OEM 2005 Dodge Caravan Rack And Pinion

2005 Dodge Caravan Rack And Pinion Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Service and Repair a Rack and Pinion in an RHD on 2005 Dodge Caravan?

  A: First, take off the cap on the power steering reservoir and use a siphon pump to drain most of the fluid from it. First, hold the steering column straight to secure the Clock Spring, then place and lock the steering wheel. Cut the connectors between the steering column shaft and the rack and pinion intermediate coupler, keep the vehicle on the ground and then remove both front tire and wheel assemblies. If the vehicle has a special hose, join the end of the hose to the power steering cooler to remove fluid and remove the two bolts that attach the cooler to the cradle crossmember reinforcement. From both ends, take out the nut at the outer tie rod end by first holding the stud in a socket and then turning the nut counterclockwise. Use Puller, Special Tool C-3894-A to get the tie rod ends off of the steering knuckles. On each side, remove the lower control arm rear bushing retainer bolts and pay attention to the different thread sizes of the cradle crossmember reinforcement bolts you find. Release the cradle crossmember reinforcement from the front suspension and from the body and, if there is All-Wheel, take out the power transfer unit. Eliminate the fluid pressure to the power steering hose and remove the hoses from the power steering unit. Carefully remove the heat shield from the rack and pinion and take out both bolts and nuts attaching the rack and pinion to the front suspension cradle. With Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6831A, pull the roll pin and remove the coupler from the rack and pinion shaft. First, put the rack and pinion inside the front suspension cradle, start the pin-lock wire into the piece connecting the shaft with the linkage and then secure it on the rack and pinion shaft with the piece. Attach the roll pin to the coupler using the Remover/Installer and bring the rack and pinion bolt to the cradle with both bolts and nuts, tightening the M-14 bolt to 183 Nm and the M-12 bolt to 95 Nm. Bolt back the heat shield, hook up the power steering hoses to the rack and pinion and fit the routing clamp. Screw the power steering fluid hose tubes nuts until you feel 31 Nm of tension. Take the tie rod end, place it inside the steering knuckle and tighten it using the nut to 75 Nm. If you have All-Wheel as well, reinstall the power transfer unit when you upgrade. Attach the cradle reinforcement to the suspension cradle by putting in bolts and tighten the bolts as directed (M-14 size are set to 163 Nm and M-12 size to 108 Nm). Insert the lower control arm rear bushing retainer bolts, tighten them to 61 Nm, then put the reinforcement and rear cradle crossmember on the vehicle body and tighten them to 163 Nm. If your power steering system includes a cooler, attach the loose hose back to the connector and put on the cooler, securing it with the bolts tightened to 11 Nm. Set the front tire and wheel back in place and fasten the lug nuts so they reach 135 Nm. Lower down the vehicle to get to the interior, align the intermediate shaft with the coupler on the steering column and fasten the coupler with the pinch bolt screwed tight to 28 Nm. Use the steering wheel holding tool to remove the tire, then do the Power Steering Pump Initial Operation to fill and bleed the power steering system, check for leaks and set the toe on the front wheels.