Steering Column
OVERVIEWTo service the steering wheel components or the airbag, refer to Airbags and Seatbelts. Follow all WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS found under Service Precautions.
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure, review the SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS found under Service Precautions.
REMOVAL
1. Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning the column removal procedure.
2. Disconnect negative (ground) cable from the battery and isolate cable from battery terminal.
3. Remove the screws attaching the lower steering column cover to the instrument panel. Remove the lower trim panel from the lower instrument panel.
4. Remove the parking brake pedal release cable from the parking brake release lever.
5. Remove the 10 bolts attaching the steering column cover liner to the instrument panel. Remove the steering column cover liner from the lower instrument panel.
6. Rotate key cylinder to the lock position and remove key. Rotate the steering wheel a half turn to the left until the steering column lock engages keeping the steering column in the locked position.
7. Remove the 3 bolts (one in each spoke of the steering wheel) attaching the airbag module to the steering wheel. Lift the airbag module from the steering wheel.
8. Disconnect wiring connectors from the airbag, horn switch wire, and speed control switches. Remove the wiring harness routing clip from the
If the steering wheel is equipped with remote radio, controls, disconnect the connector from the clockspring. Release the connector by depressing the tang as shown, then slide the connector apart.
9. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut from the steering column shaft.
10. Remove the steering wheel damper from the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering column or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column shaft.
CAUTION: When installing steering wheel puller bolts in steering wheel, do not thread bolt into steering wheel more than a half inch. If bolts are threaded into the steering wheel more than a half inch they will contact and damage the clockspring.
11. Remove the steering wheel from steering column shaft using a steering wheel puller.
CAUTION: The upper and lower steering column shrouds are held together using retaining clips. When separating and removing the shrouds from the steering column be careful not to break the retaining clips off the shrouds
12. Remove the 3 screws attaching the upper and lower shrouds to the steering column. Then remove the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column.
13. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connectors from the clockspring assembly.
CAUTION: Do not rotate the clock spring after it is removed from the multifunction switch.
14. Remove the clockspring from the multi-function switch.
15. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connector from the top of the multi-function switch.
16. Remove the screw attaching the multi-function switch housing to the tilt head of the steering column assembly.
17. Remove the multi-function switch from the tilt head of the steering column assembly.
18. Remove the vehicle wiring harness connector from the key cylinder halo light.
19. Remove the 3 wiring harness connectors from the ignition switch.
20. If the vehicle is equipped with a 3 speed nonelectronic transmission, remove the PRNDL actuating cable from the pin on the gear shifter The PRNDL actuating cable must be removed from the pin on the gear shifter prior to removing the gear selector cable from the gear shifter.
21. Remove the attaching clip for the PRNDL actuating cable from the steering column shift cable bracket.
22. Remove the gear selector cable from the gear shifter the steering column. Gear selector cable is removed from pin on shift module by care fully prying it off with a screw driver.
23. Remove the gear selector cable and its mounting bracket as an assembly, from the upper mounting bracket for the steering column.
24. Remove the instrument cluster trim bezel from the instrument panel. The trim bezel is mounted to the instrument panel using 2 attaching screws and retaining clips.
25. Remove the steering column fixed shroud from the steering column assembly. Shroud is mounted to steering column using 2 attaching screws accessed from top of fixed shroud.
26. Disconnect the steering column shaft coupler, from the steering gear intermediate steering coupler.
27. Loosen but do not fully remove the 2 nut/ washer assemblies attaching the steering column lower mounting bracket. Then remove the 2 nut/washer assemblies attaching the steering column .
28. Remove steering column assembly from vehicle. Use care to avoid damage to paint or interior trim.
INSTALLATION
1. Ensure the plastic mounting capsules are installed in the upper mounting bracket of the steering column. Mounting capsules must be installed as shown in with the thicker edge of the capsule facing the top of the steering column.
2. Install steering column assembly into its opening in instrument panel. Install the steering column lower bracket so the bracket is squarely installed one its mounting studs. Then align and install steering column upper bracket on its mounting studs. Tighten the 4 steering column assembly mounting nut/washer assemblies to a torque of 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).
3. Assemble the steering column shaft coupler onto the steering gear intermediate coupler. Install steering column coupler to intermediate shaft retaining pinch bolt. Tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.). Install safety pin in steering column shaft coupler pinch bolt.
4. Install the gear selector cable and its mounting bracket on the upper mounting bracket of the steering column. Install and securely tighten the mounting bracket attaching bolt.
5. Install the gear selector cable on the pin of the gear shifter.
6. If the vehicle is equipped with a 3 speed nonelectronic transmission, install the PRNDL actuating cable on the gear shifter pin after the gear selector cable is installing.
7. If the vehicle is equipped with a 3 speed nonelectronic transmission, install the attaching clip for the PRNDL actuating cable on the steering column/shift cable bracket. Cable guide tube will bow toward passenger side of vehicle. Verify that actuating cable is operating correctly, then slip the loop on the end of the cable over end of pin on shift lever and install in groove.
8. Install the steering column fixed shroud on the steering column assembly. Shroud is mounted to steering column using 2 attaching screws accessed from top of fixed shroud.
9. Install the instrument cluster trim bezel on the instrument panel. The trim bezel is mounted to the instrument panel using 2 attaching screws and retaining clips.
10. Install the 3 wiring harness connectors on the ignition switch.
11. Install the vehicle wiring harness connector into the key cylinder halo light.
12. Install the multi-function switch on the tilt head of the steering column assembly. Then install screw attaching multi-function switch to tilt head of steering column.
13. Install the vehicle wiring harness connector on the multi-function switch. Be sure latch on connector is fully engaged with tab on switch.
14. Install the clockspring on the multi-function switch.
15. Install the vehicle wiring harness connector on the clock spring assembly.
16. Install the lower steering column shroud on the tilt head of the steering column. Install and securely tighten the screw attaching the lower shroud to the tilt head.
17. Install the upper steering column shroud on the tilt head of the steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws attaching the upper shroud to the lower shroud.
CAUTION: Before installing the steering wheel the clockspring must be centered. If clockspring is not centered, the wiring in the clockspring may be overextended and break when the steering wheel is rotated. Use the following procedure to center the clockspring.
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING PROCEDURE
- Depress the 2 plastic locking pins to disengage the lock mechanism.
- With the lock mechanism disengaged, rotate the clockspring rotor clockwise until the rotor stops. Do not apply excessive force.
- From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor three turns counterclockwise. The clockspring wires should be at the top. Engage clockspring locking pins.
- From the center locked position, rotate the clock spring one-half additional turn counterclockwise. The clockspring wiring should now be at the bottom. The clockspring is now correctly positioned for installation of the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not force steering wheel onto steering column shaft by driving it on. Pull steering wheel down onto shaft using only the steering wheel retaining nut.
18. Align master splines on steering wheel and steering shaft, and flats on steering wheel with formations on clockspring. Install the steering wheel on the steering column shaft. All wiring leads from the clockspring must be routed as shown.
NOTE: Before installing the damper on the steering wheel, inspect the damper to ensure the rubber isolator on the damper is not deteriorated or damaged. If the damper is installed with a damaged isolator a buzz, squeak or rattle condition may develop.
19. Install the steering wheel damper on the steering wheel. When damper is installed, it must be positioned on the steering wheel as shown in the image.
20. Install the steering wheel retaining nut. Tighten the steering wheel retaining nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
21. Connect the wiring lead from the clockspring to the remote radio control connector.
22. Install the wiring leads from the clockspring on the airbag, horn switch wire, and speed control switches. Attach the wire routing clip to the studs on the airbag module.
23. Install the airbag module in the steering wheel.
24. Install the 3 bolts (1 in each spoke of the steering wheel) attaching the airbag module to the steering wheel. Tighten the 3 airbag module attaching nuts to a torque of 11 Nm (100 inch lbs.).
25. Install the steering column cover liner on the lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten the 10 bolts attaching the steering column cover liner to the instrument panel.
26. Install the parking brake pedal release cable on the parking brake release lever in the lower steering column cover.
27. Install the lower steering column trim panel on the lower instrument panel. Install and securely the screws attaching the lower steering column cover to the instrument panel.
28. Connect negative (ground) cable on the battery terminal.