OEM 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Rack And Pinion

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Rack And Pinion Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Remove and Install a Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A: The first step is to have the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, fix it with a steering wheel holder and lock the clock spring in place. Pull out the silencer pad and remove the knee blocker, after that, unfasten the steering column coupling retainer pin and pinch bolt, so you can separate the upper and lower couplings. Lift up the car and take off both front tires and wheels. Remove the outer tie rods from the steering knuckles using a crowfoot wrench and next, take off the tie rod heat shields. Cut the wiring harness from the power steering fluid pressure switch, delink the tube nut with the power steering fluid pressure hose and take out the cooler hose. Remove the cooler tube from its side clip and unscrew the supports from the front suspension crossmember so the cooler dangles. Pull the pencil strut and the washer next to it, after that release the front fascia bolts and take out the drive-belt shield. Remove the fasteners holding the splash shield down and the bolt tied to the engine torque strut. Mark the front suspension crossmember area, then place the transmission jack beneath it and loosen the six holding bolts on the frame rails, while retaining the lower control arm bolts. Allow the crossmember to hang lower by raising the car, then remove the attachments of the steering column lower coupling to the rack and pinion shaft and the rack and pinion shaft seal. Unscrew and take off the four bolts that hold the power steering rack and pinion to the front suspension crossmember. The rack and pinion is fitted to the crossmember and secured with four bolts that should be tightened to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.). Add the rack and pinion shaft dash cover seal, direct the lower coupling onto the rack and pinion shaft and then slide the roll pin in place. Guide the power steering rack and pinion so it is centered, install the crossmember and gear and work the lower coupling for the steering column through your dash panel as the assembly is raised. Screw in the two lower control arm bolts and add the four other mounting bolts, but don't tighten them tightly; secure to 2 Nm (20 inch lbs.). Match the crossmember with the marks you placed and fasten the lower control arm bolts to 250 Nm (185 ft. lbs.) and the rest to 153 Nm (113 ft. lbs.). Assemble the drive-belt splash shield and front fascia screws, reinstall both the engine torque strut and pencil strut. After cleaning the hose ends, put a new pressure hose O-ring in place and oil it with power steering fluid. Snap your cooler tube into the correct clip, then tighten the clamp screws to 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.) Make sure the hoses are connected and carefully route the pressure hose, tighten it to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.). Attach the wiring harness connector again and add the heat shields to the tie rods, then secure the outer tie rods and fasten the nuts to 55 Nm (40 ft. lbs.). Reassemble the rims with its tires, screwing the nuts in until they reach 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) and then lower the vehicle. Put on the dash-to-lower coupling seal and reconnect the steering column lower coupling, tightening the pinch bolt nut to a value of 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.) and fastening the retainer pin. Take off the steering wheel holder, inspect the lower coupling, add them back, initially operate the power steering pump, check for signs of leaking fluid and check the front toe setting.