Steering Column: Service and Repair

CAUTION: The wheel of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the "LOCK" position before disconnecting the steering column from the steering gear.Failure to do so will cause the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) coil assembly to become uncentered which will cause damage to the SRS coil assembly.

NOTE: - Before removing the steering column, perform the following:
^ Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
^ Turn the ignition switch to "LOCK" and disconnect the negative battery terminal cable, and wait at least 5 minutes.
^ Disconnect the yellow 3-way SRS connector located under the steering column.








REMOVAL
1. Remove the drivers air bag assembly after doing the following.
- Loosen the driver air bag assembly fixing bolt from behind the steering wheel assembly using a TORX driver or equivalent until the driver air bag assembly can be released from steering assembly.
- Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located behind the driver air bag assembly.





WARNING: The air bag assembly should always be carried with the urethane cover away from your body and should always be laid on a flat surface with the urethane side up. This is necessary because a free space is provided to allow the air cushion to expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

2. Remove the steering wheel after performing the following.





- Apply a setting mark across the steering wheel and shaft so parts can be reassembled in their original position.





- Use the J-29752 steering wheel remover special tool to remove the steering wheel. Make sure to move the tires to the straight ahead position before removing the steering wheel.
3. Detach the instrument panel lower cover and then remove the engine hood opening lever.
4. Remove the illumination light harness connectors then the lower cluster and the meter cluster then the driver side knee bolster.
5. Remove the vent duct then remove the steering column cover
6. Remove the combination switch and SRS coil assembly after disconnecting the wiring harness connectors located under the steering column.





7. Remove the combination switch assembly with SRS coil.

NOTE: The SRS coil is a part of combination switch assembly, which can not be replaced separately. Therefore, be sure not to remove the SRS coil from the combination switch assembly.

8. Detach the snap ring.
9. Remove the cushion rubber then the shift lock cable (For A/T).
10. Remove the lock cylinder assembly after disconnecting the starter switch harness connector located under the steering column.





11. Remove the steering column assembly and apply a setting mark across the universal joint and steering shaft to reassemble the parts in their original position.

NOTE: A setting mark can be easily made if the shaft is withdrawn a little by loosening the steering shaft universal joint.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the steering column assembly after aligning the setting marks on the universal joint and steering shaft made during removal then do the following.
- Tighten the steering column fixing bolt (dash panel) to 19 Nm (14 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the steering column fixing bolt (pedal bracket) to 17 Nm (13 ft. lbs.).
- Tighten the universal joint to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
2. Install the lock cylinder assembly then attach the shift lock cable (For A/T).
3. Install the cushion rubber then the snap ring.





4. Install the combination switch and SRS coil assembly and, after installation of combination switch assembly, connect the combination switch wiring harness connector and the SRS 3-way connector located under the steering column then turn the SRS coil clockwise to full' return about 3 turns and align the neutral mark.

CAUTION: When turning the SRS coil clockwise to full, stop turning if resistance is felt. Forced further turning may damage to the cable in the SRS coil.





5. Attach the steering column cover and noting that when installing the steering column cover, be sure to wire (through each harness) as illustrated so that the harnesses starter switch, combination switch and SRS coil may not catch wiring.
6. attach the vent duct, the drivers knee holster then the meter and lower clusters.
7. Install the instrument panel lower cover then the illumination light harness connectors and the engine hood opening lever.
8. Attach the steering wheel after aligning the setting marks made when removing.

CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel in direction of the shaft by using a hammer or other impact tools in an attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.

9. Tighten the steering wheel fixing nut to 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the drivers air bag assembly taking care to support the module and carefully connect the module connector.





11. Pass the lead wire through the tabs on the plastic cover (wire protector) of inflator to prevent lead wire from being pinched then do the following.
- Secure the module with one bolt to relieve weight on the connector wire.
- Tighten bolts to 8 Nm (69 inch lbs.) in the sequence as shown in the figure.
- Connect the yellow 3-way SRS connector located under the steering column.
- Connect the battery negative terminal cable.

NOTE: Set ignition to "ON" while watching warning light. The light should flash 7 times and then go off.