Disassembly
1. Disarm airbag system, if equipped, refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts/Air Bags (Supplemental Restraint Systems)/Service and Repair. Service and Repair2. Remove bracket assembly to column jacket attaching bolts.
3. Remove wiring protector from column jacket.
4. Attach holding fixture tool No. C-4132 or equivalent to column, then mount column in a vise by clamping at holding fixture.
Fig. 18 Tilt wheel steering column exploded view. Except front wheel drive:
Fig. 19 Tilt wheel steering column exploded view. Front wheel drive:
5. Remove tilt lever and turn signal or speed control lever.
6. Push hazard warning knob and remove by unscrewing, then remove ignition key lamp, if used.
7. If not removed previously, remove steering wheel using a suitable puller. Do not attempt to remove steering wheel using a hammer, as damage to steering column and shaft will result.
Fig. 20 Lock plate retaining ring removal:
8. Carefully remove plastic cover from lock plate, then depress lock plate and pry retaining ring out of groove with a screwdriver. Tool No. C-4156 can be used to depress lock plate, however, it will make removal of retaining ring more difficult, since the full load of the retaining plate will not be applied, allowing the retaining ring to turn.
9. Remove lock plate, cancelling cam and upper bearing spring.
10. Remove the three turn signal switch retaining screws, then place shift bowl in Low position. Wrap tape around connector wires to prevent snagging of wires, then remove switch and wiring.
11. Insert a small screwdriver into slot next to switch mounting screw boss (right hand slot) and depress spring latch at bottom of slot to release lock, then remove lock. The lock cylinder may be removed in any position from Accessory to On. However, the Lock position is recommended because of its positive location.
12. If used, remove buzzer and combination switch, by pulling it straight out using a piece of stiff wire with a hook bent at one end. Insert wire in exposed loop at wedge spring, then pull straight out. If lock cylinder has not been removed yet, place it in the On position.
13. Remove the three housing cover screws and housing cover.
Fig. 21 Tilt spring retainer removal:
14. Install tilt release lever and place column in full up position, then remove tilt spring retainer using a suitable screwdriver. Insert screwdriver in opening, press in about 3/16 inch and turn 1/8 inch turn until ears align with grooves in housing and remove spring and guide.
15. Push upper steering shaft to allow removal of steering shaft inner race and seat.
16. With ignition switch in Accessory position, remove ignition switch mounting screws and switch.
Fig. 22 Pivot pin removal:
17. Place pivot pin remover tool No. C-4016 or equivalent over pivot pin and thread small portion of screw firmly into pin. While holding screw from turning, turn nut clockwise to remove pin from support. Remove opposite pin in same manner.
18. Using tilt release lever, disengage lock shoes, then remove bearing housing assembly by pulling upward to extend rack fully. Move housing assembly to the left to disengage rack from actuator and remove activator assembly.
19. Remove coupling from lower end of steering shaft by removing retaining pin.
20. Remove steering shaft assembly through upper end of column.
Fig. 23 Steering shaft centering spheres & anti-lash spring:
21. Disassemble steering shaft assembly by removing center spheres and anti-lash springs.
22. Remove the four support to lock plate retaining screws and remove support from end of column and jacket. If necessary, remove the two retaining screws and shift gate from support.
23. Remove shift tube retaining ring using a screwdriver, then remove thrust washer. On floor mounted gearshift lever assemblies, it will be noticed that there is no shift tube after the support is removed from the steering column jacket. The lock system actuator and spring can be lifted from the top end portion of the steering column jacket.
Fig. 24 Shift tube removal:
24. Using tool No. C-4120 or equivalent and bushing, remove shift tube from bowl. Do not hammer or pull on lower or upper shift tube as plastic joint may be sheared.
25. Remove shift tube from jacket through lower end.
26. Remove lock plate by sliding out of jacket notches and tipping down toward bowl hub at a 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening, then remove wave washer.
27. Remove bowl from jacket, then remove shift lever from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling out.
28. Remove tilt lever opening shield from bearing housing.
29. Remove lock bolt spring by removing spring retaining screw and moving spring clockwise to remove from bolt.
Fig. 25 Sector & bolt spring assembly:
30. Remove snap ring from sector driveshaft, then using a hammer and punch, lightly tap driveshaft from sector. Remove driveshaft, sector, bolt, rack and spring (also shim if used).
31. Drive out tilt release lever pin, then remove lever and release spring. To relieve load on release lever, hold shoes inward and wedge block between top of shoes (over slots) and bearing housing.
32. Remove lock shoe pin, then remove lock shoes and springs.
33. Remove bearings from housing only if they are to be replaced. Remove separator and balls from bearing. Place housing on a flat surface, then with a pointed punch against the back surface of race, carefully drive out race until a puller can be used. Repeat for other race.