We remove the elements of the steering for repair or replacement.
We have examined the removal of the steering wheel in the article – Removal and installation of the steering wheel of the vehicle
We have examined the removal of the power steering pump and the bleeding of the system in the article – Removal of the power steering pump.
In this article we consider the removal of the remaining elements of the steering system of the vehicle
Removal of the steering column
We remove the steering column for replacement as an assembly in the event of failure of the bearings of the column shaft or the cardan joints of the intermediate shaft.
We remove the steering column switches (article – Design and replacement of the steering column switches) with the drum device of the spiral cable.
We remove the instrument cluster.
We disconnect the wiring connectors of the ignition switch and the immobiliser coil from the wiring harness connectors.
The steering column can be dismantled in two ways — with the removal of the instrument panel or without the removal of the panel.
Let us consider both methods.
We remove the instrument panel (article – How to remove the instrument panel).
We withdraw the bolt.
To remove the steering column without removing the instrument panel:
From under the instrument panel we unscrew two lower bolts securing the steering column
Then, moving the upper part of the steering column so that it does not catch on the elements of the instrument panel and the crossmember, we push the column downwards, through the opening in the instrument panel
We install the steering column in the reverse order.
We mount the coupling of the lower cardan joint on the pinion shaft of the steering mechanism so that the bolt securing the coupling coincides with the flat of the pinion shaft.
Tightening torques of the steering fasteners:
- - screw securing the steering wheel – 44 Nm;
- - bolt securing the steering mechanism housing to the subframe – 125 Nm;
- - bolt securing the steering column bracket – 21 Nm;
- - securing of the tie rod to the rack – 34 Nm;
- - lock nut of the tie rod end – 50 Nm;
- - nut securing the ball pin of the tie rod end – 37 Nm;
- - bolt securing the power steering pump – 25 Nm;
- - nut of the clamping bolt of the cardan joint of the steering shaft – 21 Nm.
Replacement of the tie rod end
We replace the tie rod end in the event of failure of its ball joint or damage to the joint boot.
We carry out the work on a level surface
We remove the front wheel on the side of the tie rod end being replaced and securely fix the vehicle on a support.
We turn the steering wheel to the stop towards the side opposite to the end being removed.
The work is shown on the example of the left tie rod end, the right tie rod end is replaced in a similar way.
Before unscrewing the nut securing the pin of the joint of the end to the lever of the steering knuckle, we clean with a metal brush the opening for the Torx key in the end of the pin from dirt.
In the absence of a puller we unscrew the nut of the pin not completely.
We insert a mounting lever between the tie rod end and the lever of the steering knuckle.
Pressing with the mounting lever the tie rod end downwards, and striking with a hammer on the end of the lever of the steering knuckle, we press the pin out of the opening in the lever.
In this case the steering knuckle should be supported with an adjustable support «A».
We install the tie rod end in the reverse order.
We screw it onto the threaded end of the tie rod by the same number of turns (or up to the mark made), by which it was screwed on before removal.
We tighten the lock nut of the end and the nut securing the ball joint pin to the prescribed torques.
After completing the work on installing the tie rod end, it is necessary to check and if necessary adjust the wheel alignment on a special stand — at the service station.
To adjust the wheel alignment, it is necessary to loosen the tightening of the lock nut of the end, remove the spring clip and rotate the tie rod by the hexagon with a 13 mm spanner, holding the end with a 19 mm spanner.
We tighten the lock nut to the torque indicated above.
Replacement of the boot of the steering mechanism
If the boot of the steering mechanism has lost its elasticity, cracked or torn, it must be replaced.
We remove the tie rod end, as described above
We install a new boot in the reverse order.
Replacement of the tie rod
We replace the tie rod in the event of play in its ball joint.
We place the vehicle on an inspection pit or a lift.
The operations are shown on the left tie rod.
The right tie rod is removed in a similar way.
We remove the tie rod end, as described above.
We remove the protective boot.
We install a new tie rod in the reverse order.
Before installation we apply a small amount of locking sealant to the threaded part of the ball joint of the tie rod.
We check and if necessary adjust the wheel alignment angle.
Removal of the steering mechanism
We remove the steering mechanism for repair or replacement. With a bulb we pump the liquid out of the power steering reservoir.
We disconnect the ends of both tie rods from the steering knuckles.
In the vehicle cabin we disconnect the coupling of the cardan joint of the intermediate shaft of the steering column from the pinion shaft of the steering mechanism.
Before disconnecting the pipes of the hydraulic lines from the housing of the steering mechanism, we place a wide container under the housing to collect the liquid.
We also disconnect the pipe of the pressure line.
The connection of the pipes of the return and pressure lines is sealed by rubber rings.
We replace them if they have lost elasticity, cracked or are deformed.
We unscrew the bolt securing the housing of the steering mechanism to the subframe of the front suspension on the right side.
We place an adjustable support under the rear part of the subframe.
We loosen the tightening of the front bolts securing the subframe to the body, by approximately four turns.
We unscrew the rear bolts securing the subframe to the body and remove two subframe reinforcements
We bring the pinion shaft of the steering mechanism out of the opening in the front panel.
We install the steering mechanism in the reverse order.
Before installation we check that the rack is set in the middle position.
We tighten the bolts and nuts to the torques indicated in this article.
