Steering Gearbox Installation

Special Tools Required 

Subframe adapter VSB02C000016

1. Install the pinion shaft grommet (A) on the valve housing.
   Fig 1: Installing Pinion Shaft Grommet

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
2. Slide the steering gearbox (B) between the front subframe and body from the driver's side. Place the gearbox in position on the front suspension subframe.
3. Rotate the steering gearbox so the pinion shaft (A) points upward.
   Fig 2: Rotating Steering Gearbox So Pinion Shaft Points Upward

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Continue moving the gearbox toward the passenger's side until the steering gearbox is in position. Make sure the power steering return line and feed line are routed above the gearbox.
5. Connect the return hose clip (A).
   Fig 3: Connecting Return Hose Clip

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   EX-L, EX-L Touring models 

6. Install the base bracket (A) on the front subframe (B).
   Fig 4: Installing Base Bracket

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Install the rear mount (A) on the base bracket (B), and connect the connector (C).
   Fig 5: Installing Rear Mount

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Install the rear mount stop (A), then install the rear mount bolt (B).
   Fig 6: Installing Rear Mount Stop

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   VAN, LX, EX models 

9. Install the rear mount bracket (A) on the front subframe (B).
   Fig 7: Installing Rear Mount Bracket

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
10. Install the rear mount bracket bolt (A).
    Fig 8: Installing Rear Mount Bracket Bolt

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Install the steering gearbox bracket mounting bolts (A).
    Fig 9: Installing Steering Gearbox Bracket Mounting Bolts

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Install the two 12 mm flange bolts and nuts on the left side of the gearbox.
    Fig 10: Installing Flange Bolts And Nuts On Left Side Of Gearbox

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Install the two 10 mm flange bolts on the right side of the steering gearbox, then install the mounting bracket (A) and cushion (B).
    Fig 11: Installing Mounting Bracket And Cushion

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
14. Install the P/S heat baffle plate (A).
    Fig 12: Installing P/S Heat Baffle Plate

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
15. Tighten the return hose flare nut (A) to the specified torque, and install the adjustable hose clamp (B) and the return hose (C).
    Fig 13: Tightening Return Hose Flare Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
16. Tighten the feed line flare nut (A) to the specified torque.
    Fig 14: Tightening Feed Line Flare Nut

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
17. Install the P/S line mounting brackets (A) on the front subframe and gearbox mounting bracket.
    Fig 15: Installing P/S Line Mounting Brackets

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
18. Install the front subframe rear bracket (A) with 12 mm flange bolts (B) and 14 mm special bolts (C), and tighten to specified torque.
    Fig 16: Installing Front Subframe Rear Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
19. Install the front subframe front bracket (A) with 12 mm flange bolts (B) and 14 mm special bolts (C), and tighten to specified torque.
    Fig 17: Installing Front Subframe Front Bracket

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
20. Install the front splash shield (A) (see FRONT SPLASH SHIELD REPLACEMENT ).
    Fig 18: Installing Front Splash Shield

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
21. Connect the power steering pressure (PSP) switch connector (A).
    Fig 19: Connecting Power Steering Pressure Switch Connector

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
22. Install exhaust pipe A using new gaskets and new self-locking nuts.
    Fig 20: Installing Exhaust Pipe Using New Gaskets

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
23. Connect the three way catalytic converter (TWC) (A) to the muffler (B). Install the new 10 mm self-locking nuts, and tighten them to specified torque.
    Fig 21: Connecting TWC To Muffler

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
24. Install the exhaust rubber mount on the frame.
    Fig 22: Installing Exhaust Rubber Mount On Frame

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
25. Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Reconnect the tie-rod ends (A) to the steering knuckles. Install the 12 mm nut (B) and tighten it.
    Fig 23: Reconnecting Tie-Rod Ends To Steering Knuckles

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
26. Install a new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown in Fig 23 .
27. Center the steering rack within its stroke.
28. Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering shaft (A) (line up the bolt hole (B) with the flat portion (C) on the shaft), and loosely install the upper joint bolt.
    Fig 24: Inserting Upper End Of Steering Joint Onto Steering Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
29. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft (D) taking care to align the gap (E) within the angle.
30. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower joint bolt (C).
    Fig 25: Aligning Bolt Hole On Steering Joint With Groove Around Pinion Shaft

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
31. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.
32. Tighten the upper joint bolt (D) to the specified torque.
33. Reinstall the steering joint cover (A).
    Fig 26: Reinstalling Steering Joint Cover

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
34. Install the steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION  ).
35. Install the front wheel, then set the wheels in the straight ahead position.
36. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system (seeFLUID REPLACEMENT  ).
37. After installation, do the following checks.
    • Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to warm up to the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks (see FLUID LEAKAGE INSPECTION  ).
    • Do the front toe inspection (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).
    • Check the steering wheel spoke angle. Adjust by turning the right and left tie-rods equally if necessary.