Steering Column Replacement

Steering Column Replacement

Tools Required
^ J42640 Steering Column Anti Rotation Pin

Removal Procedure

1. Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in Service Precautions.

Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure.

Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.

Disable the SIR system. Refer to Restraint System Disabling and Enabling Zone 3.





2. Turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels are pointing straight ahead.
3. Turn the ignition lock cylinder to the LOCK position and remove the key.
4. Insert the J42640 into the steering column access hole in order to lock the steering column. This will maintain the correct orientation.





5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
6. Remove the center intermediate steering shaft to upper intermediate steering shaft bolt.
7. Remove the center intermediate steering shaft from the upper intermediate steering shaft.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Remove the knee bolster.
10. Remove the steering column trim covers.
11. Disconnect the steering column electrical connectors.





12. Important: Stabilize the studs in order to remove the nuts securing the steering column to the instrument panel.

Support the steering column.





13. Remove the steering column nuts.
14. Remove the steering column.





15. Remove the upper intermediate steering shaft to steering column bolt.
16. Remove the upper intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the upper intermediate steering shaft to the steering column.

2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Install the upper intermediate steering shaft to the steering column bolt.

Tighten the bolt to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).





3. Install the steering column.
4. Install the steering column nuts.

Tighten the nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).

5. Connect the steering column electrical connectors.
6. Install the knee bolster.
7. Install the steering column trim covers.
8. Raise the vehicle.





9. Install the center intermediate steering shaft to the upper intermediate steering shaft.
10. Install the center intermediate steering shaft to upper intermediate steering shaft bolt.

Tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (23 ft. lbs.).

11. Lower the vehicle.





12. Unlock the steering column by removing the J42640 from the steering column lower trim cover access hole.
13. Enable the SIR system. Refer to Restraint System Disabling and Enabling Zone 3.