Steering Column - Removal and Installation
Fig. 4 Typical steering column installation. Cadillac Rear Wheel Drive Models & 1982---85 Eldorado & Seville:
CADILLAC REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS & 1982---85 ELDORADO & SEVILLE
REMOVAL
1. Center steering wheel to gain access to upper coupling pinch bolt and nut.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Disconnect transmission linkage at lower shift lever, then remove pinch bolt and separate intermediate shaft from spline.
4. On all models except Eldorado and Seville, remove four screws attaching steering lower cover to instrument panel, then remove cover.
5. On Eldorado and Seville, loosen 4 screws attaching rear edge of lower instrument panel cover to instrument panel base assembly. Open ashtray, then remove two screws through access holes located under ashtray housing assembly. Remove six screws from front edge of instrument panel lower cover and remove cover. Note that the two longer mounting screws are located below the steering column.
6. Disconnect turn signal wiring at connector. Also disconnect cruise control wiring at this time.
7. Remove screw attaching shift indicator cable to shift bowl.
8. Loosen two screws at steering column upper support, Fig. 4, and on Seville models, remove shims.
9. Move toe pan seal up on steering column as far as possible, then position carpet out of way to gain access to toe pan.
10. On all models except Eldorado and Seville, remove five screws attaching toe pan bracket to toe pan. On Eldorado and Seville, remove four screws attaching toe pan bracket to toe pan.
11. On Eldorado and Seville, remove lower support and bracket assembly.
12. On all models, remove two nuts attaching upper column bracket to column support, then disconnect ignition and back-up light switch connectors and parking brake release hose. On models equipped with automatic door locks, disconnect wire connector.
13. Carefully pull steering column up and out of vehicle, using care not to damage column mounted switches or dash seal. If shaft binds on upper coupling, reattach column upper mounting bracket and pry shaft from coupling using a screwdriver.
Eldorado & Seville
1. If intermediate shaft was removed, install on the steering gear shaft and torque bolt to 30 lb ft
2. Position toe pan or carpet cover seal on column, if previously removed.
3. Insert lower end of steering column through hole in toe pan.
4. Connect ignition switch wire connector, then install two nuts to secure upper column bracket to column support. Do not tighten nuts at this time.
5. Place shims on top of shim retainers. Do not place shims directly against aluminum capsules, since damage to capsules may result.
6. Connect backup light and turn signal wire connectors, parking brake hose and automatic door lock and cruise control wiring harness, if equipped.
7. On Eldorado, loosely install six screws securing lower mounting bracket to toe pan.
8. Connect mounting bracket, clamp halves together and install clamp bolt and nut.
9. Install toe pan insulator at column support. Install carpet, then position toe pan seal over carpet.
10. Torque upper mounting bracket to upper column support to 20 lb ft
11. Position shift pointer cable to shift bowl, install attaching screw and check for proper alignment.
12. Install steering column lower cover.
13. Connect transmission linkage at lower shift lever and secure upper coupling to steering shaft. Clearance between steering shaft and upper coupling should be 5/16 inch, since damage to lower bearing may result. Torque pinch bolt to 45 lb ft