Steering Column: Service and Repair

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.

REMOVAL
1. Position front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the battery.
3. Remove the air bag.
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.





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.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Do not remove shipping lock pin until the column is installed and the steering wheel is on.

NOTE: When installing a non-tilt column insure the column is tilted up against the tilt stop and locked.

1. Install switches, clock spring, key cylinder and shrouds.
2. Position the steering column on the clash panel support and loosely install the mounting nuts.
3. Firmly slide steering column upward against the studs in dash panel and hand tighten the nuts.
4. Center steering column in dash opening and tighten mounting nuts to 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).

NOTE: Torque the lower left nut first then the lower right nut. Then torque the upper left nut then the upper right nut.

5. Install steering shaft coupler on the steering shaft and install a new bolt.
6. Tighten coupler bolt to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
7. Install PRNDL cable and adjuster. Adjust the PRNDL cable if necessary by moving the adjuster lever.
8. Install shifter cable.
9. Install column wiring harness block and airbag harness to the steering column.
10. Connect column wiring harness to the block and connect the airbag wiring.
11. Install knee blocker.
12. Install the Data Link Connector, hood release lever and park brake release lever to the knee blocker.
13. Install the lower column cover.
14. Align master spline on steering wheel and shaft. The wheel should be at 12 o'clock.
15. Then install steering wheel and tighten retaining nut to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
16. Remove shipping lock pin.
17. Install the air bag.
18. Install negative battery terminal.
19. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated.