Instrument Panel Storage Bin Replacement

STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Fig. 20 Steering Column Opening Cover:

2. Reach under the left end of the instrument panel to access and unsnap the rod end clip on the park brake release link and disengage the link from the back of the handle (Fig. 20).
3. Remove the three screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel structural support.

Fig. 21 Steering Column Opening Cover Remove/Install:

4. Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the upper edge of the steering column opening cover just below the cluster bezel on each side of the steering column away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage each of the snap clip retainers from their receptacles in the instrument panel base trim (Fig. 21).
5. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.


1. Position the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel (Fig. 21).
2. Install the three screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the instrument structural support (Fig. 20).
3. Install the cluster bezel onto the instrument panel. Refer to Instrument Cluster Bezel Replacement. Instrument Cluster Bezel Replacement
4. Connect the battery negative cable.