Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Disarm airbag as outlined in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG DEACTIVATION before servicing steering column.

Removal

Before removing the SIR steering column, the wheels of the car must be straight and the column in the Lock position. Care must be taken when handling column with a live inflator module. Never point bag deploy surface toward you, and never stand column on steering wheel. Accidental deployment in these positions may cause injury. Always face bag deploy surface toward open space to allow for unrestricted expansion.
Wheels must be in a straight forward position and the key must be in the Lock position when removing or installing column to ensure proper alignment of components during installation.

Fig. 4 Removing Intermediate Shaft:

Fig. 5 Removing Inflator Module & Coil Assembly Connector.:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then remove stoplamp switch.
2. Remove nut and bolt from pot joint coupling, attaching upper intermediate shaft to the steering column, Fig. 4.
3. Disconnect shift linkage from steering column.
4. If steering wheel is to be removed, remove the inflator module and wheel as follows:
a. Remove the Torx screws from the back of the steering wheel, then remove the inflator module from steering wheel.
b. Remove coil assembly connector and connector position assurance from inflator module, Fig. 5.
c. Disconnect horn lead from steering column.
d. Remove steering wheel attaching nut.
e. Attach special tool J 1859-03 and J 3872 or equivalent to steering wheel. Use care when attaching bolts to special tool J 3872 or equivalent. Threading bolt through wheel hub will damage coil assembly.
f. Remove steering wheel.
5. Remove steering column opening filler, then driver side knee bolster and deflector.
6. Remove toe plate attaching bolts, to the cowl.
7. Remove shift indicator cable from steering column.
8. Disconnect all wiring connectors from column.
9. Remove two capsule nuts from upper column support and lower column assembly. If shims are used, retain for use in installation.
10. Remove steering column from vehicle.

Installation

If a service replacement column is being installed, do not remove anti-rotation pin until after steering column has been connected to steering gear. Removing pin before column is installed or connected will damage SIR coil assembly.
1. Carefully place column into position in vehicle.
2. Raise column and loosely install capsule nuts, Install shims, if equipped.
3. Torque capsule nuts to 20 lb ft
4. Install nut and bolt to pot joint, attaching upper intermediate shaft onto steering column shaft. Torque to 40 lb ft
5. Connect shift linkage to steering column.
6. Install toe plate attaching bolts.
7. Connect all wiring to column.
8. Install anti-rotation pin of service replacement steering column is being installed.
9. Install shift indicator cable clip to steering column and adjust shift indicator if necessary.
10. Install knee bolster and deflector.
11. Install steering wheel opening filler.
12. Replace steering wheel if removed. Install inflator module as follows:
a. Connect horn leads.
b. Install coil assembly connector and connector assurance to inflator module.
c. Route coil assembly lead around mounting post, then secure clip.
d. Place inflator module in place.
e. Install inflator module attaching screws, then torque to attaching screws to 25 lb in
13. Connect battery ground cable.
14. Install stoplamp switch, adjust if necessary.
15. When all service procedures have been completed, rearm airbag as outlined in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ACTIVATION.