Warning 1. All models. described in this manual are equipped with airbags. Always deactivate airbag units before working in close proximity to airbags (see chapter 12).
Warning 2. Do not turn the steering wheel with the steering gear removed as this may damage the airbag system. To prevent the steering shaft from turning, place the front wheels in a straight-ahead position and remove the ignition key, or slip the seat belt over the steering wheel and fasten it.
1. Set the vehicle's wheels to the straight ahead position. Loosen the nuts securing the front wheels, raise the front of the car and place it on supports. Apply the parking brake. then remove the wheels.
2. Pull up the engine by the upper lifting eyes. This can be done with a hoist.
3. Disconnect the tips from the steering rods (see paragraph 16).
4. Remove the mudguards covering the bottom of the engine compartment.
5. Remove the cross beam (see chapter 7).
6. Remove the transmission support (see chapter 7).
7. On models with a 6-cylinder engine, disconnect the oxygen sensor connectors.
8. On models with a 6-cylinder engine, disconnect the exhaust pipes from the exhaust manifold and move them to the side (see chapter 6).
9. Place a container under the steering gear. Disconnect pressure and drain hoses (fig 18.9) and plug all openings to prevent fluid from escaping and contaminating the system.
10. Inside the car, remove the cover of the universal joint of the steering shaft. Mark the position of the lower driveline section relative to the pinion shaft. Turn out the lower coupling bolt of an intermediate section of a steering shaft.
11. Disconnect the ground wire from the rear engine mount.
12. Turn out three bolts of an arm of a back support of the engine (see chapter 2A or 2B). Remove the rear engine mount.
13. In models with a manual transmission, disconnect the support from the gearbox and move it to the side (see chapter 7A).
14. Place a hydraulic jack under the center of the subframe (or place jack stands under the inner pivot points of the suspension arms to support the subframe). While supporting the subframe, remove the four bolts and two nuts securing it.
Warning! When performing this operation, do not stand under the subframe or under the front of the vehicle.
15. Remove the anti-roll bar (see paragraph 6).
16. Turn out bolts of fastening of the steering mechanism (pic. 18.16). Disconnect the intermediate shaft from the gear shaft, then remove the gear from the vehicle.
17. Inspect rubber steering gear mounts and replace if worn or damaged.
Installation
Note. Before installing the steering gear, set it to the middle position.
18. Install the steering gear in place and connect it to the cardan joint in accordance with the marks.
19. Install the mounting brackets, insert the bolts and tighten them to the required torque.
20. Connect the ventilation tube of the mechanism.
21. Install the anti-roll bar (see paragraph 6).
22. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles (see paragraph 16).
23. Insert the cardan joint coupling bolt and tighten it to the required torque.
24. Connect the pressure and drain hoses to the mechanism and fill the reservoir of the power steering hydraulic system with the recommended fluid (see chapter 1).
25. Installation of other components is made in sequence, return to removal.
26. Tighten all fastenings of components of a suspension bracket and the steering mechanism the demanded moment. The tightening torques for the cross member and gearbox support are given at the beginning chapter 7. The tightening torque for the subframe fasteners is given at the beginning of this chapter.
27. Install the wheels, tighten the fastening nuts and lower the car. Tighten the wheel nuts to the required torque (see technical data at the beginning of chapter 1). Bleed air from power steering hydraulic system (see paragraph 20).