Steering Gear: Removal

All vehicles 

1. If installing a new steering gear, connect the scan tool and upload the module configuration information from the PSCM. Refer to: MODULE CONFIGURATION .
2. NOTE: Make sure to minimize damage to sealer foam and avoid pulling apart dash seal brackets from retainer pins. Excessive damage may allow engine noise, fumes, air or water to enter the passenger compartment.
   1. Remove the steering column dash seal nuts.
   2. Loosen the dash seal.
   3. Hand start the dash seal nuts.

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3. Using a holding device, hold the steering wheel in the straight-ahead position.

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4. On both sides. Remove the tie rod end. Refer to: Tie Rod End 
5. If equipped. Remove the bolts and the underbody shield.

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6. If equipped. Remove the bolts and the underbody shield.

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7. If equipped. Remove the bolts and the support brackets.

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8. 1. If equipped. Remove the 2 rearward underbody shield bolts.
   2. If equipped. Remove the 2 remaining underbody shield bolts and remove the underbody shield.

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9. 1. If equipped. Remove the underbody shield bolt.
   2. NOTE: It is not necessary to separate the underbody shield from the V-brace.

      If equipped. Remove the 6 V-brace bolts and remove the V-brace and underbody shield.

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10. WARNING: WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
    NOTE: DO NOT hammer, pry or force steering column and column shafts during installation or removal. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to steering components that could lead to loss of steering control during vehicle operation and could result in serious personal injury or death.
    NOTE: DO NOT attempt to remove or install the steering column lower coupler at the steering gear without first loosening the steering column dash seal and fasteners. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to steering components that could lead to loss of steering control during vehicle operation and could result in serious personal injury or death.

    Detach the steering column lower shaft from the lower coupler.

    1. Remove and discard the steering column shaft bolt.
    2. Pull apart the steering column shaft from the coupler.
    3. Secure the lower shaft to the frame rail to avoid damaging it during steering gear removal.

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11. Disconnect the 2 EPAS gear electrical connectors and unclip the 4 wiring fasteners and position the wiring harness aside.

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12. NOTE: When servicing inner tie rods, install a new bellows boot and clamps. The boots and clamps are designed to provide an airtight seal and protect the internal components of the steering gear. If the seal is not airtight, the vacuum generated during turning will draw water and contamination into the gear, causing failure of the steering gear components. Zip ties must not be used as they do not provide an airtight seal.
    NOTE: The inner ball joint grease is not compatible with water contamination. Do not allow water to become trapped in the grease or degradation and failure of the joint may occur.
    1. On both sides. Remove and discard the inner bellows boot clamp.
    2. On both sides. Remove and discard the outer bellows boot clamp.

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13. NOTE: Move the bellows boot enough to gain access to the inner tie rod nut.

    On both sides. Position aside the bellows boot.

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14. Position aside the steering stop.
    • GT350R and GT500 Models, LH side only.
    • All other models, On both sides.

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15. NOTE: The rack must be positioned completely to the LH side to gain clearance for tools.

    Position the steering rack completely to the LH side.

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16. NOTE: Hold the steering gear rack while loosening the inner tie rod. Failure to hold the rack securely could result in steering gear damage.
    NOTE: The steering gear rack holding tool must be reversed to remove the RH tie rod or damage to the rack and/or special tool may occur.
    NOTE: The holding tool can only be used on the LH side of the steering gear.
    NOTE: LH side shown RH side similar.

    On both sides. Using the special tool to hold the rack and an appropriate size crows foot wrench or open end wrench, remove and discard the inner tie rod. Use Special Service Tool: 204-816 Rack Holding Tool.

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17. Remove and discard the steering stop.
    • GT350R and GT500 Models, LH side only.
    • All other models, On both sides.

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    2.3L EcoBoost (231kW/314PS) 

18. Remove and discard the engine oil filter. Use the General Equipment: Oil Drain Equipment

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19. NOTE: If equipped with 2.3L EcoBoost and automatic transmission.

    Remove the transmission fluid cooler tubes bracket-to-engine mount nut.

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20. NOTE: If equipped with 2.3L EcoBoost and automatic transmission.

    Remove the transmission fluid cooler tubes bracket-to-transmission nut and position the tubes aside.

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    6-Speed Manual Transmission - MT82 

21. Remove the nut from the front of the RH engine mount bracket stud bolt and position the bracket for the wire harness aside.

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    5.0L 32V Ti-VCT/5.2L 32V Ti-VCT 

22. Detach the wire harness retainers from the oil pan.

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    5.2L 32V Ti-VCT 

23. Detach the O2 sensor wire harness retainer from the oil pan and position the harness aside.

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    All vehicles 

24. Remove and discard the LH steering gear bolt.

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25. Remove and discard the RH steering gear bolt.

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26. On convertible vehicles. If equipped. Remove the steering gear bracket bolt and the steering gear bracket.

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27. NOTE: The steering gear rack must be positioned so that the end of the rack is flush with the RH side of the steering gear case to gain clearance for removal.

    Position the steering gear rack so the end of the rack is flush with the RH side of the steering gear case.

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28. NOTE: It will be necessary to slide the steering gear to the LH side of the vehicle, then rotate and remove by lowering the RH side of the steering gear in order to remove it from the vehicle.

    Remove the steering gear.

    1. Slide the steering gear to the LH side of the vehicle.
    2. Lower the RH side of the steering gear and remove it from the vehicle.

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29. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new component.
    1. WARNING: WARNING: Do not reuse steering column shaft bolts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column shaft detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).
       NOTE: DO NOT attempt to remove or install the steering column lower coupler at the steering gear without first loosening the steering column dash seal and fasteners. Failure to follow this instruction may cause damage to steering components that could lead to loss of steering control during vehicle operation and could result in serious personal injury or death.

       Remove and discard the steering coupler bolt.

    2. Remove the steering coupler.

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