Rack Bearing Disassembly and Assembly: Assembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Suzuki Reno and 2005 Suzuki Forenza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Coat the rack bearing, the adjuster spring and the adjuster plug with lithium-based grease and install them into the housing.

Fig 1: Installing Rack Bearing, Adjuster Spring And Adjuster Plug Into Housing
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
With the rack centered, turn the adjuster plug clockwise until a torque of 7 N.m (62 lb-in) is obtained, then back it off by 30 to 40 degrees. Check the pinion torque. Maximum pinion preloaded torque is 1 N.m (9 lb-in).
Thread the locknut on the adjuster plug and tighten it.
Tighten

Tighten the adjuster plug locknut to 75 N.m (56 lb-ft) while holding the adjuster plug stationary with the rack guide spring cap wrench J-42459 or with a 19 mm alien wrench.
Install the rack and pinion assembly. Refer to "RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".

Fig 2: Tightening Adjuster Plug Locknut
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.