Standard Columns

DISASSEMBLE

Fig 14 Steering Column Support Fixture:

Steering column removal is not necessary for lockplate cover, lockplate, steering shaft retaining ring, canceling cam, turn signal switch, upper bearing preload spring or ignition key/lock cylinder service. If steering column requires removal, remove steering column to instrument panel mounting bracket and install support fixture onto steering column.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering wheel, then lockplate cover.
3. Compress lockplate with compressor tool No. J-23635-B, or equivalent, then release steering shaft retaining snap ring.
4. Remove lockplate compressor tool and snap ring. When steering shaft retaining snap ring is removed, the steering shaft is no longer retained within the column.

Fig 15 Upper End Of Steering Column Disassembly:

5. Remove lockplate, canceling cam, upper bearing preload spring and thrust washer from steering column/shaft.
6. Ensure wiper switch is in Off position.
7. Remove hazard warning switch knob by pressing knob inward and turning counterclockwise.
8. Remove turn signal/wiper/cruise control stalk by pulling it straight out from column.
9. Disconnect turn signal wire harness connector.
10. Remove turn signal switch retaining screws and dimmer switch actuator arm, then remove switch.
11. Remove wiper switch wire harness and all other wire harnesses located within steering column.
12. Insert key into lock cylinder and turn to the On position.
13. Remove key warning buzzer switch and contacts as a unit. Do not remove key warning buzzer and contacts separately, as contacts may detach and drop into the steering column.
14. With lock cylinder in On position, remove retaining screw and pull lock cylinder out of steering column.

Fig 16 Ignition Dimmer Switches Removal:

15. Remove ignition switch and dimmer switch from lower end of steering column.
16. Complete disassembly on column shift models, as follows:
a. Remove gear selector lever upper pivot pin, then selector lever.
b. Remove upper bearing thrust washer.
c. Remove lock cylinder housing to steering column jacket attaching screws, then housing.
d. Remove thrust cap from lock cylinder housing.

Fig 17 Key Cylinder Housing Assembly:

e. Remove ignition switch actuating rod and rack, preload spring, shaft lock bolt and spring and shift lever detent plate from lock cylinder housing.

Fig 18 Lock Sector Removal:

f. Using blunt punch, disengage and remove lock sector.
g. Remove gear selector lever housing and shroud from steering column jacket.
h. Remove gear selector lever spring from lever housing.
i. Remove steering shaft.

Fig 19 Disassembling Lower End Of Steering Column:

j. Remove spring clip, lower bearing retainer, and adapter from steering column.
k. Remove shift tube.
17. Complete disassembly on console shift models, as follows:
a. Remove screws attaching lock cylinder housing and shroud to steering column jacket.
b. Remove dimmer switch actuator arm.
c. Disengage remote rod from lock rack.
d. Remove lock cylinder housing to shroud attaching screws, then separate housing and shroud.
e. Remove wave washer from key release lever pivot, then key release lever and pivot.

Fig 20 Lock Rack & Bolt Removal:

f. Remove lock rack and lock bolt.
g. Remove lock rack preload spring.
h. Using blunt punch, disengage and remove lock sector.
i. Remove steering shaft.
j. Remove spring clip, lower bearing retainer, lower bearing and adapter from steering column.

ASSEMBLE
Use only original or exact replacement screws, bolts and nuts to assemble steering column. Failure to use original or exact replacement parts could prevent column from compressing upon impact.

Apply chassis lubricant to all bearing, thrust and friction-producing mating surfaces before assembly.

1. On models equipped with column shift, proceed as follows:
a. Insert lock sector through hole in lock cylinder housing, installing it on lock sector shaft. Ensure lock sector turns freely.
b. Install lock rack preload spring. Bowed side of spring must contact lock rack when rack is installed.
c. Assemble lock bolt and lock rack.

Fig 21 Sector & Rack Alignment:

d. Install assembled lock bolt and lock rack in lock cylinder housing. Mate lock rack block tooth with lock sector block tooth.
e. Install shift lever detent plate, thrust cap and ignition switch actuating rod and rack in lock cylinder housing.
f. Install gear selector lever housing lower bearing.
g. Install gear selector lever spring in lever housing.
h. Install gear selector lever housing and shroud on upper end of steering column jacket. Rotate housing to ensure bearing is properly seated.
i. With gear selector lever housing in Park position and lock rack pulled downward, position and seat lock cylinder housing on steering column jacket.
j. Insert shift tube in lower end of steering column jacket, then rotate it until shift tube upper key slides into gear selector housing keyway.
k. Proceed to step three to complete assembly procedure.
2. On models equipped with console shift, proceed as follows:
a. Insert lock sector through hole in lock cylinder housing, installing it on lock sector shaft. Ensure lock sector turns freely.
b. Install lock rack preload spring. Bowed side of spring must contact lock rack when rack is installed.
c. Assemble lock bolt and lock rack.
d. Install assembled lock bolt and lock rack in lock cylinder housing. Mate lock rack block tooth with lock sector block tooth.

Fig 22 Key-release Lever & Return Spring Installation:

e. Install key-release lever return spring over threaded pivot post on lock cylinder housing.

Fig 23 Key Release Lever Installation:

f. Insert key-release lever finger into lock rack slot and position hole in lever over threaded pivot post on lock cylinder housing. Ensure inner end of spring contacts release lever.
g. Raise key-release lever slightly and install end of lever spring between lever and boss on housing.

Fig 24 Wave Washer Installation:

h. Lubricate and position wave washer on threaded pivot post. Washer should be resting on release lever.
i. Position shroud on lock cylinder housing. Torque attaching screws to 18 inch lbs. Ensure wave washer is not displaced while attaching shroud.
j. Insert short, hooked end of remote rod in lock rack.
k. Install assembled lock cylinder housing and shroud on steering column jacket. Torque attaching screws to 60 inch lbs.
l. Proceed to next step to complete assembly procedure.
3. On all models, install lock cylinder in housing. Insert key into cylinder, rotating cylinder until key is aligned with keyway in housing. Push lock cylinder inward, then install retaining screw, and torque to 40 inch lbs.
4. Turn lock cylinder to On position, then install key warning buzzer switch.
5. Install ignition switch as follows:

Fig 25 Ignition Switch Slider Positions:

a. Move ignition switch slider to Accessory position then back two clicks to the Off (unlocked) position. Remote rod hole in ignition switch slider should now be centered.
b. Insert remote rod in ignition switch slider hole, then install ignition switch on steering column jacket.
6. Install lower bearing, adapter, retainer and spring clip at lower end of steering column.
7. Install steering shaft through lower end of steering column, inserting it into upper bearing.
8. Position turn signal switch and wire harness in lock cylinder housing.
9. Install windshield wiper wire harness and switch.
10. Align turn signal switch in housing, torque attaching screw to 35 inch lbs.
11. Install dimmer switch actuator arm, torque attaching screws to 35 inch lbs.
12. Install multi-function switch stalk, if equipped, by pushing it straight into column.
13. Position thrust washer, upper bearing preload spring and canceling cam on steering shaft.
14. Place turn signal switch in neutral position, then install hazard warning switch knob.

Fig 26 Lockplate Snap Ring Installation:

15. Position lockplate on steering shaft and install new lockplate snap ring on sleeve of compressor tool. Install compressor tool on steering shaft.
16. Compress lockplate, then position snap ring in steering shaft groove. Ensure snap ring is completely seated in groove before removing compressor tool.
17. Remove compressor tool No. J-23653-B, or equivalent, then install lockplate cover.
18. Install steering wheel. Torque retaining nut to 25 ft. lbs.
19. Install steering column in vehicle, then connect battery ground cable.