1. Drain the steering fluid (see above).
2. Set the front wheels to the position corresponding to the vehicle moving in a straight direction and remove them.
3. Remove the driver's airbag assembly from the steering wheel (see chapter Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)).
4. Remove the steering wheel (see above).
Before disconnecting the joints, the steering wheel must be removed, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the spiral wire.
5. Remove the steering column joint cover.
6. Disconnect the joint from the pinion/coupling shaft.
7. Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end to steering knuckle connection area. Loosen the lock nut.
8. Loosen the lock nut so that the nut is aligned with the end of the ball joint pin, and use a special tool to separate the tip from the steering knuckle.
About using a special tool see chapter Front and rear suspension.
9. Remove the tie rod ends on both sides.
10. On 2WD models, move the steering rack to the left as far as it will go, and on 4WD models, move it to the right.
11. Disconnect the automatic transmission control cable from the gearbox (see chapter Automatic transmission).
12. Remove the following components:
- Exhaust pipe A (see chapter Mechanical part of the engine).
- Bracket B of the exhaust pipe (see chapter Mechanical part of the engine).
- Transfer case (4WD models only) (see chapter Automatic transmission).
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13. Remove the fluid return and supply tube clamps from the rear beam.
14. Disconnect the fluid return and supply pipes from the valve block.
To prevent foreign particles from entering the valve block, cover the holes with tape or install plugs.
15. Remove the stiffener and mounting bracket and lower the steering gear onto the rear beam.
16. Remove the pinion/coupling shaft rubber bushing from the valve block.
17. Remove the steering gear from the rear beam.
2WD models:
Move the steering gear completely to the left and lower the right rack end under the rear beam.
Pull the valve block side to the right and remove the cylinder side from the rear beam.
4WD models:
Move the steering gear all the way to the right and lower the left rack end under the rear beam.
Pull the steering to the left and remove the side with the valve block from the rear beam.