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Home >> Dodge or Ram Truck >> 1997 >> Grand Caravan AWD V6-3.3L VIN G Flex Fuel >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering and Suspension >> Steering >> Steering Column >> Service and Repair >> Steering Column Removal

Steering Column Removal

To service the steering wheel components or the airbag, refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts. Follow all WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS.

NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure, review the Service Precautions.

REMOVAL
1. Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning the column removal procedure.
2. Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.

Lower Steering Column Cover Attachment Locations:





3. Remove the screws attaching the lower steering column cover to the instrument panel. Remove the lower trim panel from the lower instrument panel.

Park Brake Release Cable Attachment To Release Lever:





4. Remove the parking brake pedal release cable from the parking brake release lever.

Lower Steering Column Cover Attachment:





5. Remove the 10 bolts attaching the steering column cover liner to the instrument panel. Remove the steering column cover liner from the lower instrument panel.





6. Rotate key cylinder to the lock position and remove key. Rotate the steering wheel a half turn to the left until the steering column lock engages keeping the steering column in the locked position.
7. Remove the 3 bolts (one in each spoke of the steering wheel) attaching the airbag module to the steering wheel. Lift the airbag module from the steering wheel.

Airbag Module Wiring Connections:





8. Disconnect wiring connectors from the airbag, horn switch wire, and speed control switches. Remove the wiring harness routing clip from the airbag module studs.

Releasing Remote Radio Control Connector:





If the steering wheel is equipped with remote radio controls, disconnect the connector from the clockspring. Release the connector by depressing the tang as shown then slide the connector apart.





9. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut from the steering column shaft.
10. Remove the steering wheel damper from the steering wheel.

CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering column or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column shaft.





CAUTION: When installing steering wheel puller bolts in steering wheel, do not thread bolt into steering wheel more than a half inch. If bolts are threaded into the steering wheel more than a half inch they will contact and damage the clockspring.

11. Remove the steering wheel from steering column shaft using a steering wheel puller.

CAUTION: The upper and lower steering column shrouds are held together using retaining clips. When separating and removing the shrouds from the steering column be careful not to break the retaining clips off the shrouds.

Steering Column Shrouds:





12. Remove the 3 screws attaching the upper and lower shrouds to the steering column. Then remove the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column.

Wiring Harness Connections To Clock Spring:





13. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connectors from the clockspring assembly.

CAUTION: Do not rotate the clock spring after it is removed from the multifunction switch.

14. Remove the clockspring from the multi-function switch.

Wiring Harness Connection To Multifunction Switch:





15. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connector from the top of the multi-function switch.

Multi-function Switch Mounting Housing Attaching Screw:





16. Remove the screw attaching the multi-function switch housing to the tilt head of the steering column assembly.
17. Remove the multi-function switch from the tilt head of the steering column assembly.

Wiring Harness Connection To Halo Light:





18. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connector from the key cylinder halo light.

Ignition Switch Wiring Harness Connections:





19. Remove the 3 wiring harness connectors from the ignition switch.

PRNDL Actuating Cable At Steering Column:





20. If the vehicle is equipped with a 3 speed nonelectronic transmission, remove the PRNDL actuating cable from the pin on the gear shifter. The PRNDL actuating cable must be removed from the pin on the gear shifter prior to removing the gear selector cable from the gear shifter.
21. Remove the attaching clip for the PRNDL actuating cable from the steering column/ shift cable bracket.





22. Remove the gear selector cable from the gear shifter the steering column. Gear selector cable is removed from pin on shift module by carefully prying it off with a screw driver.

Gear Selector Cable Mounting Bracket:





23. Remove the gear selector cable and its mounting bracket as an assembly, from the upper mounting bracket for the steering column.

Instrument Cluster Trim Bezel:





24. Remove the instrument cluster trim bezel from the instrument panel. The trim bezel is mounted to the instrument panel using 2 attaching screws and retaining clips.

Steering Column Fixed Shroud:





25. Remove the steering column fixed shroud from the steering column assembly. Shroud is mounted to steering column using 2 attaching screws accessed from top of fixed shroud.





26. Disconnect the steering column shaft coupler, from the steering gear intermediate steering coupler.

Steering Column Upper And Lower Mounting Brackets:





27. Loosen but do not fully remove the 2 nut/ washer assemblies attaching the steering column lower mounting bracket. Then remove the 2 nut/washer assemblies attaching the steering column upper mounting bracket.
28. Remove steering column assembly from vehicle. Use care to avoid damage to paint or interior trim.

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