(4) Position the upper shroud on the column (Fig.
35).
(5) If equipped with traction control, route the
switch wiring down around the column. Connect the
wiring connector from the column wiring harness to
the traction control switch wiring (attached to upper
shroud) (Fig. 37).
(6) If removed, position the lower shroud on the
column (Fig. 36). Install the lower shroud mounting
screw. Tighten the screw to 2 N´m (17 in. lbs.) torque.(7) Align the upper shroud with the lower, then
snap shrouds together at locking tab locations on
both sides of column.
(8) Install the two shroud-to-shroud mounting
screws (Fig. 35). Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (17 in.
lbs.) torque.
(9) Inspect shroud mating surfaces for excessive
gaps and correct as necessary.
(10) Check operation of any previously discon-
nected switches.
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN - WARNING)(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RE-
STRAINTS - WARNING).
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative (ground)
cable from the battery. Wait at least two minutes for
the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge
before beginning any steering column, instrument
panel, or airbag system/component service.
WARNING: WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG IS TO
BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, FIRST DISCON-
NECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE
(GROUND) CABLE. ALLOW THE AIRBAG SYSTEM
RESERVE CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO
MINUTES BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYS-
TEM OR COMPONENT SERVICE. PERSONAL
INJURY MAY RESULT IF THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT
FOLLOWED.
Fig. 38 Traction Control Switch Routing Clip
1 - ROUTING CLIP
2 - SWITCH WIRING
Fig. 39 Traction Control Switch Mounting
1 - TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH
2 - UPPER SHROUD
Fig. 40 Driver Airbag Mounting
1 - DRIVER AIRBAG
2 - MOUNTING SCREWS
RSCOLUMN19-23
SHROUD - UPPER (Continued)
(2) Remove the driver airbag mounting screws
(Fig. 40).
(3) Lift the airbag from its mount and disconnect
two airbag squib, speed control and horn connectors
(Fig. 41). Remove driver airbag. Properly store the
driver airbag out of the way. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/RESTRAINTS - WARNING)(4) Remove the steering wheel retaining bolt (Fig.
42).
(5) Remove damper (Fig. 42).
(6) If equipped, disconnect the remote audio con-
trol switch wiring from the clockspring (Fig. 42).
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering col-
umn or steering column shaft when removing steer-
ing wheel from steering column shaft.
CAUTION: When installing steering wheel puller
bolts in steering wheel, do not thread bolt into
steering wheel more than a half inch. If the bolts
are threaded into the steering wheel more than a
half inch they will contact and damage the clock-
spring.
(7) While holding the steering wheel firmly in the
straight-aheadposition, remove the steering wheel
from steering column shaft using a steering wheel
puller (Fig. 43).
(8) Remove the puller from the steering wheel.
(9) If the remote audio switches need removed
from the steering wheel, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
AUDIO/REMOTE SWITCHES - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
(1) If the remote radio switches need to be
installed on the steering wheel, (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/AUDIO/REMOTE SWITCHES - INSTALLA-
TION).
CAUTION: Do not force steering wheel onto steer-
ing column shaft by driving it on. Pull steering
wheel down onto shaft using only the steering
wheel retaining nut.
Fig. 41 Driver Airbag Wiring Connections
1 - DRIVER AIRBAG
2 - SQUIB CONNECTORS
3 - SPEED CONTROL/HORN WIRING CONNECTOR
4 - CLOCKSPRING
Fig. 42 Steering Wheel Mounting
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - REMOTE AUDIO CONTROL WIRING CONNECTOR (IF
EQUIPPED)
3 - RETAINING BOLT
4 - DAMPER
Fig. 43 Steering Wheel Removal
1 - STEERING WHEEL
2 - PULLER
19 - 24 COLUMNRS
STEERING WHEEL (Continued)
(2) Feed and route wiring from clockspring
through upper access hole in steering wheel.
(3) Align master serrations in steering wheel with
omitted spline on steering column shaft (at 12 o'clock
position). Slide the steering wheel onto the steering
column shaft by hand (Fig. 42). Use care not to pinch
any wiring.
NOTE: Before installing the damper on the steering
wheel, inspect the damper to ensure the rubber iso-
lator on the damper is not deteriorated or damaged.
If the damper is installed with a damaged isolator, a
buzz, squeak or rattle condition may develop.
(4) Install the damper on the steering wheel (Fig.
42).
(5) Install the steering wheel retaining bolt.
Tighten the steering wheel retaining bolt to 61 N´m
(45 ft. lbs.) torque.(6) If the steering wheel is equipped with remote
audio controls, connect the wiring connector to the
clockspring (Fig. 42).
(7) Connect the airbag squib wiring connectors to
the airbag and the horn and speed control switch
connector to the clockspring (Fig. 41).
(8) Install the driver airbag in the steering wheel
(Fig. 40). Install and tighten the airbag attaching
screws to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
(9) Connect the battery negative (ground) cable to
battery post following special Diagnosis And Testing
procedure. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS
- DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
(10) Check operation of all steering wheel mounted
components.
(11) Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of
steering.
RSCOLUMN19-25
STEERING WHEEL (Continued)
GEAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
GEAR
DESCRIPTION.........................26
OPERATION...........................26
WARNING
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS.............26
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR.................26
REMOVAL - RHD GEAR................29INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - LHD GEAR.............31
INSTALLATION - RHD GEAR.............33
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER STEERING GEAR..............34
OUTER TIE ROD
REMOVAL.............................34
INSTALLATION.........................35
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.
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.
19 - 26 GEARRS
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).
(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.
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
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)
(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)
(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.
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.
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)
(11) Remove both tie rod ends from steering
knuckles using Puller, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 5).
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
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
19 - 30 GEARRS
GEAR (Continued)