OEM 2001 Jeep Cherokee Rack And Pinion

2001 Jeep Cherokee Rack And Pinion Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install a Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on 2001 Jeep Cherokee?

  A: Before taking out the rack and pinion, open the hood, disconnect the negative battery cable, put the wheels forward and turn on the key to lock the steering wheel. Place the vehicle on a hoist and then remove the front splash shield. Unplug and limit the power steering's high- and low-pressure hoses, after that remove the steering column cap bolt found behind the hoses. Pull the steering shaft away from the rack and pinion, remove the Pitman arm from the rack and pinion and then eliminate the retaining bolts to free the rack and pinion. To install the rack and pinion, put it on the frame rail and install the holding bolts, tightening them to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.). Set a brand new pinch bolt in the steering column shaft coupler, install it on the rack and pinion and secure it with 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.) of torque. Then, torque the nut of the Pitman arm to the rack and pinion to 251 Nm (185 ft. lbs.). Install the rack and pinion's pressure and return lines back into the power steering, tightening them with 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.) of torque and replace the front splash shield. Fill the power steering to the recommended level, reconnect the negative cable in the battery and adjust the vehicle front end alignment if needed.