Steering Column Removal

WARNING:
^ THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
^ THE AIRBAG MODULE INFLATOR ASSEMBLY CONTAINS SODIUM AZIDE AND POTASSIUM NITRATE. THESE MATERIALS ARE POISONOUS AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. CONTACT WITH ACID, WATER, OR HEAVY METALS MAY PRODUCE HARMFUL AND IRRITATING GASES (SODIUM HYDROXIDE IS FORMED IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE) OR COMBUSTIBLE COMPOUNDS. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE CONTAINS ARGON GAS PRESSURIZED TO OVER 2500 PSI. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISMANTLE AN AIRBAG MODULE OR TAMPER WITH ITS INFLATOR. DO NOT PUNCTURE, INCINERATE, OR BRING INTO CONTACT WITH ELECTRICITY. DO NOT STORE AT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 93° C (200° F).
^ REPLACE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS ONLY WITH PARTS SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG. SUBSTITUTE PARTS MAY APPEAR INTERCHANGEABLE, BUT INTERNAL DIFFERENCES MAY RESULT IN INFERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
^ THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. ANY TIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE IT WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR SPECIFIED IN THE CHRYSLER MOPAR PARTS CATALOG.
^ WHEN A STEERING COLUMN HAS AN AIRBAG MODULE ATTACHED, NEVER PLACE THE COLUMN ON THE FLOOR OR ANY OTHER SURFACE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR AIR BAG MODULE FACE DOWN.

1. Position front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
3. Disarm and remove airbag.
4. Disconnect link rod in engine compartment if equipped with column shift. Pry rod out from grommet in the shift lever.





5. Scribe or paint reference mark on the column shaft-to-coupler. This will aid in column shaft installation alignment. Remove the steering column shaft-to-coupler bolt.
6. Remove the dash panel cover under column.





7. For column shift vehicles, make sure shift lever is in Park position. Pull cable and twist to remove from position arm. Push tab on bottom of cable retainer, then squeeze sides to remove retainer from column.
8. Remove tilt lever (if equipped) from column.
9. Remove the upper and lower lock housing shroud and remove the lower fixed shroud.





10. Remove the turn signal multi-function switch with a 7 mm socket.
11. Loosen the upper Support Bracket nuts to allow some slack. This will aid in removal of the upper fixed shroud.





12. Remove electrical connections from Key-in light, Ignition Switch, Horn and Clock Spring (Speed Control).
13. Remove the wiring harness from the column by prying out the plastic retainer buttons.
14. Remove lower dash panel and toe plate fasteners.
15. Remove column from vehicle.
16. Remove switches, clock spring and key cylinder.