Removal Procedure
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:
- Touch a metal ground point in order to remove your body's static charge before servicing any electronic component; especially after sliding across the vehicle seat.
- Do not touch exposed terminals. Terminals may connect to circuits susceptible the ESD damage.
- Do not allow tools to contact exposed terminals when servicing connectors.
- Do not remove components from their protective packaging until required to do so.
- Avoid the following actions unless required by the diagnostic procedure:
- Jumpering or grounding of the components or connectors.
- Connecting test equipment probes to components or connectors. Connect the ground lead first when using test probes.
- Ground the protective packaging of any component before opening. Do not rest solid-state components on metal workbenches, or on top of TVs, radios, or other electrical devices.
During removal and installation, all EPS components including mechanical and/or electrical is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping or prying on any EPS component may cause internal damage. If damage occurs or a part is dropped, the EPS component must be replaced.
Care must be taken during removal and installation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) components to not hit or break the EPS motor/controller module or module harness connectors. If the EPS motor/ controller module or module connectors are damaged, the complete component must be replaced.
- Disconnect the battery negative cable. Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (9C1, 5W4) , or Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection (KL9)
- Raise and support the vehicle. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
- Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies. Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Steel Wheel) , or Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Aluminum Wheel)
- NOTE:
The proper position of the underbody skid shield is between the underbody splash shield and the front frame.
{with RC1} Remove the underbody skid shield.
- Underbody Skid Shield Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
- Underbody Splash Shield Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
- Underbody Skid Shield (3) - Remove
{without RC1} Remove the underbody skid shield.
- Underbody Skid Shield Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Underbody Skid Shield (2) - Remove
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Place match marks on the right side steering linkage inner tie rod nut (1) and the right side steering linkage inner tie rod.
- Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Nut-Right Side (1) - Loosen
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Nut-Right Side (1) - Remove
- CAUTION:
Do not attempt to disconnect a steering linkage joint by driving a wedge between the joint and the attached part. Seal damage may result which will cause premature failure of the joint.
NOTE:Left side shown, right side similar.
Using CH-43631 Ball Joint Separator (1), remove the right side steering linkage outer tie rod from the steering knuckle.
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod-Right Side (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Nut-Right Side (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Gear Boot Outer Clamp-Right Side (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Gear Boot Inner Clamp-Right Side (1) - Remove and DISCARD
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Gear Boot-Right Side (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Front Lower Control Arm Bracket Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
- Front Lower Control Arm Brace-Right Side (1) - Remove
- CAUTION:
Holding the steering gear rack bar with anything other than a non-serrated adjustable wrench will cause damage to the steering gear
NOTE:Left side shown, right side similar.
Cover the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear bar (2) with a clean shop towel.
- Hold the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear bar (2) with a non-serrated adjustable wrench.
- Using a universal inner tie rod wrench, loosen the right side steering linkage inner tie rod (1).
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod-Right Side (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
- The wiring harness and extension harness are NOT repairable. Do NOT attempt to repair the harnesses under any circumstances. If either harness is damaged then that harness MUST be replaced.
- Once the wiring harness and extension harness are removed, the harness retainers CANNOT be reused. Use NEW harness retainers only and place the NEW harness retainers in the same position and orientation as the old harness retainers. A NEW harness will come with NEW harness retainers already in place.
Disconnect the power steering wiring harness extension (1) and reposition.
- Disconnect the torque sensor power steering control module wiring harness (2) and reposition.
- Disconnect the power steering control module wiring harness (3) and reposition.
Steering Gear Nut- Right Side (1) - Remove
- Steering Gear Bolt- Right Side (2) - Remove
Steering Gear Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD [6x]
Remove the power steering assist motor belt tension access cover (1).
- NOTE:
During removal, the power steering assist motor belt tension access cover MUST be rotated clockwise to clear the lower control arm.
Rotate the power steering assist motor access cover (1) clockwise to complete the removal.
Power Steering Assist Motor Seal (1)@Electric Belt Drive Rack and Pinion Steering Gear - Remove and DISCARD
Power Steering Assist Motor Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD (4x)
Power Steering Assist Motor (2) - Remove
- Power Steering Assist Motor Seal (1)@Power Steering Assist Motor - Remove and DISCARD
Remove the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt (1) and DISCARD.
- Inspect the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear housing and the power steering assist motor shaft for signs of water intrusion or corrosion.
- If signs of water intrusion or corrosion are present, replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear.
- Inspect the power steering rack bar and electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear housing cover to ensure it is free from debris.
- Using a commercially available abrasive cleaning pad with a grit ranging between 320 and 400, clean the power steering assist motor sealing surface removing all corrosion from the surface area.
- Using low pressured compressed air, blow any debris from the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt cavity. Do NOT use any cleaning fluid within the cavity as cleaning fluid could remove the grease on the rack bar located inside the cavity.
The lower power steering gear bolt does NOT need to be completely removed. The bolt needs to clear the steering gear housing but will remain in the front suspension crossmember.
Water intrusion or corrosion can cause premature power steering assist motor failure. If signs of water intrusion or corrosion are present, replace the entire steering gear.
When cleaning the rack and pinion steering gear power assist motor sealing surface, ensure that no debris enters the belt cavity. Also ensure that no cleaning chemicals enter the belt cavity. If debris or cleaning chemicals enter the belt cavity, rack and pinion steering gear failure could occur and require replacement of the rack and pinion steering gear.
Do NOT use air tools to clean the power steering assist motor sealing surface.