OEM 2001 Toyota Avalon Rack And Pinion

2001 Toyota Avalon Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to remove and install the Rack And Pinion assembly on 2001 Toyota Avalon?

  A: Make your front wheels straight ahead and unlatch the steering wheel pad to access the rack and pinion. Take out the clamp plate, remove the rack and pinion tie rods at each end and the intermediate shaft. Take out the 2 Pressure Feed and Return tubes through Special Service Tool 09023-38400 then extract the 2 O-rings from these same tubes. Dismantle the stabilizer bar through 4 bolts and remove the No. 1 fuel tube protector by unscrewing its 2 bolts and small nut. To access the Rack And Pinion assembly you need to remove the 2 set bolts and nuts by lifting the stabilizer bar and take it out from the LH side of the vehicle without harming the turn pressure tubes. Reinstall the Rack And Pinion assembly from the left side keeping all turn pressure tubes safe and install the 2 Rack And Pinion assembly fixing bolts while tightening them to 181 Nm. Install the No. 1 fuel tube protector with 2 bolts and a nut but also attach the stabilizer bar to 4 threaded bolts measuring 19 Nm. After applying power steering fluid to new O-rings using Special Service Tool: 09023-38400, attach the pressure feed and return tubes using special torque settings. Once the nut connects to the clamp plate torque it to 10 Nm (100 kgf-cm, 7 ft. lbs.) before installing the intermediate shaft sub-assembly and the right and left tie rod ends. With the vehicle lifted and wheels aligned align the spiral cable at center position then attach the steering wheel to the steering column main shaft using matchmarks. Temporarily tighten the steering wheel nut and connect the connector before the installation. After bleeding the power steering system check the steering wheel center exactly and tighten the steering wheel set nut to 50 Nm (510 kgf-cm, 37 ft. lbs.). Lastly install the steering wheel pad and test the front wheel alignment need. Do steering angle sensor zero point calibration along with VSC systems when the vehicle has this equipment.