Steering Gear: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Toyota RAV4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

POSITION FRONT WHEELS FACING STRAIGHT AHEAD
DISCONNECT CABLE FROM NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL
CAUTION: Wait at least 90 seconds after disconnecting the cable from the negative (-) battery terminal to prevent airbag and seat belt pretensioner activation.
REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
DISCONNECT TIE ROD END SUB-ASSEMBLY LH
1. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut.
2. Using SST, disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
  SST 09628-62011
  
  NOTE: Do not damage the tie rod end dust cover.
DISCONNECT TIE ROD END SUB-ASSEMBLY RH
HINT:

Use the same procedure for the RH side as for the LH side.

Fig 1: Disconnecting Tie Rod End From Steering Knuckle
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
REMOVE COLUMN HOLE COVER SILENCER SHEET
1. Remove the floor carpet, 2 clips and column hole cover silencer.
  
  Fig 2: Removing Column Hole Cover Silencer Sheet
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
DISCONNECT STEERING SLIDING YOKE SUB-ASSEMBLY
1. Use a seat belt to fix the steering wheel in place to avoid breakage of the spiral cable.
  
  Fig 3: Securing Steering Wheel Using Seat Belt
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Place matchmarks on the sliding yoke of the steering intermediate shaft.
3. Remove the bolt and disconnect the sliding yoke.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Matchmarks On Sliding Yoke Of Steering Intermediate Shaft
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
DISCONNECT NO. 1 STEERING COLUMN HOLE COVER SUB-ASSEMBLY
1. Remove clip A, detach clip B from the body and disconnect the No. 1 steering column hole cover.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Clip A, Detach Clip B At Steering Column Hole Cover Sub-Assembly From Body
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE: Do not damage clips A and B.
REMOVE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WITH TRANSAXLE
1. Remove the engine with transaxle:
  For 2AZ-FE, see REMOVAL .
  
  For 2GR-FE, see REMOVAL .
REMOVE NO. 1 STEERING COLUMN HOLE COVER SUB-ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the clamp and disconnect the column hole cover from the steering gear. (See Fig 5).
REMOVE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
1. Place matchmarks on the intermediate shaft of the steering gear. (See Fig 6).
2. Remove the bolt and disconnect the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
  
  Fig 6: Placing Matchmarks On Intermediate Shaft Of Steering Gear
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
REMOVE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the 2 bolts, 2 nuts and steering gear from the suspension crossmember.
  NOTE: Keep the nut from rotating while turning the bolt.
  
  Fig 7: Removing/ Installing Steering Gear Assembly At Suspension Crossmember
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002