We show the removal of the steering mechanism with power steering.
You can remove the steering gear with or without steering rods.
In the first method, we press out the fingers of the ball joints of the outer tips from the swing arms of the shock absorber struts (see Replacing the outer tie rod end).
In the second method, we disconnect the inner tie rod ends from the steering rack (see Removing the tie rod).
In the cabin…
... with a "12" head, we unscrew the bolt of the terminal connection of the flange of the elastic coupling with the shank of the steering gear and remove the bolt.
Set the front wheels to the straight ahead position.
After disconnecting the mechanical connection between the steering gear shaft and the flexible coupling, the steering wheel must not be turned to avoid damage to the spiral cable connecting the driver's airbag and horn switches to the wiring harness.
In the engine compartment, remove the expansion tank of the cooling system from the studs and set aside (see Removing the expansion tank).
Before disconnecting the hydraulic lines from the crankcase of the steering mechanism, we substitute a wide container under the crankcase to collect fluid.
Using the "18" key, we unscrew the fitting 1 of the drain line pipe and the fitting 2 of the discharge line pipe.
We remove the tips of the tubes of both lines from the holes in the crankcase of the steering mechanism and insert the plugs of a suitable diameter into the holes of the pipes and the crankcase.
With the "12" head, we unscrew the bolt of the upper fastening of the right bracket of the steering mechanism to the front panel..
... and the bottom nut.
Remove the right steering bracket.
Using the same tool, we unscrew the bolt of the upper fastening of the left bracket of the steering mechanism to the bulkhead and the nut of the lower fastening...... and remove the bracket.
Location of steering brackets (for clarity with the engine removed)
We shift the steering gear forward until the gear shank comes out of the flexible coupling flange (instrument panel removed for clarity).
We remove the gear shank from the hole in the front end shield of the body..
... and take out the steering mechanism together with the steering rods through the hole in the left mudguard.
In the second method of dismantling, we take out the steering mechanism without steering rods.
We assemble and install the steering mechanism in the reverse order, be sure to check the middle position of the rack (rectilinear movement of the car).
In this case, the steering wheel must also maintain the position of the rectilinear movement of the car.
This is to ensure that the coiled airbag cable is in the middle position.
The rack is in the middle position when the distance from the inner end of the landing surface of the steering gear housing under the left rubber cushion to the axis of symmetry of the plate is 325 mm (for clarity shown with the steering gear removed).
In this case, the coupling bolt of the terminal connection of the flexible coupling flange with the steering column shaft must be located on top of the steering shaft in a horizontal position.
Pour working fluid into the reservoir of the power steering and remove air from the system (see Bleeding the power steering system).