Steering Column

Steering Column Replacement

^ Tools Required
- J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in Service Precautions.

Notice:
^ Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure.
^ The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.

1. Disable the SIR system.
2. Remove the steering wheel.
3. Remove the knee bolster.
4. Remove the range selector cable from the steering column (column shift only).





5. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640.





6. Loosen the steering column bulkhead connector center screw and disconnect the steering column bulkhead connector.





7. Remove the steering column to steering column toe plate retaining nuts.
8. Remove the steering column to steering column upper support bracket retaining nuts.
9. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
10. Remove the steering column upper intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the steering column upper intermediate steering shaft to the steering column.
2. Install the steering column to the vehicle.

Caution: In order to ensure the intended function of the steering column in a vehicle during a crash and in order to avoid personal injury to the driver, perform the following:
^ Tighten the steering column lower fasteners before you tighten the steering column upper fasteners. Failure to do this can damage the steering column.
^ Tighten the steering column fasteners to the specified torque. Overtightening the upper steering column fasteners could affect the steering column collapse.

3. Install the steering column to steering column toe plate retaining nuts.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the steering column to steering column upper support bracket retaining nuts.
4.1. Tighten the steering column to steering column toe plate retaining nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
4.2. Tighten the steering column to steering column upper support bracket retaining nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).





5. Connect the steering column bulkhead connector to the vehicle wire harness.
Tighten the steering column bulkhead connector center screw to 6 Nm (53 inch lbs.).





6. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the steering column lower trim cover access hole.
7. Install the range selector cable from the steering column (column shift only).
8. Install the knee bolster.
9. Install the steering wheel.
10. Enable the SIR system.