Models Less Airbag

When servicing collapsible steering columns, care should be exercised since they are extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping of or leaning on column or striking sharp blows on end of steering shaft or shift levers could loosen or shear plastic fasteners which maintain column rigidity. It is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used during the mandatory reassembly sequence and torqued to specifications to insure proper breakaway action of column under impact. Avoid using excessively long bolts as they may prevent a portion of the steering column from collapsing under impact. When removing or installing, steering wheel, ignition switch or lock, turn signal switch, adjusting transmission linkage, or installing and adjusting neutral-start or back-up light switch, refer to appropriate car chapter. If a shift tube shows a sheared plastic injection, a new shift tube must be installed. If a steering shaft shows a sheared plastic, or if the steering column has been collapsed a complete new column must be installed. On some models, the attaching brackets will shear under impact and must also be replaced.

Fig. 3 Exploded View Of Tilt Steering Column w/Column Shift:

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove two nuts retaining flexible coupling to flange on steering input shaft, then disengage safety strap and bolt assembly from flexible coupling.
3. On column shift automatic transmission models, disconnect transmission shift rod from transmission control selector lever. The old grommet must be replaced with a new one using tool T67P-7341-A or equivalent.
4. Remove steering wheel.
5. Remove steering column trim shrouds by loosening screws, then remove steering column cover and hood release mechanism from under column.
6. Disconnect all electrical connectors from steering column switches.
7. On column shift automatic transmission models, loosen four nuts retaining column to brake pedal support, then lower column to allow access to PRND21 lever and cable assembly. Reach between steering column and instrument panel and carefully lift PRND21 cable off cleat on lever, then remove PRND21 cable clamp from steering column tube. Use care to assure that column is not lowered too far so that plastic lever or cable is damaged due to weight of column.
8. Remove four screws attaching dust boot to dash panel and four nuts holding column to brake pedal support. Lower column to clear four mounting bolts and pull column so that U-joint assembly passes through clearance hole in dash panel.

Installation

1. Install steering column by inserting U-joint assembly and lower shift cane through dash panel opening.
2. Align four bolts on brake pedal support with mounting holes on column collar and bracket. Install nuts loosely so that column is supported with clearance between column and instrument panel.
3. Loosely assemble PRND21 cable clamp onto steering column outer tube, then reach between steering column and instrument panel and attach PRND21 cable onto lever by slipping loop on cable over cleat on lever.
4. Torque four nuts retaining column to brake pedal support to 20-37 ft. lbs.
5. Move shift selector into Drive position against drive stop on insert plate. Then rotate PRND21 bracket located about midpoint on steering column outer tube clockwise or counterclockwise until PRND21 pointer in instrument cluster aligns with D. Tighten nut on bracket.
6. Connect ignition switch, turn signal switch and washer/wiper switch connectors.
7. Engage safety strap and bolt assembly with flange on steering gear input shaft. Then install two nuts attaching steering column lower shaft and U-joint assembly to flange on steering gear input shaft and torque nuts to 20-37 ft. lbs. The safety strap must be properly positioned to prevent metal to metal contact after torquing the nuts. Also, flexible coupling must not be distorted when nuts are torqued. Pry steering shaft up or down with a pry bar to obtain 1/8 inch coupling insulator flatness.
8. Connect shift rod to shift lever at lower end of steering column using tool T67P-7341-A or equivalent. Make sure that a new grommet has been installed.
9. Loosen adjustment nut on transmission shift rod, then move manual lever to Drive position by rotating it rearward until it stops and then rotating forward two detent positions. Make sure shift lever handle on steering column is in Drive position. Apply a load of six pounds maximum on shift selector lever to assure that lever is located firmly against drive detent, then tighten nut on transmission shift rod.
10. Install dust boot, trim shrouds, hood release mechanism, steering column cover and steering wheel.
11. Reconnect battery ground cable and check steering column for proper operation.