🔧 Yukon - Electric Power Steering Gear Replacement

Your Yukon Denali uses electric power steering (EPS), so it does not have a hydraulic power steering pump or power steering fluid to replace. If you’re trying to fix a “power steering pump” problem, the closest equivalent repair is replacing the EPS steering gear (rack/gear assembly with electric motor) under the front of the SUV.

Assumption: You meant replacing the EPS steering gear assembly (since no pump exists on your Yukon).

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-7 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Disconnect the negative battery cable and wait 2+ minutes before working near steering components (airbag/SIR system protection).
• 🛑 Keep the steering wheel centered and locked. Do not let it spin with the intermediate shaft disconnected or you can damage the clock spring (the ribbon coil that carries airbag/wheel controls).
• 🛑 Support the SUV with jack stands on a level surface; never rely on a jack.
• 🛑 After replacement, the Yukon typically needs a steering angle sensor/EPS calibration with a scan tool and a front-end alignment.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8"
• Torque wrench 1/2"
• Socket set metric 8mm–24mm
• Wrench set metric 8mm–24mm
• Torx bit set
• Pry bar
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip removal tool
• Tie-rod end puller (specialty)
• Pitman/ball joint separator fork (specialty)
• Paint marker
• Scan tool with GM EPS functions (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Electric power steering gear assembly - Qty: 1
• Steering intermediate shaft pinch bolt - Qty: 1
• Outer tie rod ends - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front subframe/steering gear mounting bolts - Qty: 1 set
• New cotter pins - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Center the steering wheel and keep it centered (use a seat belt looped through the wheel if needed).
• Disconnect the battery using a 10mm socket on the negative terminal, then wait 2+ minutes.
• Plan for an alignment: mark tie-rod positions, but still get a professional alignment afterward.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the Yukon at the proper lift point.
• Set it down on jack stands and verify stability before going underneath.
• Remove both front wheels using a 22mm socket (typical lug size) and a breaker bar.

Step 2: Remove splash shields/skid plates (as equipped)

• Remove underbody panels using a socket set and trim clip removal tool.
• Keep fasteners grouped by panel. Phone photo helps reassembly.

Step 3: Unplug EPS electrical connectors

• Locate the EPS steering gear and unplug the electrical connector(s) using needle-nose pliers only if needed for the lock tab.
• Do not pull on wires—pull on the connector body by hand.

Step 4: Disconnect the outer tie rod ends from the knuckles

• Remove the cotter pins using needle-nose pliers.
• Remove the tie rod end nuts using the correct-size socket.
• Separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a tie-rod end puller (specialty).
• Mark the tie rod jam nut position with a paint marker to preserve toe roughly.

Step 5: Disconnect the steering intermediate shaft from the gear

• Make alignment marks across the shaft-to-gear input using a paint marker.
• Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt using a socket set.
• Slide the shaft off the gear input using hand pressure and a pry bar only if needed.
• Important: Do not rotate the steering wheel with the shaft disconnected.
• Torque to OEM specification when installing the new pinch bolt.

Step 6: Remove the steering gear mounting bolts

• Support the steering gear by hand while removing bolts.
• Remove steering gear mounting fasteners using a socket set and breaker bar.
• Torque to OEM specification on reinstallation (mounting bolts are commonly torque-to-yield; replace if required).

Step 7: Remove the EPS steering gear from the vehicle

• Work the steering gear out carefully, watching wiring and boots.
• If it hangs up, re-check that the intermediate shaft is fully free and tie rods are separated.

Step 8: Install the new EPS steering gear

• Position the new steering gear into place by hand.
• Start mounting bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading, then tighten using a socket set.
• Torque to OEM specification with a torque wrench 1/2".

Step 9: Reconnect the intermediate shaft

• Align your paint marks and slide the shaft onto the input.
• Install a new pinch bolt using a socket set.
• Torque to OEM specification with a torque wrench.

Step 10: Reinstall tie rod ends

• Reconnect tie rod ends to the knuckles and install nuts using a socket set.
• Install new cotter pins using needle-nose pliers.
• Snug jam nuts using a wrench set to your paint-mark position (temporary until alignment).
• Torque to OEM specification on tie rod end nuts and jam nuts.

Step 11: Plug in EPS connectors and reinstall shields

• Reconnect EPS electrical connectors by hand until the lock clicks.
• Reinstall splash shields/skid plates using a socket set and trim clip removal tool.

Step 12: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Yukon using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench 1/2" to OEM specification.

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✅ After Repair

• Reconnect the battery using a 10mm socket.
• Turn the ignition on and verify no binding while turning the wheel lock-to-lock gently.
• Use a scan tool with GM EPS functions (specialty) to perform EPS setup as required (commonly steering angle sensor centering/calibration).
• Get a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Test drive at low speed first; confirm no warning lights for steering/StabiliTrak.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,500-$3,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $900-$2,400 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$800 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.