Tilt Columns
DISASSEMBLEFig 14 Steering Column Support Fixture:
Tilt steering columns can be disassembled to the jacket when installed in vehicle. It must be removed from vehicle if further disassembly is required. If column is removed for service, install column support fixture tool.
1. If necessary, remove steering column from vehicle. Attach column support tool and clamp in vise.
2. If steering column remains in vehicle, place front wheels in straight-ahead position.
3. Disconnect battery ground cable, then remove steering wheel.
4. On column shift models, remove gear selector lever retaining pin and lever from housing.
5. On all models, remove lockplate cover.
6. Compress lockplate with compressor tool No. J-23653-B, or equivalent, release steering shaft retaining snap ring.
7. Remove lockplate compressor tool and retaining snap ring.
8. Remove lockplate, canceling cam, upper bearing preload spring and thrust washer from steering column/shaft.
9. Remove hazard warning switch knob by pressing knob inward and turning counterclockwise.
10. On column shift models, proceed as follows:
a. Remove gear selector indicator cover retaining screws.
b. Remove gear selector indicator lamp bracket retaining screw. Do not remove lamp and bracket at this time.
11. On all models, remove tilt-release lever.
12. Disconnect turn signal wire harness connector, then remove plastic protector from wire harness.
13. Remove turn signal switch retaining screws and dimmer switch actuator arm, then the switch.
14. Remove wiper switch wire harness and all other wire harnesses located within steering column.
15. Insert key into lock cylinder and turn to the On position.
16. 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.
17. With lock cylinder in On position, remove retaining screw and pull lock cylinder out of steering column.
Fig 16 Ignition Dimmer Switches Removal:
18. Remove ignition switch and dimmer switch from lower end of steering column.
19. Remove screws attaching lock cylinder housing cover to steering column jacket, then the cover.
Fig 31 Upper Bearing & Race:
20. Remove upper bearing race and bearing seat from steering shaft
21. Install tilt-release lever and place steering column in full upward tilt position. The tilt spring guide retainer retains strong spring force.
Fig 32 Tilt Spring & Retainer:
22. Press tilt spring guide retainer inward and turn it counterclockwise until retainer tabs disengage from lock cylinder housing lugs. Remove tilt spring guide retainer, guide and spring from housing.
23. Position steering column in center, non-tilt position.
24. Using pivot pin removal tool No. J21854-01, or equivalent, remove lock cylinder housing-to-steering column support pivot pins.
25. Lift tilt-release lever to release lock shoes. Pull lock cylinder housing upward to disengage shoes, then turn housing clockwise to separate lock rack from remote rod. Remove lock cylinder housing from support.
26. Remove tilt-release lever from lock cylinder housing.
27. Remove lock sector spring retaining screw, then the spring. Rotate spring in a clockwise direction to remove it from lock bolt.
28. Remove lock bolt, lock rack, preload spring and remote rod from lock cylinder housing.
29. To relieve spring tension on tilt-release lever pin and lock shoe pin, insert wedge between lock shoes and lock cylinder housing.
30. Using pin punch, remove tilt-release lever pin from lock cylinder housing.
31. Using pin punch, remove lock shoe pin from lock cylinder housing.
32. Remove lock shoes, springs and wedge.
33. Check upper and lower bearings and races for damage or wear. If necessary, remove from lock cylinder and discard.
34. Remove steering shaft from upper end of steering column.
35. Separate steering shaft by folding it 90° at flexible joint and detaching upper lower shaft halves.
36. Remove column support attaching bolts, then the column support.
37. Remove shift gate attaching screws, then shift gate from column support.
38. Remove retainer and bearing from lower end of steering column.
39. Remove shift tube retaining ring and thrust washer.
40. Using suitable puller, remove shift tube from steering column jacket.
41. Tilt upper end of retainer plate toward lower end of column, turn plate counterclockwise and remove plate.
42. On column shift models, remove wave washer and shift tube spring.
43. Remove shift bowl from steering column jacket.
Fig 33 Key Release Lever & Spring Removal:
44. On console shift models, remove key-release lever and lever spring from shroud. To remove lever, tilt lever forward and lift upward.
ASSEMBLE, COLUMN SHIFT
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. Install shift bowl on steering column jacket.
2. Install shift tube spring, wave washer and retainer plate in shift bowl.
3. Insert shift tube through lower end of steering column aligning tube key/spline with shift bowl keyway.
4. Insert installation tools in shift tube. The spring loaded lower foot of tool must engage shift tube inner shoulder and tool guide must be seated in shift tube. Tighten nut on stud only enough to obtain a snug fit against spring tension.
Fig 34 Shift Tube Installation:
5. Remove nut and place receiver installation tool over stud.
6. Install and tighten nut to force shift tube into shift bowl. Remove installation tools.
7. Install shift tube thrust washer and retainer plate snap ring.
8. Install lower bearing in steering column.
9. Position shift gate in steering column support, then install attaching screws.
10. Position steering column support in steering column.
11. Install steering column support attaching screws finger-tight, then torque alternately and evenly to 60 inch lbs.
12. Install remote rod in steering column support. Route rod through upper end of shroud and insert it into rod slot located in support.
13. Install dimmer and ignition switches.
14. Install steering shaft in steering column.
15. If removed, lubricate and install new races and bearings in lock cylinder.
16. Using an 0.18 inch diameter rod for alignment, install lock shoes, lock shoe springs and lock shoe pins in lock cylinder housing.
17. Install tilt-release lever, spring and pin into lock cylinder housing. Insert wedge between housing and lever to relieve spring tension.
18. Install lock bolt in lock cylinder housing engaging bolt in lock sector cam surface.
19. Install lock rack, preload spring and new shim in lock cylinder housing. Square block tooth on lock rack must mate with square block tooth on lock sector.
20. Install lock spring and spring retaining screw. Torque screw to 35 inch lbs.
21. Align and install assembled lock cylinder housing on steering column support. Retain lock shoes in disengaged position.
22. Align pivot pin holes in lock cylinder housing with those in steering column support and install pivot pins. Use punch and hammer to seat pins completely.
23. Insert tilt-release lever in lock cylinder housing, then place housing in full-upward tilt position.
24. Lubricate tilt spring guide and tilt spring, then position spring on guide.
25. Insert tilt spring guide and spring into lock cylinder housing, then install guide retainer over spring. Ensure retainer lock tabs are engaged with housing lugs.
26. Place cover on lock cylinder housing. Install retaining screws, and torque screws to 60 inch lbs.
27. Install gear selector indicator cover and retaining screws.
28. Route dimmer switch wire harness and gear selector indicator wires through steering column.
29. Install lock cylinder housing. Rotate cylinder until cylinder key is aligned with keyway in housing. Install retaining screw and torque to 40 inch lbs.
30. Insert ignition key in cylinder and turn to On position, then install key warning buzzer switch.
31. Install turn signal switch. Do not install retaining screws at this time.
32. Install windshield wiper wire harness and switch. Route wire harness down through column jacket.
33. If equipped, route cruise control wire harness through steering column jacket.
34. Install turn signal/wiper/dimmer switch/cruise control (if equipped) stalk.
35. Insert hazard warning knob in switch and press inward. Install turn signal switch retaining screws. Ensure switch is properly seated before tightening screws. Torque attaching screws to 33 inch lbs. Thread hazard warning switch knob into switch and pull knob outward.
36. Install and seat upper bearing race in lock cylinder housing.
37. Install upper bearing preload spring, canceling cam and lockplate.
Fig 26 Lockplate Snap Ring Installation:
38. Install new lockplate retaining snap ring on sleeve of compressor tool, then tool on steering shaft.
39. Compress lockplate with compressor tool and position snap ring in steering shaft groove.
40. Remove compressor tool. Ensure snap ring is completely seated in groove before removing tool.
41. Install lockplate cover, then gear selector lever and retaining pin.
42. Install steering wheel.
43. Insert ignition key in lock cylinder. Turn cylinder to Off position, then move ignition switch downward to eliminate any switch-to-rod lash. Torque switch attaching screws to 35 inch lbs.
44. Depress dimmer switch slightly and insert a 3/32 inch drill bit into adjustment hole.
45. Loosen retaining screws and move dimmer switch toward steering wheel to remove any lash from actuator rod. Torque dimmer switch retaining screws to 35 inch lbs.
46. Remove drill bit. Test dimmer switch operation in full-up, down and center steering wheel positions.
47. Install steering column in vehicle if necessary.
ASSEMBLE, CONSOLE SHIFT
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. Position key-release lever spring on lever, then install lever in shroud.
2. Install shroud on steering column jacket, then the retainer plate.
3. Install steering column jacket in support, then support in steering column. To fully seat support, press key-release lever downward while pressing support in place.
4. Install all support retaining screws finger tight, then torque screws alternately and evenly to 60 inch lbs.
5. Install remote rod in steering column support.
6. Install dimmer and ignition switches.
7. Install steering shaft in steering column.
8. If removed, lubricate and install new races and bearings in lock cylinder.
9. Using an 0.18 inch diameter rod for alignment, install lock shoes, lock shoe springs and lock shoe pins in lock cylinder housing.
10. Install tilt-release lever, spring and pin into lock cylinder housing. Insert wedge between housing and lever to relieve spring tension.
11. Install lock bolt in lock cylinder housing engaging bolt in lock sector cam surface.
12. Install lock rack, preload spring and new shim in lock cylinder housing. Square block tooth on lock rack must mate with square block tooth on lock sector.
13. Install lock spring and spring retaining screw. Torque screw to 35 inch lbs.
14. Align and install assembled lock cylinder housing on steering column support. Retain lock shoes in disengaged position.
15. Align pivot pin holes in lock cylinder housing with those in steering column support and install pivot pins. Use punch and hammer to seat pins completely.
16. Insert tilt-release lever in lock cylinder housing, then place housing in full-upward tilt position.
17. Lubricate tilt spring guide and tilt spring, then position spring on guide.
18. Insert tilt spring guide and spring into lock cylinder housing, then install guide retainer over spring. Ensure retainer lock tabs are engaged with housing lugs.
19. Place cover on lock cylinder housing. Install retaining screws, and torque screws to 60 inch lbs.
20. Route dimmer switch wire harness through steering column.
21. Install lock cylinder housing. Rotate cylinder until cylinder key is aligned with keyway in housing. Install retaining screw and torque to 40 inch lbs.
22. Insert ignition key in cylinder and turn to On position, then install key warning buzzer switch.
23. Install turn signal switch. Do not install retaining screws at this time.
24. Install windshield wiper wire harness and switch. Route wire harness down through column jacket.
25. If equipped, route cruise control wire harness through steering column jacket.
26. Install multi-function stalk, if equipped.
27. Insert hazard warning knob in switch and press inward. Install turn signal switch retaining screws. Ensure switch is properly seated before tightening screws. Torque attaching screws to 33 inch lbs. Thread hazard warning switch knob into switch and pull knob outward.
28. Install and seat upper bearing race in lock cylinder housing.
29. Install upper bearing preload spring, canceling cam and lockplate.
30. Install new lockplate retaining snap ring on sleeve of compressor tool, then tool on steering shaft.
31. Compress lockplate with compressor tool and position snap ring in steering shaft groove.
32. Remove compressor tool. Ensure snap ring is completely seated in groove before removing tool.
33. Install lockplate cover, then steering wheel.
34. Insert ignition key in lock cylinder. Turn cylinder to Off position, then move ignition switch downward to eliminate any switch to rod lash. Torque switch attaching screws to 35 inch lbs.
35. Depress dimmer switch slightly and insert a 3/32 inch drill bit into adjustment hole.
36. Loosen retaining screws and move dimmer switch toward steering wheel to remove any lash from actuator rod. Torque dimmer switch retaining screws to 35 inch lbs.
37. Remove drill bit. Test dimmer switch operation in full-up, down and center steering wheel positions.
38. Install steering column in vehicle if necessary.