Installation Procedure
- CAUTION:
Only use General Motors approved room temperature vulcanizing sealant (RTV). Failure to use GM approved products may result in insufficient motor to gear sealing, allowing water intrusion which may lead to rack and pinion steering gear failure and require replacement of the rack and pinion steering gear.
CAUTION:Do not over apply room temperature vulcanizing sealant (RTV). Excessive RTV increases the chance of the RTV to come in contact with the belt or gear causing rack and pinion steering gear failure, requiring replacement of the rack and pinion steering gear.
NOTE:RTV cure time is 20 minutes and the following steps must be done within that time frame. Failure to complete within the 20 minute time frame will cause improper sealing of the motor to the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear sealing surface and steps 1 - 13 must be repeated.
Apply a 2.5 mm (0.10 inch) continuous bead of RTV to the motor assembly and follow the outline of the motor valley (1). Do NOT apply into the motor valley. RTV should be applied only to the outer edge of the motor valley outline. Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers
Orient the power steering assist motor (1) to the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear as noted during the removal process.
- Install the power steering assist motor (1) to the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear housing, ensure that the belt slips onto the motor gear easily.
- CAUTION:
This vehicle is equipped with torque-to-yield or single use fasteners. Install a NEW torque-to-yield or single use fastener when installing this component. Failure to replace the torque-to-yield or single use fastener could cause damage to the vehicle or component.
Install by hand 3 NEW power steering assist motor bolts (1).
- Pre-tighten the 3 power steering assist motor bolts (1) in sequence to the first pass specification. Do NOT overtighten. Fastener Specifications
- CAUTION:
When adjusting tension to the steering gear belt, apply light pressure as close to the power steering assist motor mating surface as possible. Do NOT apply pressure to the middle or end of the power steering assist motor, doing so can result in damage to the motor assembly.
Using an appropriate sized flat bladed tool, apply light pressure upwards on the power assist motor (3) while rotating the steering gear input shaft (1) with an appropriate sized open end wrench (2). Verify smooth rotation and that the steering gear belt is correctly seated within the gears.
- NOTE:
During the next steps, keep garage noise away from work area at least 20 feet to avoid microphone interference. If the tool registers a frequency without strumming the belt, move to a quieter place.
Place the frequency microphone (2) in the smaller cover hole and place the body of the GE-50576-A Acoustic Belt Tension Tester (1) on a flat surface or secure it to the steering gear housing and position the microphone (2) of the tester 6 mm (0.25 in) from the steering gear belt. Do NOT allow the microphone (2) to touch the belt or an inaccurate reading will occur. It is acceptable to allow the sides of the microphone (2) to touch the aluminum housing.
Adjust the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt until an average frequency reading between 340 - 420 Hz is achieved.
- Do NOT apply pressure on or near the plastic electronic control unit (ECU) (2).
- Use a flat bladed tool (3) to apply pressure upwards to the power steering assist motor (1) which will tighten the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt increasing the frequency reading.
- Releasing the applied pressure on the power steering assist motor (1) will loosen the tension on the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt decreasing the frequency reading.
- If the GE-50576-A Acoustic Belt Tension Tester does NOT register a reading, lessen the applied pressure as the frequency is too high for a reading.
- It is advisable to apply pressure to a lower frequency around 300 to 320 Hz before tightening the motor fasteners.
Using a small allen wrench (1), pluck the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt (2) three times to get an average belt tension measurement.
- Ensure you grab the edge of the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt.
- The electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt (2) will make a small ping noise when strummed correctly.
Once a frequency reading between 340 - 420 Hz is achieved, tighten the 3 power steering assist motor bolts (1) in sequence to the second pass specification. Do NOT overtighten. Fastener Specifications
Use an appropriate sized open end wrench (2) to rotate the steering gear input shaft (1) and verify smooth rotation. Ensure the belt is still seated within the gears.
- Repeat steps 9 - 11 verifying the frequency reading is still between 340 - 420 Hz.
Once the correct frequency is verified, tighten the 3 power steering assist motor bolts (1) in sequence to:
- Third Pass: Fastener Specifications
- Final Pass: Fastener Specifications
- Verify the frequency reading is still within specifications.
Install NEW small (1) and large (2) steering gear housing covers:
- Using an appropriately sized tool matching the diameter of the cover being installed, gently tap the cover into position within the steering gear assembly.
- Carefully tap the edge of the covers into position ensuring they are fully seated on the internal shoulder.
Remove the tape from the electrical connector (1) that was applied during removal.
- Connect the electrical connector (1) to the power steering assist motor until the lock engages fully.
- Pull back lightly on the electrical connector (1) to ensure the lock is engaged.
Engage the connector position assurance (CPA) (1).
Electric Belt Drive Rack and Pinion Steering Gear (3) - Install
- Steering Gear Bolt (2) - Install NEW [2x]
- Steering Gear Nut (1) - Install and tighten [2x] - Fastener Specifications
Connect the electrical connectors (1).
- Secure the engine wiring harness to the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear using a tie strap.
Intermediate Steering Shaft (2) @ Electric Belt Drive Rack and Pinion Steering Gear - Install
- If a NEW threaded component is being installed, loosen the adhesive using a metal pick or similar tool before proceeding. If threaded component is reused, prepare the threaded component using the following steps:
- Remove any loose cured adhesive from the external threads of the component using a lint free cloth.
- Thread the cleaned component into the internal mating threads and remove to loosen trapped cured adhesive.
- Apply thread locking adhesive to the external threads of the component. Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers
- Ensure there are no gaps in the thread locking adhesive once applied to the component.
- Intermediate Steering Shaft Lower Bolt (1) @ Electric Belt Drive Rack and Pinion Steering Gear - Install and tighten - Fastener Specifications
- CAUTION:
Ensure the Outer Tie Rod Boot is not twisted or deformed during assembly. If the boot is twisted or deformed, damage to the boot will occur.
NOTE:Left side shown, right side similar.
Install left and right steering linkage outer tie rods (1) at the left and right steering knuckles.
- NOTE:
- Left side shown, right side similar.
- Some components not shown for graphic clarity.
Install and tighten the left and right steering linkage outer tie rod nuts (1). Fastener Specifications
Install the front cradle sheer plate (2) between the front bumper fascia center air deflector and the driveline and front suspension cradle and raise into position.
- Ensure that the left and right side wheelhouse liners (1) are positioned in place under the front cradle sheer plate (2).
- Front Wheelhouse Liner Bolt (1) - Install and tighten [2x] - Fastener Specifications
Front Crossmember Brace Bolt (3) - Install and tighten [8x] - Fastener Specifications
- Front Cradle Shear Plate Nut (2) - Install and tighten [2x] - Fastener Specifications
- Front Cradle Shear Plate Bolt (1) - Install and tighten [4x] - Fastener Specifications
- Remove the jack.
Front Bumper Fascia Air Deflector Retainer (2) - Install
- Front Bumper Fascia Air Deflector Bolt (1) - Install and tighten [4x] - Fastener Specifications
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Front Compartment Air Deflector- Left Side and Right Side (1) - Install
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Front Bumper Fascia Lower Stiffener Bolt- Left Side and Right Side (3) - Install and tighten [6x] - Fastener Specifications
- Front Compartment Air Deflector Retainer- Left Side and Right Side (2) - Install [2x]
- Front Wheelhouse Liner Bolt- Left Side and Right Side (1) - Install and tighten [4x] - Fastener Specifications
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Front Brake Rotor Cooling Duct Deflector (1)- Left Side and Right Side - Install
- Front Brake Rotor Cooling Duct Deflector Bolt (2)- Left Side and Right Side - Install and tighten [6x] - Fastener Specifications
- NOTE:
Left side shown, right side similar.
Install the 4 chassis harness retainers (1) on the left and right side.
- Program the power steering control module. Control Module References
- Install the front tire and wheel assemblies. Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
- Lower the vehicle.
- Measure and adjust the front toe. Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment
- Perform the following so the vehicle software relearns the steering center position:
- Raise the front wheels off the ground.
- Start the vehicle.
- Rotate steering wheel to the left lock position and hold tightly for 4 seconds.
- Rotate steering wheel to the right lock position and hold tightly for 4 seconds.
- Repeat steps 50.3 and 50.4.
- Lower the vehicle.
- In an area of adequate size and free of heavy traffic or pedestrians, drive the vehicle 10 - 15 miles MPH turning the steering wheel right and left from the lock to lock positions.
- Ensure the steering wheel turns easily and smoothly without binding or noises.
Refer to Fastener Caution .
This vehicle is equipped with torque-to-yield or single use fasteners. Install a NEW torque-to-yield or single use fastener when installing this component. Failure to replace the torque-to-yield or single use fastener could cause damage to the vehicle or component.