Note. When installing, you will need new nuts and bolts for securing the steering gear.
Block the rear wheels, apply the handbrake, then jack up the front of the vehicle and set it on axle stands. Remove the front wheels.
Removing
Steering gear without power
1. Remove the nuts securing the tie rod ball joints to the steering knuckles. Release the hinge pins using a special puller (refer to accompanying illustration).
2. Working under the vehicle, release the mounting bracket (where available) and fold back the protective rubber boot to access the lower steering column shaft universal joint. Mark the universal joint and steering gear with paint or a marker. Loosen and remove the nut and bolt of the clamp holding the pivot to the gear.
3. Remove the two nuts securing the steering gear assembly to the subframe. Separate the steering gear from the universal joint and remove the assembly from under the vehicle. Remove the rubber boot. Throw away the fixing nuts and bolts - they must be replaced.
Power steering
1. Remove a reception pipe of the muffler/converter as it is described in the Head Power and exhaust systems. If necessary, remove the air cleaner cover to allow easier access to the steering gear assembly.
2. Follow the steps described in paragraphs 2 and 3 above.
Warning: On vehicles equipped with an airbag, before removing the column shaft, place the wheels in the "directly" and lock the steering wheel with a suitable tool. If this is not done, the airbag wiring contact block will be damaged.
3. Using special clamps, pinch the supply and return hoses of the mechanism near the reservoir of the hydraulic system of the amplifier. This will reduce fluid loss during the next steps.
4. Mark the hoses with respect to the couplings so as not to mix them up during installation. Turn away connecting nuts of tubes on assemblage of the steering mechanism. Be prepared for liquid to come out and place a suitable container under the ends of the tubes. Separate both tubes and plug their ends and steering gear holes to prevent further loss of fluid. Remove the o-rings from the union nuts and discard them - they must be replaced.
5. Remove the nuts/bolts securing the supply and return tubes to the subframe and move the tubes away from the steering gear.
6. Turn away fixing bolts and nuts of the steering mechanism, then remove halves of assembly clips and rubber plugs (refer to accompanying illustration). Throw away the fixing nuts and bolts - they must be replaced.
7. On Scenic models, remove the bolt securing the lower arm brace to the left front fender side member and the nut securing it to the arm itself. Remove the stretch from the car.
8. Separate the steering gear from the universal joint, then remove the mechanism assembly from under the vehicle. Note that on Scenic models it may be necessary to have an assistant move the engine/transmission forward as far as possible.
Inspection
1. Inspect the steering gear assembly for damage and signs of wear, and ensure that the rack moves through its full travel freely and without excessive play between gear and rack. On models with power steering, inspect all steering gear couplings for leaks and make sure their nuts are securely tightened.
2. The bulkhead of the steering mechanism is not possible. The only replaceable components are the protective covers, tie rod ball joints and the tie rods themselves.
Installation
Steering gear without power
1. Place steering gear and rubber boot in working position. Install the universal joint on the grooves of the steering gear, aligning the marks made before removal.
2. Insert new mounting bolts, then screw on the nuts and tighten them to the Specifications effort.
3. Install the pinch bolt and universal joint nut and tighten to the specified torque. Move the protective cover to the working position and attach it with a new tie.
4. Establish spherical hinges of steering draughts in rotary fists and tighten their fixing nuts with the regulated effort of an inhaling.
5. Install the wheels, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to Specifications effort.
6. Finally, check and, if necessary, adjust the front wheel alignment as described in Section Wheel alignment.
Power steering
1. Move steering gear assembly and rubber boot into position. Install the universal joint on the grooves of the steering gear, aligning the marks made before removal.
2. Fit the rubber grommets to the mechanism and place the mounting clip halves into position. Install new fixing bolts and nuts and hand tighten for now.
3. Install new o-rings on the nuts of the steering gear couplings and connect to the tube mechanism. Screw in each union nut a few turns, then install the nuts/bolts of the tube retaining brackets, but do not tighten them yet.
4. Tighten the fixing bolts and nuts of the steering mechanism given in Specifications force, then tighten the connecting nuts of the tubes. Then securely tighten the nuts/bolts of the tube brackets.
5. Install the universal joint pinch bolt and tighten its nut to Specifications effort. Move the protective cover to the working position.
6. Insert the ball joints of the steering rods into the steering knuckles and tighten their fixing nuts given in Specifications effort.
7. Where available, install lower arm extension.
8. Install the muffler/converter downpipe and (where deleted) air filter housing as described in Chapter Power and exhaust systems.
9. Install the wheels, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to the specifications Specifications effort.
10. Remove the clamps from the hoses and bleed the booster hydraulic system as described in Section Bleeding the hydraulic system of the power steering.
11. Finally, check and, if necessary, adjust the toe-in of the front wheels as described in Section Wheel alignment.