Manual Steering Gear Installation Details (Mirage Models)
1 - Bolt securing the steering column shaft to the rack and pinion drive pinion axle; 2 - Clamp; 3 - Cotter pin; 4 - Tie rod end ball pin; 5 - Mounting clamp; 6 - Mounting clamp; 7 - Steering gear housing; 8 - Lid; N - Replace
Warning! Some models of vehicles covered in this manual are equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS). Before performing any work near the air bag unit, steering column or instrument panel, turn off the SRS to avoid injury from accidental deployment (see Chapter On-board electrical equipment). The SRS circuit wiring is easily identified by the yellow color of the insulation.
Mirage Models
Removal
1. Steering gear installation details on Mirage models are shown in the accompanying illustration.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
Warning! If the car stereo system is equipped with a security code, make sure you have the correct combination to activate the audio system before disconnecting the battery!
3. Jack up the car and place it on supports. Remove the front wheels.
4. Disconnect the electrical wiring from the oxygen sensor and remove the exhaust pipe.
5. Support/hang up the power unit. Loosen the mounting bolts of both reaction stops of the unit suspension.
6. Remove the four mounting bolts and remove the center beam.
7. Loosen the clamp bolt securing the lower universal joint of the steering column to the input shaft of the rack and pinion, - first mark the installation position of the components.
8. Remove the cotter pins, loosen the castle nuts and release the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.
9. Loosen the mounting clamp bolts and remove the steering gear assembly with the rubber cushions of its supports through the right wheel arch.
Installation
1. Place the steering gear assembly in its regular place - ensure that the shaft mounting marks applied during dismantling are correctly aligned.
2. Install the mounting clamps and tighten the bolts to the required torque (70 Nm).
3. Tighten the lower column shaft to the rack and pinion input shaft clamp bolt to the required torque (18 Nm).
4. Install the center beam.
5. Install the intake pipe of the exhaust system.
6. Connect the electrical wiring to the oxygen sensor.
7. Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles, tighten the castle nuts to the required force and secure them with new cotter pins.
8. Check the front wheel alignment angles and make appropriate adjustments if necessary.