Steering Shaft: Service and Repair

Steering Shaft Removal and Installation

Removal

1. Remove the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal / Installation.

2. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover Driver's Dashboard Lower Cover Removal / Installation.

3. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool (A).






4. Remove steering joint cover A.






5. Remove the steering joint bolts (A), then disconnect the steering joint (B) from the steering pinion shaft and the steering shaft.

NOTE:

- If the center guide (C) is in place and has not moved, leave it in place.
- If the center guide has come off, discard it.





6. Make marks (A) on the steering joint (B) and the steering column shaft (C) to identify the position of the joint on the steering shaft.





7. Remove the steering joint bolt (D) and the washer (E).

8. Disconnect the steering shaft from the steering column shaft.

9. Remove the steering shaft.

Installation

NOTE: When replacing the steering shaft, mark the new shaft like you did the original steering shaft to identify the position of the joint on the original steering shaft.

1. Slide the upper end (A) of the steering shaft down, and align the aligning marks (B) on the steering column shaft (C). Be sure the steering shaft and steering column shaft are aligned with the serrations; the steering shaft should slip on smoothly. If it doesn't reposition the serrations of the steering shaft.





2. Align the bolt hole (D) on the steering joint with the groove (E) around the steering column shaft, and loosely install the joint bolt (F) and the washer (G). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the steering column shaft.

3. Center the steering rack within its stroke.

4. Insert the upper end of the steering joint into the steering shaft (A) (line up the bolt hole (B) with the flat portion (C) on the shaft), and loosely install the upper joint bolt (D).









5. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft.

NOTE:

- Pinion shaft with center guide: Install the steering joint by aligning the center guide (E).
- Pinion shaft without center guide: Position the steering column by aligning the gap (F) within the angle.

6. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (C).





7. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.

8. Tighten the upper steering joint bolt (D) to the specified torque.

9. Install steering joint cover A.






10. Remove the steering wheel holder tool (A).





11. Install the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal / Installation.

12. Install the driver's dashboard lower cover Driver's Dashboard Lower Cover Removal / Installation.

13. After installation, check these items:

- Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If the steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft splines.
- Set the steering column to the center tilt position, then do the front toe inspection.
- Do the VSA sensor neutral position memorization Programming and Relearning.