Steering Column Removal

WARNING: Before servicing the steering column the airbag system must be disarmed. Failure to do so may result in accidental deployment of the airbag and possible personal injury.

CAUTION: All fasteners must be torqued to specification to ensure proper operation of the steering column.

1. Position front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the battery.
3. Remove the airbag, refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts for service procedures.
4. Remove the steering wheel with the appropriate puller.

CAUTION: Ensure the puller bolts are fully engaged into the steering wheel and not into the clockspring, before attempting to remove the wheel. Failure to do so may damage the steering wheel/clockspring.

Lower Column Cover/Knee Blocker:

5. Remove the fuse access panel and lower column cover.
6. Remove the Data Link Connector, hood release lever and park brake release lever from the knee blocker.
7. Remove the knee blocker.

Column Wiring Harness:

8. Disconnect the column wiring harness by removing the fastener.
9. Disconnect the airbag harness.

Column Wiring Harness Block:

10. Remove column wiring harness block and airbag harness from the steering column.

Shift Lever Actuator:

11. Remove the shift cable and PRNDL cable with clip from the column shift lever actuator.

Column Bracket:

12. Release the shift cable from the column bracket and remove it from the bracket.

PRNDL Cable Adjuster:

13. Remove the two PRNDL cable adjuster mounting nuts and remove adjuster.

Steering Coupler:

14. Remove upper steering shaft coupler bolt and slide the shaft down.





15. Remove steering column mounting nuts.
16. Remove steering column assembly from vehicle.
17. Remove column shrouds, key cylinder, switches and clock spring.