Rack and pinion

TRUCKMASTER69

MEMBER
2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

Six cylinder four wheel drive automatic 75,000 miles.

Procedure to remove and reinstall steering gear assembly and any cautions that may occur.

Thursday, March 18th, 2010 AT 10:26 AM

2 Replies

BRIAN 1

MECHANIC
1,030 POSTS

Raise and support the vehicle.
Install a drain pan under the vehicle.
Remove the tires and wheels.

Remove outer tie rods retaining nuts. Notice: Do not attempt to disconnect a steering linkage joint by driving a wedge between the joint and the attached part. Seal damage may result which will cause premature failure of the joint.

Disconnect the outer tie rods from the steering knuckles using J24319-B.

Remove the lower intermediate shaft retaining bolt from the power steering gear.
Disconnect the lower intermediate shaft from the power steering gear.
Remove the steering gear crossmember.

Remove the power steering hose assembly to the power steering gear retaining bolt.
Remove the power steering hose assembly from the power steering gear.
Support the power steering gear.

Remove the power steering gear mounting bolts.
Remove the power steering gear from the vehicle.
Remove the outer tie rods (2) from the inner tie rods (3).
Installation Procedure

Lubricate the inner tie rod (3) threads with a suitable chassis lubricant before installing the outer tie rod (2).
Install the outer tie rods.
Install the power steering gear to the vehicle. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Install the power steering gear mounting bolts. Tighten the power steering gear mounting bolts to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).

Remove the support from the power steering gear.
Install the power steering hose assembly to the power steering gear.
Install the power steering hose assembly to power steering gear retaining bolt. Tighten the power steering hose assembly to power steering gear retaining bolt to 12 Nm (106 inch lbs.).
Install the steering gear crossmember.

Connect the lower intermediate shaft to the power steering gear.
Install the lower intermediate shaft retaining bolt to the power steering gear. Tighten the lower intermediate shaft pinch bolt to the power steering gear to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).

Connect the outer tie rods to the steering knuckles.
Install the outer tie rods to steering knuckles retaining nuts. Tighten the outer tie rods to steering knuckles retaining nuts to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).
Install the tires and wheels.
Remove the drain pan from under the vehicle.