Steering System - Power Acura SLX I

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

The power-assisted recirculating ball steering system consists of power steering gear assembly, hydraulic pump and hydraulic lines. Oil pump and fluid reservoir are remotely mounted.

On all models, power steering gear is an integral type, consisting of conventional ball/screw-type steering gear. The gear unit combines with a rotary and torsion bar-type control valve and power cylinder. The belt-driven oil pump is a constant-delivery, vane-type.

Scheme 1

1. With engine off, disconnect pressure hose from pump. Install power steering pressure gauge and shutoff valve between pump and steering gear unit. Gauge must be between pump and shutoff valve. (Scheme 1) Bleed power steering system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under LUBRICATION. CAUTION: DO NOT hold steering wheel at full-lock position for more than 5 seconds. Internal pump damage will result.
2. Ensure pressure gauge shutoff valve is open. Start engine and let idle for at least 2 minutes. Check fluid level in reservoir and refill if needed. Turn steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times until fluid has reached normal operating temperature. Have another technician hold steering wheel at full-lock position for less than 5 seconds. CAUTION: DO NOT close shutoff valve for more than 5 seconds. Severe pump damage will result.
3. Record pressure reading. If fluid pressure is greater than specified, a restriction is present or pump may be faulty. See «POWER STEERING PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table. If fluid pressure is less than specified, return front wheels to straight-ahead position. Increase and hold engine speed at 1500 RPM. Close and open pressure gauge shutoff valve 3 times.
4. Check and record highest pressure gauge readings. If pressure reading is within specification, steering gear box is faulty. If reading is less than specified, pump is faulty.

POWER STEERING PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS

CAPACITY

POWER STEERING FLUID CAPACITY

FLUID TYPE

FLUID TYPE

FLUID LEVEL CHECK

Fluid level should be checked with engine and fluid at normal operating temperature. To check and fill, remove dipstick cap on oil pump assembly or remote reservoir, and check fluid level. Fluid level should be between HOT and COLD marks on dipstick cap, or within MIN and MAX marks on remote reservoir. Add fluid as needed. With engine running, turn steering wheel lock-to-lock several times. Turn engine off and recheck fluid level. Refill as necessary. DO NOT overfill.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING

Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper

1. Fill fluid reservoir and let settle for at least 2 minutes. Start engine (DO NOT turn steering wheel) and let idle for a few seconds. Turn engine off. Add fluid if necessary. Repeat procedure until fluid level remains constant after running engine.
2. Raise and support front of vehicle. Start engine and turn steering wheel slowly to right and left, lightly contacting wheel stops. Add fluid if necessary. Lower vehicle, turn steering wheel lock-to-lock 2-3 times and return to straight-ahead position. Turn engine off. Check fluid level and fill if necessary. If fluid is foamy, wait a few minutes, then repeat procedure.

Hombre

1. Turn ignition off. Raise and support front of vehicle. Turn steering wheel full left. Fill fluid reservoir to FULL COLD and leave cap off. With engine off, turn steering wheel lock-to-lock at least 20 times. Check fluid level and fill as necessary. Repeat procedure until no air bubbles are present.
2. Start engine and let idle. Ensure fluid level is okay. Top off if necessary. Reinstall cap. Return steering wheel to straight-ahead position and lower vehicle. Allow engine to run for 2 minutes. Turn steering wheel in both directions to ensure smooth and quiet operation.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL AFTER REPAIR

Raise and support front of vehicle. Fill fluid reservoir. Wait 2-3 minutes and refill. Start engine (DO NOT turn steering wheel) and let idle for a few seconds. Turn engine off. Check fluid level. Refill as necessary. Bleed power steering system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING .

POWER STEERING PUMP BELT

POWER STEERING PUMP BELT SPECIFICATIONS (1)

STEERING GEAR FREE PLAY

Note. On Hombre, on-vehicle adjustments are not recommended. Adjustments are to be made only for corrections and not as a periodic adjustment. See WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD and PITMAN SHAFT OVER-CENTER PRELOAD.

1. Start engine and let idle. With front wheels in straight-ahead position and steering wheel centered, turn steering wheel in both directions to determine amount of free play. Free play should be as specified. See «STEERING GEAR FREE PLAY SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table.
2. If free play exceeds specification, loosen lock nut on top cover. (Scheme 2) Turn adjustment screw until steering wheel free play is within specification. Tighten lock nut to 30 ft. lbs. (41 N.m). For additional adjustment procedures, see POWER STEERING GEAR (PICKUP, RODEO & TROOPER) under OVERHAUL.

STEERING GEAR FREE PLAY SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 2

PITMAN SHAFT OVER-CENTER PRELOAD

Note. Pitman shaft over-center preload is adjusted with steering gear removed from vehicle. See POWER STEERING GEAR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

1. With worm bearing preload adjusted, rotate stub shaft slowly from stop-to-stop while counting total number of turns. With stub shaft positioned at either stop, rotate stub shaft back 2/3 total number of turns counted. Stub shaft should be back to exact center position. Flat on stub shaft should be facing upward and parallel to side cover, and master spline on pitman shaft should be aligned with adjuster screw.
2. Turn pitman shaft adjuster screw counterclockwise until extended, then back off one full turn. Place an INCH-lb. torque wrench in vertical position on end of stub shaft. Measure gear over-center torque by rotating torque wrench attached to stub shaft in a 90-degree arc, 45 degrees on each side of center. (Scheme 3) Record highest degree of arc on each side of center. Record highest reading.
3. Turn adjuster screw in until torque required to rotate stub shaft is 6-10 INCH lbs. (.6-1.1 N.m) greater than reading in step 2). Continue adjustment until over-center reading is within specification. See «LASH ADJUSTMENT PRELOAD»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power) table. Tighten adjuster screw lock nut when reading is obtained.

LASH ADJUSTMENT PRELOAD

Scheme 3

WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD

Note. Worm thrust bearing preload is adjusted with steering gear removed from vehicle. See POWER STEERING GEAR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

1. Remove worm bearing adjuster lock nut. (Scheme 4) Using a spanner wrench, turn adjuster plug clockwise until plug is seated in housing. Torque should be about 20 ft. lbs. (27 N.m).
2. Index mark housing even with one hole in adjuster plug. (Scheme 5) Measure back 1/2" counterclockwise from first index mark. Mark housing with second index mark. Rotate adjuster plug back counterclockwise until hole in adjuster plug aligns with second index mark on housing. Install and tighten adjuster plug lock nut. Ensure adjuster plug remains in position.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Removal (Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper)

Disconnect hoses at pump. Cap hoses to prevent contamination and drainage of fluid. Cap pump fittings to prevent contamination. Loosen bracket-to-pump mounting bolts. Remove pump belt(s). Remove brackets from pump. Remove pump.

Installation (Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Adjust belts (if necessary). See POWER STEERING PUMP BELT under ADJUSTMENTS. Refill fluid reservoir and bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under LUBRICATION. Check for leaks.

Removal (Hombre)

Disconnect hoses at pump. Cap hoses to prevent contamination and drainage of fluid. Cap pump fittings to prevent contamination. Loosen belt tensioner and remove belt. Using Pulley Remover (J-25034-B), remove pulley. Remove engine-to-pump bracket. Remove front mounting bolts, and remove pump.

Installation (Hombre)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Install pulley using Pulley Installer (J-25033-B). Refill fluid reservoir and bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under LUBRICATION. Check for leaks.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine splash shield and lower fan shroud (if necessary). Clean steering gear. Disconnect hoses at steering gear. Cap or plug all openings to prevent contamination. Wire hoses aside to prevent fluid drainage. NOTE: Before removing steering shaft coupler from stub shaft on steering gear, make reference marks on coupler and shaft for installation reference.
2. Remove stabilizer bar. Remove steering shaft coupler pinch bolt. Remove pitman arm nut and washer. Using Puller (J-29107-A), separate pitman arm from steering gear sector shaft. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts. Remove steering gear from vehicle.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Refill fluid reservoir and bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under LUBRICATION. Check for leaks.

1. Disconnect hoses at steering gear. Cap or plug all openings to prevent contamination. Wire hoses aside to prevent fluid drainage. NOTE: Before removing steering shaft coupler from stub shaft on steering gear, make reference marks on coupler and shaft for installation reference.
2. Remove steering shaft shield. Remove steering shaft coupler pinch bolt. Remove pitman arm nut and washer. Using Puller (J-29107-A), separate pitman arm from steering gear sector shaft. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts. Remove steering gear from vehicle.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Refill fluid reservoir and bleed system. See HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING under LUBRICATION. Check for leaks.

POWER STEERING GEAR (HOMBRE)

Disassembly

1. Mount steering gear in vise, clamping onto one mounting tab. Pitman shaft should be in a vertical position. Insert punch through housing access hole to unseat retaining ring. Pry retaining ring out of groove in housing.
2. Rotate stub shaft counterclockwise to force housing end plug from housing. (Scheme 4) Remove seals and ring. Using Rack Piston Arbor (J-21552) and socket, remove rack piston end plug from rack piston.
3. Remove side cover bolts. Remove pitman shaft nut and spring washer from lower end of shaft retaining pitman arm. Remove pitman shaft and side cover assembly. Remove pitman shaft adjuster screw lock nut. Remove pitman shaft side cover. Remove gasket from side cover.
4. Remove pitman shaft lower dust seal and rubber boot (if equipped). Using snap-ring pliers, remove pitman shaft lower retaining ring. Remove pitman shaft lower seals and washers. Using Pitman Shaft Bearing Puller (J-6278), remove pitman shaft bearing from housing.
5. Insert Rack Piston Arbor (J-21552) into end of rack piston assembly until arbor seats into end of worm shaft. Threaded arbor will keep recirculating balls from falling out of rack piston. Rotate stub shaft counterclockwise, forcing rack piston onto arbor. Remove rack piston and arbor assembly. Ensure arbor is fully inserted so recirculating balls will not fall out.
6. Remove adjuster plug lock nut. Using spanner wrench, remove adjuster plug. Remove valve body, stub shaft, worm shaft, seal, bearing races and worm bearing assembly from housing. If further disassembly is required, see appropriate component under OVERHAUL.

Inspection

Clean components using solvent, and blow dry. Avoid wiping valve components using cloth. Lint may cause binding of mechanism. DO NOT steam clean hydraulic parts.

Reassembly

1. Lubricate components with power steering fluid before reassembly. Install valve body, stub shaft and worm shaft assembly into housing.
2. Place seal protector over stub shaft. Install adjuster plug until it seats against valve body. Remove seal protector from housing and loosely install adjuster plug lock nut. Insert rack piston (with arbor to retain recirculating balls) into housing. Align worm shaft and rack piston. Turn stub shaft clockwise to engage worm shaft. Maintain pressure on arbor until worm shaft is fully engaged. Remove arbor.
3. Install NEW pitman shaft side cover gasket. Thread pitman shaft side cover onto adjuster screw until it bottoms. Back off 1/2 turn. Install pitman shaft so center sector gear tooth meshes with center groove in rack piston. Install side cover bolts.
4. Install adjuster screw lock nut halfway onto pitman shaft. Install rack piston end plug in rack piston. Install housing end plug seals, ring, end plug and retaining ring. Adjust worm shaft bearing preload and over-center preload. See WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD and PITMAN SHAFT OVER-CENTER PRELOAD under ADJUSTMENTS.

Using snap-ring pliers, remove adjuster plug retaining ring. Remove adjuster plug washer and seal. Using screwdriver, pry up bearing retainer at raised area. Using Bearing Remover (J-8524-1) and Driver (J-7079-2), remove bearing from adjuster plug. (Scheme 4)

Inspect bearings and races for scoring, pitting and wear. Inspect adjuster plug threads for damage.

Using Bearing Remover (J-8524-1) and Driver (J-7079-2), install bearing into adjuster plug. Install bearing retainer. Lubricate seal with power steering fluid. Install adjuster plug seal, washer and retaining ring.

Note. Retainer projections must not extend beyond washer when retaining ring is seated. Adjuster plug washer must be free to rotate.

1. Mark position of worm bearing races and bearing to worm shaft. Mark position of worm shaft notches to valve body. Remove worm shaft from valve body and stub shaft assembly. Remove stub shaft seal. Remove worm bearing races and bearing from worm shaft. (Scheme 4)
2. Lightly tap end of stub shaft against wood block until shaft cap is free of valve body. Pull stub shaft outward until drive pin hole is visible. (Scheme 6) CAUTION: DO NOT pull shaft more than 1/4" (6 mm), or spool valve may become cocked in valve body. DO NOT force stub shaft or valve spool out of valve body.
3. Disengage drive pin. Remove stub shaft from valve body. Rotate and remove valve spool from valve body. If binding occurs, realign valves. Remove spool valve seal. Remove valve body rings and seals.

Scheme 6

1. Clean components using solvent, and blow dry. Inspect stub shaft for nicks and burrs. Remove nicks and burrs using crocus cloth if possible. Inspect shaft pin for wear and cracks.
2. Check valve spool fit in valve body. Remove nicks and burrs using crocus cloth if possible. Lubricate valve spool with power steering fluid. Rotate valve spool in valve body. If valve spool does not rotate freely, replace complete valve and stub shaft assembly.
3. Valve assembly is balanced during assembly. If replacing any components other than rings or seals, replace complete valve and stub shaft assembly.

1. Lubricate valve body components with power steering fluid. Install NEW rings and seals. Lubricate spool valve seals with power steering fluid and install on valve spool. Carefully insert valve spool into valve body.
2. Push valve spool through valve body until locating pin hole is visible at opposite end of valve body, and valve spool is flush with notched end of valve body. Install stub shaft into valve spool and valve body.
3. Align stub shaft locating pin with valve spool locating hole. Align notch in stub shaft cap with pin in valve body. Install stub shaft seal into valve body. CAUTION: Before installing assembled valve body into gear housing, ensure valve body stub shaft locating pin is fully engaged in stub shaft cap notch. DO NOT allow stub shaft to disengage from valve body pin.
4. Install bearing and races on worm shaft, aligning marks made during disassembly. (Scheme 4) Install worm shaft onto valve body and stub shaft assembly, aligning notches made during disassembly.

Remove ball guide clamp screws and clamps. Remove ball guides. Remove all recirculating balls from rack piston. (Scheme 4)

Clean components using solvent, and blow dry. Inspect rack piston grooves for scoring. Inspect ball bearings for damage. If any ball bearings are damaged, replace entire set. Check ball guides for cracks or dented ends. Inspect rack piston teeth for chips, cracks, dents and scoring. If rack piston is damaged, replace rack piston and worm shaft as an assembly.

1. Lubricate seals and ring with power steering fluid and carefully install onto rack piston. Install worm shaft into rack piston until worm shaft touches piston shoulder. While turning worm shaft counterclockwise, insert ball bearings into rack piston. NOTE: Ensure light and dark colored balls are installed alternately; Black balls are.0005" (.013 mm) smaller than Silver balls.
2. Install 6 balls in ball guide, alternating ball colors. Bearings in guide must be in sequence with bearings in rack piston. Hold balls in place with chassis lubricant. Install return ball guide assembly into position.
3. Install clamp. Tighten clamp screws. (Scheme 7) Insert Rack Piston Arbor (J-21552) into rack piston until it contacts worm shaft. Maintain pressure on arbor, and back worm shaft out of rack piston. DO NOT allow ball bearings to drop out.

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

1. Mount steering gear in vise at lower mounting flange. Remove dust cover from stub shaft. Ensure stub shaft and splines are clean. Remove retaining ring and back-up ring from housing. (Scheme 8)
2. Remove stub shaft oil seal by plugging hose fitting on inlet side and lightly applying compressed air through outlet side fitting. Remove top cover adjusting screw lock nut.
3. Turn adjusting screw counterclockwise to remove preload between sector gear and rack piston. Remove top cover bolts. Hold top cover stationary while turning adjusting screw clockwise to raise and free top cover from housing.
4. Remove top cover "O" ring and sector shaft needle bearing. Ensure lower sector shaft (spline) is clean of dirt, rust and paint to allow shaft to pass through housing bushing without binding. CAUTION: DO NOT drive sector shaft out with hammer or other impact tool.
5. Rotate sector shaft to allow worm teeth to clear housing for shaft removal. (Scheme 9) Remove sector shaft from housing. Sector shaft should slide out of housing if worm teeth do not bind on housing and spline shaft is clean. DO NOT hammer on sector shaft to remove. NOTE: Always keep ball screw and valve housing assembly in a horizontal position. If held vertically, rack piston will fall off of worm shaft and balls will separate.
6. Remove 4 valve housing-to-gear housing bolts. Remove ball screw and valve housing (with valve assembly) from gear housing. Remove valve housing "O" rings, piston seal ring, piston "O" ring and top cover "O" ring. Using a wire, remove sector shaft seals. Discard "O" rings.

Wash all parts in solvent. Check all parts for wear, chipping or other damage. If any internal parts are damaged, entire ball screw and valve housing parts should be replaced as an assembly. Oil seal, hose fitting and dust cover may be replaced individually.

Scheme 10

1. If sector shaft bearing was removed, install NEW bearing flush with the recessed face of housing and with name of bearing facing out toward top cover.
2. Install sector shaft seal ring and dust seal ring in housing. Apply a thin coat of grease to lip of seals and "O" rings. Install valve housing "O" ring, piston "O" ring and piston seal ring. DO NOT allow "O" rings to twist.
3. Install seal ring to rack piston by expanding it to fit over "O" ring. (Scheme 10) Apply a thin coat of grease to entire circumference of seal ring.
4. Insert ball screw and housing assembly into gear assembly, while keeping ball screw and housing assembly horizontal. Install valve housing bolts and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/manual-power-steering/#steering-system-power). Install NEW stub shaft oil seal into valve housing.
5. Using Seal Driver (J-26508), install back-up ring, retaining ring and dust cover in reverse order of disassembly. Back-up ring and retaining ring should be installed so ring faces with rounded outer circumferences turn toward oil seal.
6. Install hose fitting to valve housing with a NEW "O" ring. Tape sector shaft spline to protect bushing and seal rings. Install sector shaft while aligning sector teeth and rack teeth in straight-ahead position. (Scheme 9)
7. Thread adjusting screw into top cover. Turn adjusting screw counterclockwise until top cover contacts housing. Align cover to housing and continue turning screw 2 more turns. Install top cover bolts.
8. Check if sector and rack are installed properly by turning stub shaft lock-to-lock. Sector and rack are installed properly if stub shaft turns more than 4 turns.
9. Adjust backlash between rack piston worm gear and sector shaft teeth by placing sector shaft in middle of its travel (straight-ahead wheel position). Install INCH-lb. torque wrench and socket to stub shaft. Check starting torque.
10. If starting torque is not 3.5-5.3 INCH lbs. (.4-.6 N.m), adjust starting torque with adjusting screw. To decrease backlash, turn clockwise. Install NEW lock nut.

Disassembly (Hombre)

1. Remove pump assembly from vehicle. Remove retaining clips between reservoir and housing, and remove reservoir from housing.
2. Remove union fitting and "O" ring. Remove control valve assembly and flow control spring.
3. Protect drive shaft with shim stock and using a small chisel, cut drive shaft seal and remove. Using small drift punch, remove end cover retaining ring. (Scheme 11) Remove internal components of pump by gently pushing on drive shaft. (Scheme 12)
4. Remove "O" ring from pump housing. Remove locating dowel pins. Remove drive shaft seal (if not already removed). Remove end cover, pressure plate spring and "O" ring from pressure plate.
5. Remove pump ring and vanes from drive shaft subassembly. Remove retaining ring from drive shaft. Remove pump rotor and thrust plate from drive shaft.

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Inspection (Hombre)

Clean all parts in power steering fluid and dry with compressed air. Inspect pressure plate, pump ring, vanes, thrust plate and drive shaft for scoring, pitting or chatter marks. Replace any damaged parts.

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

1. Lubricate NEW drive shaft seal with power steering fluid, and drive seal into pump housing using Seal Driver (J-7728). (Scheme 13) Install pump ring dowel pins into pump housing. Assemble thrust plate and pump rotor onto drive shaft. Fit NEW retaining ring to shaft. (Scheme 14)
2. Install drive shaft subassembly into pump housing. Install vanes into pump rotor. With holes positioned correctly onto dowel pins, install pump ring into pump housing.
3. Lubricate NEW "O" ring with power steering fluid and install into pump body. Install pressure plate and pressure plate spring.
4. Lubricate NEW "O" ring with power steering fluid and install into end cover. Lubricate outer edge of end cover with power steering fluid. Press end cover into pump housing. When installing retaining ring into groove, ensure opening of ring is near access hole in pump housing. (Scheme 15)

Scheme 15

Disassembly (Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper)

1. Remove hose connector fitting and "O" rings. (Scheme 16) Remove flow control valve assembly and spring. Remove end cover bolt, end cover and gasket.
2. Remove rotor, cam ring and vane assembly, pressure plate and "O" rings. Remove shaft snap ring and shaft. Press front bearing from shaft. Remove retaining ring and oil seal.

Inspection (Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper)

Check pressure plate and thrust plate sliding surfaces for ridges. Check valve sliding face for burrs or damage. Parts with minor scores may be reused after polishing with emery cloth (No. 800 or finer).

Reassembly (Amigo, Rodeo & Trooper)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Install rotor, cam ring and vane respectively. Ensure tiny square Black mark on rotor faces upward. Align cam ring holes with body slots. Turn side of cam ring with clearance around dowel, facing upward. Ensure rounded end of vane matches cam ring inner surface. Tighten end cover bolt and hose connector fitting to 40 ft. lbs. (54 N.m).

Scheme 16

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (AMIGO, RODEO & TROOPER)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)

See also:
• POWER STEERING PRESSURE SPECIFICATIONS
• HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BLEEDING
• POWER STEERING PUMP BELT