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 torque to specification to ensure proper operation of the steering column.

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

5. Remove the shift link rod in engine compartment (if equipped). Pry rod out from grommet in the shift lever.





6. 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.
7. Remove the steering column opening cover/ knee blocker.

PRNDL Drive Cable:

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





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

Steering Column Wiring:

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

INSTALLATION
1. Install clock spring and switches.
2. Column shift vehicles, install a new grommet. Use multi-purpose lubricant, or equivalent, to aid installation of the grommet.

NOTE: A new grommet should be used when ever the rod is disconnected from the lever.

3. Remove the shipping lock pin if necessary.
4. Install the ground clip on the left spacer slot.
5. Install column through floor pan.
6. Position the column bracket breakaway capsules on the mounting studs. Install, but loose assemble the two upper bracket nuts.
7. With the front wheels in the straight-ahead position. Align steering column shaft to the coupler. Install a new pinch bolt and tighten to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
8. Clip the wiring harness on the steering column. Connect the multi-function switch wiring and tighten with 7mm socket.
9. Install the upper fixed shroud.
10. Be sure both breakaway capsules are fully seated in the slots in the column support bracket. Pull the column rearward then tighten upper bracket nuts to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).
11. Tighten the toe plate to floor pan attaching nuts to 22.5 Nm (200 inch lbs.).
12. Install the wiring connections to the column. Install the lower fixed shroud.
13. Column shift vehicles, install the PRNDL driver cable. Place shifter in Park position. If indicator needs adjusting, turn thumb screw on cable retainer to adjust cable.
14. Install the lock housing shrouds. Install the tilt lever (if equipped).
15. Install the knee blocker and steering column opening cover.
16. Install steering wheel and tighten nut to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
17. Install airbag.
18. Column shift vehicles, connect the shift link rod to the transmission shift lever. Use multi-purpose lubricant, or an equivalent product, to aid the installation.
19. Install the battery ground (negative) cable.
20. Verify operation of the automatic transmission shift linkage and adjust as necessary.