Steering Column: Service and Repair

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DISARMED, REFER TO RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. 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.

REMOVAL
1. Position front wheels straight ahead.
2. Remove the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
3. Remove the airbag.
4. Remove the steering wheel with an 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.

5. Remove the steering column opening cover and knee blocker.

Shift Cable:

6. Disconnect shift cable (column shift vehicles). Pry shift cable from the shift lever and remove from cable bracket.

PRNDL Drive Cable:

7. Remove PRNDL cable (column shift vehicles). Put shift lever in Park position. Pull cable and twist to remove from PRNDL lever. Push tab on top of cable retainer then squeeze sides to remove retainer from the column.
8. Remove tilt lever (if equipped) from column.

Column Shrouds:

9. Remove the lower and upper shrouds.

Multi-function Switch & Column Wiring:

10. Remove the turn signal multi-function switch connector with a 7 mm socket.
11. Remove remaining electrical connections from the column switches.

Column Shaft & Couplers - 4WD:

12. Remove the bolt and nut from upper intermediate shaft. Slide upper intermediate shaft off column shaft.

Column Mounting Nuts:

13. Remove column mounting nuts.
14. Remove column from vehicle.
16. Remove clock spring, switches and key cylinder.

INSTALLATION
1. Install switches, clock spring and key cylinder.
2. Remove the shipping lock pin if necessary.
3. Position the column to the panel bracket and attaching studs. Install, but loose assemble the mounting nuts.
4. Slide upper intermediate shaft onto the column shaft. Install a new bolt and nut and tighten to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
5. Tighten column mounting nuts to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).
6. Connect the multi-function switch wiring and tighten with 7mm socket to 2 Nm (17 inch lbs.).
7. Install the wiring connections to the column switches.
8. Install the lower and upper shrouds.
9. Install the PRNDL cable (column shift vehicles). Place shifter in Park position. If indicator needs adjusting turn thumb screw on cable retainer to adjust cable.
10. Install shift cable (column shift vehicles).
11. Install the tilt lever (if equipped).
12. Install the knee blocker and steering column opening cover.
13. Install steering wheel and tighten nut to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
14. Install airbag.
15. Connect the battery ground (negative) cable.
16. Check operation of the automatic transmission shift linkage and adjust as necessary.