 x 1.25 mm bolt (C), attach the rear arm (D) to the rear cylinder head with 8 x 1.25 mm bolt (E).
    Fig 6: Identifying Engine Hanger Balancer Bar (VSB02C 000019)

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Install the engine support hanger (AAR-T-12566) to the vehicle, and attach the hook to the slotted hole in the engine hanger balancer bar. Tighten the wing nut (F) by hand to lift and support the engine/ transmission.
16. Remove and discard the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod ball joint nut (B), and loosen the nut.
    Fig 7: Identifying Cotter Pin From Tie-Rod Ball Joint Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the ball joint remover (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
18. Disconnect the power steering pressure switch connector (A).
    Fig 8: Identifying Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Remove the splash shield (A) (see SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 9: Identifying Splash Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Remove the engine undercover (A) (see step 32 on ENGINE REMOVAL ).
    Fig 10: Identifying Engine Undercover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Attach the front subframe adapter to the front suspension subframe (A) hang the hook of the front subframe adapter over the front of the subframe, then tighten the front subframe adapter screw.
    Fig 11: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. 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.
23. Remove the rear engine mount base bracket bolts (A).
    Fig 12: Identifying Rear Engine Mount Base Bracket Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Remove the front suspension subframe right middle mounting bolts (A).
    Fig 13: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Right Middle Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Remove the front suspension subframe left middle mounting (A).
    Fig 14: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Left Middle Mounting

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. 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 15: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Front Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
27. Remove the front suspension subframe rear bracket (A) on the right and left of the vehicle from the front suspension subframe (B).
    Fig 16: Identifying Front Suspension Subframe Rear Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
28. Lower the jack supporting the front suspension subframe (A) with the front subframe adapter, slowly until the front suspension subframe has dropped about 50 mm (1 15/16 in.).
    Fig 17: Supporting Front Suspension Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Remove the P/S heat shield (A).
    Fig 18: Identifying P/S Heat Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
30. Remove the inlet line holder mounting bolt (A) on the front suspension subframe.
    Fig 19: Identifying Inlet Line Holder Mounting Bolt On Front Suspension Subframe

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Remove the inlet line holder mounting bolt (A) and return hose (B) from the gearbox mounting bracket (C).
    Fig 20: Identifying Inlet Line Holder Mounting Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
32. 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 inlet line (B).
    Fig 21: Identifying Inlet Line And Return Line

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Loosen the flare nut (C), and disconnect the return line (D).
34. After disconnecting the lines or pipe, plug or seal them with a piece of tape or equivalent to prevent foreign materials from entering.
35. Remove and discard the steering gearbox mounting bolts (A) and washers (B) on the left gearbox mount.
    Fig 22: Identifying Steering Gearbox Mounting Bolts And Washers On Left Gearbox Mount

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Remove the two flange bolts from the right side of the gearbox, then remove the gearbox mounting bracket (A) and cushion (B).
    Fig 23: Identifying Gearbox Mounting Bracket And Cushion

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
37. Move the steering gearbox toward the front, and remove the pinion shaft grommet (A) from the top of the valve body unit.
    Fig 24: Identifying Pinion Shaft Grommet

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Apply vinyl tape (B) to the splines on the pinion shaft.
39. Apply vinyl tape or equivalent material (A) to brake lines (B) to protect if from the pinion shaft.
    Fig 25: Applying Vinyl Tape To Brake Lines

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Move the steering gearbox to the driver's side, and rotate it so the pinion shaft points toward the front of the vehicle.
41. Carefully move the steering gearbox as an assembly toward the left side of the vehicle until the pinion shaft clears the wheel well opening. Be careful not to damage the brake lines with the pinion shaft.
    Fig 26: Identifying Steering Gearbox

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Remove the steering gearbox through the wheel well opening on the driver's side.
    Fig 27: Removing Steering Gearbox

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. 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.