OEM Dodge Caliber Rack And Pinion

Dodge Caliber Rack And Pinion Parts and Q&A

• Steering Gear
  5154514AC
  Q: How to Install a Rack and Pinion System to Ensure Proper Alignment and Functionality on Dodge Caliber?

  A:

  At first, rotate the stabilizer bar up and place the rack and pinion on the crossmember and use two bolts to attach it, tightening them to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.). Replace the dash seals where needed and position the power steering rack at its center point. Be sure to attach the front suspension crossmember to the body at the same spots it was on previously to prevent changing wheel alignment. Support the crossmember with a transmission jack, fixing it at the proper positions and look at the seals at the dash panel while you make adjustments if needed. Fasten the crossmember to the body with four bolts torqued to 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.). After that, take out the transmission jack. Place the retainers onto the top of the stabilizer bar cushions and tighten the four screws to 30 Nm or 22 ft. lbs. Route the Power Steering Hose using its own clamp to the crossmember and use an additional push clip or screw on the left, tightening to 8 Nm (71 in. lbs.). The pressure hose goes on the rack, making sure to tighten its tube nut to 32 Nm (24 ft. lbs.) and repeat for the return hose at 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.). Place the heat shield and screw it down on the crossmember with three bolts, using a torque wrench to tighten the front two bolts to 4 Nm (35 in. lbs.) and the one at the back to 17 Nm (150 in. lbs.). Install the steady points for the engine through-bolt and then, if available, install the underneath engine support panel. Examine the tie rod seal boot before installing the outer Tie Rod End, though, if the end is damaged, swap it out. Put the tie rod end outer piece into the knuckle arm, secure it with a new nut started onto the stud and keep tightening it until it reaches 132 Nm (97 ft. lbs.). Install the wheel and tire unit, make sure the wheel mounting nuts are at 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) and then take out the Steering Wheel holder when you've lowered the car. Have the front wheels facing forward, set the entire shaft in the middle of the rack and pinion pinion shaft and place it onto the shaft. Turn the steering wheel right about 90° and fasten the intermediate shaft coupling bolt to 42 Nm (31 ft. lbs.). Shift the floor carpet to the correct place, correct the steering wheel angle, bleed the power steering, look for any leaks and ensure the front wheels toe is correct.
• Steering Gear
  5154519AC
  Q: How to Remove a Rack and Pinion Steering Gear on Dodge Caliber?

  A:

  It helps to first drain more than half of the power steering fluid from the pump. Move the floor carpeting a bit to uncover the intermediate shaft coupling just beneath the column. Correctly place the front wheels and then turn the Steering Wheel to the right so you can reach the bolt on the bottom of the steering column's shaft without detaching the shaft from the rack and pinion on the back. After that, make sure the front wheels and steering wheel are in the center position, then close the steering wheel in a holder to preserve how the Clock Springs are located. Lift and hold up the car, remove the nuts from the wheel mounting spots and remove the tire and wheel assembly. On both sides of the rack and pinion, lose the nut from the outer Tie Rod End at the knuckle and then use Ball Joint Remover 9360 or other tools to separate the tie rod end at the ball joint. If you're working with an engine belly pan, take it off and also take out the rear Engine Mount and the front engine mount through-bolt. Remove the shield from the car by taking off the three bolts that attach it to the lowest crossmember. First remove both the return and pressure hoses at the rack and pinion, then take out the screws holding the Power Steering Hose to the frame and finish by removing the two retainers for the stabilizer bushes. Mark each front crossmember mounting site on the body where the bolts go so that you place it correctly. Using a transmission jack, raise the front crossmember, remove the four bolts holding it and drop it down enough for you to work on the intermediate shaft coupling at the pinion of the rack and pinion. As required, unbolt the stabilizer bar and remove the seals holding everything together, then remove the two bolts holding the rack and pinion to the crossmember, lift the end of the stabilizer bar upward and take out the rack and pinion from the crossmember.