Case Side Cover: Removal
- Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the throttle body air inlet duct. Install the engine support fixture. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article. Remove the left drive axle from the transaxle. Secure the drive axle to the steering knuckle/strut. Remove the engine mount struts. Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the left front wheel. Remove the left engine splash shield.
- Remove the intermediate steering shaft pinch bolt and the shaft from the steering gear. See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING. Remove the 3-way catalytic converter pipe from right exhaust manifold.
- Support the right and the left side of the frame with jackstands. Remove the transaxle mount bracket. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article. Remove the transaxle mount. Loosen the front and the right engine mount lower nuts.
- Loosen the right side and remove the left side frame to body bolts. Adjust the jackstand to the lower left side of the frame. Position the drain pan under the transaxle.
- Remove the case side cover bolts. See Fig 1 . Remove the case side cover pan (53). See Fig 2 . Remove the case side cover gasket (54).
- Inspect the case side cover (53) for the following conditions:
- Damaged or porous gasket sealing surfaces.
- Damaged or porous casting surfaces.
- Damaged or stripped bolt holes.
- Inspect the case side cover gasket (54) and case side cover inner gasket (59) for damage. The gaskets are reusable if they are NOT damaged. Clean the case side cover. Clean the case side cover gasket surfaces.
CAUTION:
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or damage to the intermediate shaft. This damage may cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.