Removal

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, refer to Steering Column Warning and Driver Airbag Removal.

1. Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position before beginning the column removal procedure.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative (ground) cable from the battery. Wait at least two minutes for the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge before beginning any steering column, instrument panel, or airbag system/component service.

WARNING: WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG IS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. ALLOW THE AIRBAG SYSTEM RESERVE CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO MINUTES BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR COMPONENT SERVICE. PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT IF THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT FOLLOWED.




Figure 1 Driver Airbag Mounting






3. Remove the driver airbag mounting screws (Figure 1).




Figure 2 Driver Airbag Wiring Connections






4. Lift the airbag from its mount and disconnect two airbag squib, speed control and horn connectors (Figure 2). Remove driver airbag. Properly store the driver airbag out of the way.




Figure 3 Steering Wheel Mounting






5. Remove the steering wheel retaining bolt (Figure 3).
6. Remove damper (Figure 3).
7. If equipped, disconnect the remote audio control switch wiring from the clockspring (Figure 3).




Figure 4 Steering Wheel Removal







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 the bolts are threaded into the steering wheel more than a half inch they will contact and damage the clockspring.

8. Remove the steering wheel using a standard wheel puller(Figure 4).
9. Remove the knee blocker/steering column opening cover.
10. Remove the parking brake release handle link.
11. Remove the knee blocker/steering column cover plate.




Figure 5 Upper Shroud Mounting






12. Remove the upper shroud mounting screws (Figure 5). Using hands on each side of the column, gently press inward at seams between the two shrouds at points of contact to disengage inner locking tabs, then remove upper shroud. If the vehicle is equipped with traction control, the lower shroud will need to be removed once the upper shroud is unfastened in order to disconnect the traction control wiring connector and remove the upper shroud with the traction control switch intact. Refer to the following steps.




Figure 6 Adjustable Pedals Switch Mounting






13. If equipped with adjustable pedals, disconnect the wiring connector for the switch (Figure 6).




Figure 7 Lower Shroud Mounting






14. Remove the lower shroud mounting screw (Figure 7), then remove the lower shroud.




Figure 8 Traction Control Wiring Connection






15. If equipped with traction control, disconnect the wiring connector from the column wiring harness (Figure 8). Remove the upper shroud with traction control switch.
16. Remove the cluster trim bezel.




Figure 9 Fixed Shroud Mounting






17. Remove the screws fastening the fixed shroud in place (Figure 9). Remove the fixed shroud.




Figure 10 Ignition Switch And BTSI Wiring Connections






18. Disconnect the column harness wiring connectors from the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) and ignition switch (Figure 10).




Figure 11 Multi-function And Clockspring Wiring Connections






19. Disconnect the column harness wiring connector for the multi-function switch (Figure 11).
20. Disconnect the column harness wiring connectors for the clockspring and SQUIB (Figure 11).




Figure 12 Sentry Key Immobilizer Module






21. If equipped with Sentry Key Immobilizer, disconnect the wiring connector from the SKIM (Figure 12).




Figure 13 Horn Ground At Column






22. Remove screw fastening horn ground wire to column (Figure 13).




Figure 14 Shift Cable Attachment To Column






23. Disconnect the shift cable at the lever pin (Figure 14).
24. Disconnect the shift cable at the bracket, then feed the cable out through bracket.(Figure 14).




Figure 15 Pinch Bolt






25. Remove the hair pin, then the pinch bolt (Figure 15). Disconnect the column coupling at the intermediate shaft.




Figure 16 Steering Column Mounting






26. Loosen the column lower mounting nuts (Figure 16).
27. Remove the column upper mounting nuts (Figure 16).
28. Remove the steering column (Figure 16).




Figure 17 Multi-Function Switch Mounting Housing Set-Screw






29. If the steering column is being replaced, remove the set-screw fastening the multi-function switch mounting housing to the column (Figure 17).




Figure 18 Multi-Function Switch Mounting Housing






30. If the steering column is being replaced, slide the multi-function switch mounting housing off the column (Figure 18).
31. If the steering column is being replaced, remove the mounting screw fastening the SKIM to the ignition key cylinder housing (Figure 12). Remove the SKIM.
32. If the steering column is being replaced, remove the halo from the ignition key cylinder housing (Figure 12).
33. If the steering column is being replaced, remove the ignition key lock cylinder.