Steering Column - Removal and Installation

CABALLERO & EL CAMINO

Removal

If it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, use a standard steering wheel puller. Do not hammer on end of shaft. Hammering could loosen the plastic tabs which maintain steering column rigidity.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove nut and bolt from upper intermediate shaft coupling.
3. Separate coupling from lower end of steering column.
4. Disconnect all electrical connectors and switches from steering column assembly.
5. Remove mounting bracket to instrument panel attaching nuts.
6. Disconnect shift position indicator pointer, if equipped, then remove column from vehicle.

Fig. 3 Steering column installation. Caballero & El Camino models:

Installation

1. Assemble lower dash cover (A) onto seal with 2 ``carrots'' (part of seal), Fig. 3.
2. Loosely assemble lower (A) and upper (B) dash cover with 2 screws (C) and (D). Dash cover must be able to slide onto steering column.
3. Connect bracket (E) onto steering column jacket and install bolt (F) first, bolt (G) second and bolts (H) and (J) last. Torque bolts to 30 lb ft
4. Install ignition switch electrical connector onto ignition switch.
5. Finger tighten nuts (M) onto instrument panel.
6. Install screw (R) onto toe plate. Torque screw to 45 lb in
7. Install screws (S) and (T). Torque screws to 45 lb in
8. Torque clamp screws (C) and (D) to 60 lb in
9. Install remaining cover screws and torque to 100 lb in
10. Torque nuts (M) to 25 lb ft