2003 CHRYSLER CARAVAN power steering

GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR
DESCRIPTION.........................26
OPERATION...........................27
WARNING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS.............27
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR.................27
REMOVAL - RHD GEAR................31INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - LHD GEAR.............32
INSTALLATION - RHD GEAR.............33
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............34
OUTER TIE ROD
REMOVAL.............................34
INSTALLATION.........................34
GEAR
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with a rack and pinion
power steering gear (Fig. 1). It is mounted to the
underside of the front suspension cradle/crossmem-
ber.
The steering column is attached to the gear
through the use of an intermediate shaft and cou-plers. The outer ends of the power steering gear's
outer tie rods connect to the steering knuckles.
NOTE: The power steering gear should NOT be ser-
viced or adjusted unless DaimlerChrysler Corpora-
tion authorizes. If a malfunction or oil leak occurs,
the complete steering gear should be replaced.
Only the outer tie rods may be replaced separately
from the rest of the gear.
Fig. 1 Power Steering Gear (Typical)
1 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
2 - INNER TIE ROD
3 - STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET
4 - POWER STEERING GEAR FLUID LINES
5 - STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
6 - INNER TIE ROD7 - OUTER TIE ROD
8 - TIE ROD JAM NUT
9 - BOOT/BELLOWS
10 - STEERING GEAR BOOT BREATHER TUBE
11 - BOOT/BELLOWS
12 - OUTER TIE ROD
19 - 26 GEARRS
ProCarManuals.com

OPERATION
Turning of the steering wheel is converted into lin-
ear (side-to-side) travel through the meshing of the
helical pinion teeth with the rack teeth in the steer-
ing gear. This travel pushes and pulls the tie rods to
change the direction of the vehicle's front wheels.
Power assist steering provided by the power steer-
ing pump is controlled by an open center, rotary type
control valve which directs oil from the pump to
either side of the integral rack piston upon demand.
Road feel is controlled by the diameter of a torsion
bar which initially steers the vehicle. As required
steering effort increases, as in a turn, the torsion bar
twists, causing relative rotary motion between the
rotary valve body and the valve spool. This move-
ment directs oil behind the integral rack piston
which, in turn, builds hydraulic pressure and assists
in the turning effort.
Manual steering control of the vehicle can be main-
tained if power steering assist is lost. However,
under this condition, steering effort is significantly
increased.
WARNING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE
PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE
EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING.
DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DIS-
CONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO
TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.
WARNING: FLUID LEVEL SHOULD BE CHECKED
WITH THE ENGINE OFF TO PREVENT PERSONAL
INJURY FROM MOVING PARTS.
CAUTION: When the system is open, cap all open
ends of the hoses, power steering pump fittings or
power steering gear ports to prevent entry of for-
eign material into the components.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.Use
care not to damage the filter mesh below the
fluid surface.
CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the
straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring
from being accidentally over-extended when the
steering column is disconnected from the interme-
diate steering coupler.
(3) Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-
AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place
using a steering wheel holding tool.
(4) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft
Attachment
1 - STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLER
2 - NUT
3 - SAFETY PIN
4 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
5 - PINCH BOLT
RSGEAR19-27
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(5) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(6) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove front emissions vapor canister. (Refer
to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE
EMISSIONS/VAPOR CANISTER - REMOVAL)
(8) Remove a single hose at power steering cooler
and allow fluid to drain.
(9) Remove 2 bolts attaching power steering cooler
to cradle crossmember reinforcement (Fig. 3).
(10) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 4).
Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(11) Remove bolts fastening leak detection pump to
cradle crossmember reinforcement. (Refer to 25 -
EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMIS-
SIONS/LEAK DETECTION PUMP - REMOVAL)
(12) Remove both outer tie rods from steering
knuckles, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig.
5).
(13) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
Fig. 3 Power Steering Cooler
1 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
2 - POWER STEERING COOLER
Fig. 4 Removing/Installing Tie Rod End Attaching
Nut
1 - TIE ROD END
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - WRENCH
4 - SOCKET
5 - TIE ROD END STUD
Fig. 5 Tie Rod Removal With Tool C-3894-A
1 - OUTER TIE ROD
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3894-A
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
19 - 28 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(14) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 6). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove lower rear bushings,
then the reinforcement.(15) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-
Drive, remove the power transfer unit as necessary
(Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/
POWER TRANSFER UNIT).
(16) Remove tube nuts and power steering pres-
sure and return hoses from the power steering gear
(Fig. 7).
(17) Remove the 3 bolts and nuts mounting the
steering gear to the front suspension cradle (Fig. 8).
NOTE: The next step must be done to allow the
removal of the steering gear from the front suspen-
sion cradle. The steering gear can not be removed
from the vehicle with the intermediate coupler
attached to the steering gear.
(18) Lower steering gear from suspension cradle
enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler
roll pin (Fig. 9). Install Remover/Installer Special
Tool 6831A through the center of the roll pin, secur-
ing with the knurled nut (Fig. 9). Hold threaded rod
stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll
pin out of the intermediate coupler.
(19) Separate the coupler from the shaft of the
steering gear.
(20) Remove the power steering gear from the
vehicle.
Fig. 6 Cradle Crossmember Reinforcement
Attachment
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
5 - REAR CRADLE CROSSMEMBER ISOLATOR BUSHING
6 - STABILIZER BAR
7 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
RSGEAR19-29
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

Fig. 7 Hoses To Power Steering Gear - 3.3L/3.8L Engine
1 - RETURN HOSE (TO RESERVOIR)
2 - PRESSURE HOSE (FROM PUMP)
3 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
4 - PRESSURE HOSE ROUTING CLAMP
5 - RETURN HOSE ROUTING CLAMP
6 - PRESSURE HOSE TUBE NUT7 - POWER STEERING GEAR
8 - ABS BRACKET
9 - ROUTING CLIP
10 - LEAK DETECTION PUMP FILTER
11 - RETURN HOSE TUBE NUT
12 - ROUTING CLIP
Fig. 8 Steering Gear Mounting To Suspension Cradle
1 - POWER STEERING GEAR
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS (12 MM)
3 - MOUNTING BOLT (14 MM)
4 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
19 - 30 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

REMOVAL - RHD GEAR
(1) Remove cap from power steering fluid reser-
voir.
(2) Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as
possible from the power steering fluid reservoir.
CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the
straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring
from being accidentally over-extended when the
steering column is disconnected from the interme-
diate steering coupler.
(3) Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-
AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place
using a steering wheel holding tool.
(4) With the ignition key in the locked position
turn the steering wheel to the left until the steering
wheel is in the locked position.
(5) With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the
steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear
intermediate coupler (Fig. 2).
(6) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(7) Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
(8) If power steering cooler equipped, remove a
hose at power steering cooler and allow fluid to
drain.
(9) Remove 2 bolts attaching power steering cooler
to cradle crossmember reinforcement (Fig. 3).
(10) On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching
outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Fig. 4).Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a
socket while loosening and removing nut with
wrench.
(11) Remove both tie rod ends from steering
knuckles using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 5).
(12) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
(13) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 6). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
(14) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-
Drive, remove the power transfer unit (Refer to 21 -
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER TRANSFER
UNIT - REMOVAL).
(15) Remove the power steering fluid pressure and
return hoses from the power steering gear (Fig. 10).
(16) Remove the routing clamp bolt securing the
power steering fluid hoses to the rear of the cradle
crossmember (Fig. 11). Allow the hoses to hang down
out of the way.
(17) Remove the heat shield from the steering gear
(Fig. 10).
(18) Remove the 2 bolts and nuts mounting the
steering gear to the front suspension cradle.
Fig. 9 Removing Roll Pin From Intermediate Coupler
1 - INTERMEDIATE COUPLER
2 - KNURLED NUT
3 - SUSPENSION CRADLE
4 - REMOVER SPECIAL TOOL 6831A
5 - STEERING GEAR
6 - NUT
7 - ROLL PIN
8 - THREADED ROD
Fig. 10 RHD Gear Heat Shield And Hose Fittings
1 - HEAT SHIELD
2 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
3 - RETURN HOSE FITTING
4 - PRESSURE HOSE FITTING
5 - POWER STEERING GEAR
RSGEAR19-31
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

NOTE: The next step must be done to allow the
removal of the steering gear from the front suspen-
sion cradle. The steering gear cannot be removed
from the vehicle with the intermediate coupler
attached to the steering gear.
(19) Lower steering gear from suspension cradle
enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler
roll pin (Fig. 9). Install Remover/Installer, Special
Tool 6831A, through the center of the roll pin, secur-
ing with the knurled nut (Fig. 9). Hold threaded rod
stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll
pin out of the intermediate coupler.
(20) Separate the coupler from the steering gear
shaft.
(21) Remove the power steering gear from the
vehicle.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - LHD GEAR
(1) Install the power steering gear up in the front
suspension cradle, leaving room to install intermedi-
ate coupler.
(2) Start the roll pin into the intermediate coupler
before installing coupler on steering gear shaft. Start
roll pin into coupler, using a hammer and tapping it
into the coupler. Then install the intermediate cou-
pler on the shaft of the steering gear.
(3) Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A
through the center of the roll pin, securing it with
the knurled nut (Fig. 12). Hold threaded rod station-
ary while turning nut, this will pull the roll pin into
the intermediate coupler.
CAUTION: Proper torque on the steering gear to
suspension cradle mounting bolts is very impor-
tant.
(4) Install steering gear on the front suspension
cradle. Install the 3 steering gear mounting bolts and
nuts (Fig. 8). Tighten the 3 mounting bolts to the fol-
lowing torque values:
²14 mm bolt ± 183 N´m (135 ft. lbs.) torque
²12 mm bolt ± 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.) torque
(5) Attach the power steering fluid pressure and
return hoses to the correct ports on the power steer-
ing gear (Fig. 7). Tighten the hose tube nuts at the
gear to a torque of 31 N´m (275 in. lbs.).
(6) If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-Drive,
install the power transfer unit as necessary (Refer to
21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER
TRANSFER UNIT).
Fig. 11 RHD Power Steering Gear - 2.5L Diesel
Shown
1 - RETURN HOSE
2 - PRESSURE HOSE
3 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
4 - POWER STEERING GEAR
5 - RETURN HOSE FITTING
6 - PRESSURE HOSE FITTING
7 - HOSE ROUTING CLAMP
Fig. 12 Installing Roll Pin In Intermediate Coupler
1 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER
2 - SUSPENSION CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
3 - KNURLED NUT
4 - ROLL PIN
5 - POWER STEERING GEAR
19 - 32 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION: Proper torque on the cradle reinforce-
ment to suspension cradle mounting bolts is very
important.
(7) Install the reinforcement on the front suspen-
sion cradle crossmember and install the bolts attach-
ing the reinforcement to the cradle crossmember
(Fig. 6). Tighten the M-14 size bolts to a torque of
153 N´m (113 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size bolts to
a torque of 106 N´m (78 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts (M-10 size) through reinforcement on
each side of each lower control arm rear bushing.
Tighten bolts to a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install the two bolts and bushings attaching
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
body of vehicle (Fig. 6). Tighten bolts to a torque of
163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install outer tie rod end into steering knuckle.
Start outer tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut
onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod
end stationary using a socket (Fig. 4), tighten tie rod
end to steering knuckle attaching nut. Then using a
crowfoot and socket (Fig. 13), tighten the tie rod end
attaching nut to a torque of 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.).
(11) Install leak detection pump on cradle cross-
member reinforcement. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS
CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/LEAK
DETECTION PUMP - INSTALLATION)
(12) Install the power steering fluid cooler on the
cradle crossmember reinforcement (Fig. 3). Install
the mounting bolts and tighten to 11 N´m (100 in.
lbs.). When installing mounting bolts, include pres-
sure hose routing clamp.(13) Reconnect previously disconnected hose at
power steering cooler and install clamp.
(14) Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on
vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 135
N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(15) Install front emissions vapor canister. (Refer
to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE
EMISSIONS/VAPOR CANISTER - INSTALLATION)
(16) Lower the vehicle to a level where the interior
of vehicle is accessible.
(17) With the wheels pointed approximately
STRAIGHT-AHEAD, align the intermediate shaft
with the steering column coupler. Assemble the steer-
ing column shaft coupler onto the steering gear inter-
mediate coupler (Fig. 2). Install steering column
coupler to intermediate shaft retaining pinch bolt.
Tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 N´m (250
in. lbs.).
(18) Remove the steering wheel holding tool.
(19) Fill and bleed the power steering system
using the Power Steering Pump Initial Operation
Procedure. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/PUMP - STAN-
DARD PROCEDURE)
(20) Inspect system for leaks.
(21) Adjust front toe (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
INSTALLATION - RHD GEAR
(1) Install the steering gear up in the front sus-
pension cradle crossmember, leaving room to install
intermediate coupler.
(2) Start the roll pin into the intermediate coupler
before installing coupler on steering gear shaft. Start
roll pin into coupler, using a hammer and tapping it
into the coupler. Then install the intermediate cou-
pler on the shaft of the steering gear.
(3) Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A
through the center of the roll pin, securing it with
the knurled nut (Fig. 12). Hold threaded rod station-
ary while turning nut. This will pull the roll pin into
the intermediate coupler.
(4) Install power steering gear on the front suspen-
sion cradle. Install the 2 steering gear mounting
bolts and nuts. Tighten the M-14 size steering gear
to suspension cradle mounting bolt to a torque of 183
N´m (135 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size steering
gear to suspension cradle mounting bolt to a torque
of 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Proper torque on the steering gear to
suspension cradle mounting bolts is very impor-
tant.
(5) Install the heat shield on the steering gear
(Fig. 10).
(6) Attach the power steering fluid pressure and
return hoses to the proper fittings on the steering
Fig. 13 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - TIE ROD END
3 - CROWFOOT
4 - SOCKET
5 - TORQUE WRENCH
RSGEAR19-33
GEAR (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com