OEM 2007 Toyota Solara Rack And Pinion

2007 Toyota Solara Rack And Pinion Parts Q&A

• Q: How to reassemble the rack and pinion power steering gear on 2007 Toyota Solara?

  A: Rebuilding the rack and pinion power steering rack begins with the power piston oil seal installation process involving O-ring lubrication with power steering fluid followed by placement on the rack and pinion. Users should gently expand and install the new oil seal after coating it with power steering fluid. The installation process for the power steering cylinder tube oil seal requires coating the lip with power steering fluid while using Special Service Tool: 09950-60010 (09951-00420, 09951-00250, 09952-06010), 09950-70010 (09951-07360) and a press to achieve the correct orientation. Following rack teeth end lubrication, fit Special Service Tool: 09631-33010 to the rack and pinion. Coat the tool and power piston oil seal with power steering fluid before installing the rack into the rack housing while removing the tool. The installation process for the power steering rack bush involves using Special Service Tool: 09950-60010 (09951-00400), 09950-70010 (09951-07100) with a press to install an oil seal coated with power steering fluid. After installing the new O-ring by coating it with power steering fluid you should position it on the rack bush before inserting the bush into the rack housing with a vinyl tape wrap to protect the rack and pinion end. Place the installation hole of the cylinder end stopper wire next to the rack housing slot and install a fresh wire while rotating the stopper clockwise by 450 plus or minus 50 degrees. The rack housing requires testing for air tightness using Special Service Tool: 09631-12071 (09633-00010) with a 53kPa (398mmHg, 15.65inchHg) vacuum for 30 seconds to evaluate pressure variations. The procedure for replacing the power steering control valve upper oil seal requires bearing lubrication followed by application of power steering fluid on the new oil seal lip and utilization of Special Service Tools 09950-70010 (09951-07150), 09950-60010 (09951-00180, 09952-06010, 09951-00320) and a press for installation while ensuring correct orientation then followed by control valve upper bearing installation using the same tools. To install the power steering control valve, expand four valve spacers then soak them with power steering fluid followed by mounting the spacers onto the control valve before sliding Special Service Tool: 09631-20081 over the spacers while carefully inserting the control valve into the valve housing to avoid damaging spacers or oil seal lip. The installation requires power steering fluid coating of a new oil seal lip followed by installation through Special Service Tool: 09612-22011 and use of a press. Additionally, the procedure includes lubricating the rack housing needle roller bearing and controlling valve serrated area, and attaching a new valve housing gasket before installing two bolts to 20 Nm torque (204 kgf-cm, 15 ft. lbs.). The first step involves using Special Service Tool: 09616-00011 to avoid rotation of the control valve when installing a new lock nut which requires a torque of 25 Nm (250 kgf-cm, 18 ft. lbs.). Afterward, apply sealant to the rack housing cap threads before attaching the cap with a 27 mm socket wrench to a torque of 59 Nm (597 kgf-cm, 43 ft. lbs.). Both cap and housing will be staked with a punch and hammer. Grease the rack guide contact area, place the rack guide and compression spring, and apply sealant to the rack guide spring cap threads then the cap goes temporarily on installation. First install temporarily the RH and LH rack end subassemblies then adjust total preload through screwing the rack guide spring cap to 25 Nm (250 kgf-cm, 18 ft. lbs.) followed by loosening it up while using the control valve to attain a preload within 1.2 to 1.5 Nm (12.2 to 15.3 kgf-cm, 10.6 to 13.3 inch lbs.) before installing the lock nut and torquing to 51 Nm (520 kgf-cm, 38 ft. lbs.) with spring cap retention. After verifying total preload the rack end subassemblies should be unbolted while applying condensation-protectant MP grease to the control valve shaft followed by vinyl tape installation and dust cover assembly. The rack and pinion end subassemblies need installation of 2 new claw washers while using Special Service Tool: 09922-10010 to apply 60 Nm (615 kgf-cm, 45 ft. lbs.) torque and hammer-stake the claw washers with a brass bar. Tighten the clamps of rack and pinion boots No.1 and No.2 using Special Service Tool: 09521-24010 until they reach 3.0 mm (0.118 inch) clearance while applying silicon grease inside boot No.2. Place new O-rings on the left and right turn pressure tubes followed by using Special Service Tool: 09023-38201 to torque them up to 11 Nm (113 kgf-cm, 8 ft. lbs.). Finally, install the rack and pinion power steering rack assembly with 2 bolts and nuts at 70 Nm (714 kgf-cm, 52 ft. lbs.), connect the pressure feed tube assembly with Special Service Tool: 09023-12701 at 22 Nm (227 kgf-cm, 16 ft. lbs.), and follow the same procedure for the return tube assembly, ensuring proper torque specifications for the 2AZ-FE and 3MZ-FE models, install the front stabilizer brackets and links, the tie rod assemblies, the front wheels at 103 Nm (1050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.), the steering intermediate shaft assembly with matchmarks aligned at 35 Nm (360 kgf-cm, 26 ft. lbs.), and bleed the power steering fluid while inspecting for leaks and adjusting the front wheel alignment and steering wheel center point.