Steering Gearbox Installation

Special Tools Required 

Subframe Alignment Pin 070AG-SJAA10S

1. Before installing the steering gearbox, make sure that no power steering fluid is on the mating surface of the steering gearbox and the front subframe. To prevent the gearbox mounting bolts from loosening after the installation, remove any power steering fluid from the mount cushions and bolt holes.
2. Wrap vinyl tape over the splines on the pinion shaft (A).
   Fig 1: Pinion Shaft, Pinion Shaft Grommet And Return Line Joint With Torque Specifications

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
3. Install the pinion shaft grommet (B) on the top of the valve housing.
4. Install the return line joint (C) if removed.
5. Slide the steering gearbox (A) between the front subframe and body from the driver's side.
   Fig 2: Sliding Steering Gearbox

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
6. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft clears the fender well opening on the body.
   Fig 3: Identifying Steering Gear Box

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Continue moving the steering gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position.
8. Loosely tighten the new left rear subframe mounting bolt (A) and the new stiffener mounting bolt (B); insert the 15.7 mm side of the subframe alignment pin (070AG-SJAA10S) through the positioning hole (C) on the rear stiffener, through the positioning hole (D) on the subframe, and into the positioning hole (E) on the body, then tighten the right rear subframe mounting bolt.
   Fig 4: Identifying Subframe And Stiffener Mounting Bolts With Positioning Hole

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Loosely tighten the new right rear subframe mounting bolt and the new stiffener mounting bolt with the same procedure as the left rear using the subframe alignment pin.
10. Loosely tighten the right and left front new subframe mounting bolts (A) and the stiffener mounting bolts (B).
    Fig 5: Identifying Subframe And Stiffener Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Using the subframe alignment pin, tighten the rear-driver's side subframe mounting bolt (A) to the specified torque.
    Fig 6: Subframe And Stiffener Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Using the subframe alignment pin, tighten the rear-passenger's side subframe mounting bolt (B) to the specified torque.
13. Tighten the front subframe mounting bolts (C) to the specified torque.
    NOTE: Check all of the front subframe mounting bolts, and retighten if necessary.
14. Tighten the front and rear stiffener mounting bolts (D) to the specified torque.
    NOTE: Before tightening the stiffener mounting bolts, check that the positioning holes and slot are aligned using the subframe alignment pin.
15. Loosely tighten new lower transmission mount bolt (A), and tighten it to the specified torque.
    Fig 7: Lower Transmission Mount Bolt With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Lower the transmission jack supporting the front subframe.
17. Install the gearbox stiffener bracket (A) on the driver's side of the front subframe, and tighten the bolts and nut to the specified torque.
    Fig 8: Gearbox Stiffener Bracket And Bolt With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Loosely install the new mounting bolts (A) on the driver's side of the steering gearbox.
    Fig 9: Mounting Bolts On Steering Gearbox With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Position the cutout (A) on the mounting cushion (B) as shown in illustration, and install it on the passenger's side of the steering gearbox.
    Fig 10: Positioning Cutout On Mounting Cushion With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Install the steering gearbox mounting bracket (C) over the mounting cushion, and loosely install the steering gearbox mounting bolts (D).
21. Tighten the steering gearbox mounting bolts on both sides of the steering gearbox to the specified torque alternately in two steps.
22. Install the new rear engine mount bolts (A) and the rear engine mount bolts (B) to the rear engine mount base bracket.
    Fig 11: Rear Engine Mount Bolts And Actuator Connector With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Connect the rear engine mount actuator connector (C).
24. Tighten the front engine mount bolt (A), then install the front engine mount stop (B) with the new mounting nuts (C), and connect the front engine mount actuator connector (D) and the harness clamps (E).
    Fig 12: Actuator Connector, Engine Mount Bolt And Stop, Harness Clamps And Engine Mount Bolt With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Install the inlet line clamp bolts (A), and tighten to the specified torque.
    Fig 13: Inlet Line Clamp Bolts With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. Install exhaust pipe A (see EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER REPLACEMENT ).
27. 4WD: Install the propeller shaft and propeller shaft protectors (see PROPELLER SHAFT INSTALLATION ).
28. Install the front subframe stiffener (A) with new mounting bolts (B), and tighten to the specified torque.
    Fig 14: Subframe Stiffener And Mounting Bolts With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Install the front splash shield (see SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
30. Lower the vehicle.
31. Remove the engine support hanger, then install the cowl top side lid on both sides.
32. Connect the stabilizer links (A) to the stabilizer bar.
    Fig 15: Stabilizer Links With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
33. Connect the return hose (A) securely, and tighten the adjustable hose clamp (B).
    Fig 16: Hose Clamp, Return Hose, Inlet Line And Flare Nut With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Connect the inlet line (C), and tighten the 16 mm flare nut (D) to the specified torque (see POWER STEERING HOSE, LINE, AND PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACEMENT  ).
35. On both sides, wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Reconnect the tie-rod ball joint (A) to the knuckle. Install the new nut (B), and tighten it to the specified torque.
    Fig 17: Tie-Rod Ball Joint, Cotter Pin And Nut With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
36. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown in illustration.
37. Install the power steering heat shield (A) with the flange bolts, and tighten to the specified torque.
    Fig 18: Power Steering Heat Shield And Bolts With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
38. Center the steering rack within its stroke.
39. Cut the wire (A).
    Fig 19: Identifying Wire, Steering Joint, Pinion Shaft And Gap

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
40. Slip the lower end of the steering joint (B) onto the pinion shaft (C) taking care to align the gap (D) within the angle.
41. Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).
    Fig 20: Identifying Steering Wheel Holder Tool

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
42. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the joint bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.
    Fig 21: Bolt Hole, Groove And Joint Bolt Of Steering Column With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
43. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the joint bolt to the specified torque.
44. Install the steering joint cover (A).
    Fig 22: Identifying Steering Joint Cover And Carpet

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
45. Set the carpet (B).
46. Install the center console trim (see CENTER CONSOLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
47. Install the footrest (see step 3 under CARPET REPLACEMENT ).
48. Install the dashboard driver's lower cover (see INSTRUMENT PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
49. Install the front bulkhead cover (see FRONT BULKHEAD COVER REPLACEMENT ).
50. Install the front wheels, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.
    NOTE: Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
51. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure (see USING THE GR8 BATTERY DIAGNOSTIC STATION ).
52. Fill the system with power steering fluid (see FLUID CHECK/REPLACEMENT  ), and bleed the air from the system.
53. Install the engine cover (see step 7 under INSTALLATION ).
54. Reinstall the support strut to the proper locations on the hood.
55. After installation, check these items.
    • Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks (see FLUID LEAKAGE INSPECTION  ).
    • Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft serrations.
    • Set the steering column to the center tilt position, and to the center telescopic position, then do the front toe inspection (see REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT ).