Steering Column: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

CAUTION: Do not remove the steering column, steering wheel and air bag module as an assembly from the vehicle unless the steering column is locked to prevent rotation or lower end of steering shaft is wired in such a way to prevent the steering wheel from being rotated, as this will damage the air bag sliding contact.

NOTE: All steering column components are assembled with specific fasteners. They are designed with a thread locking system to prevent loosening due to vibrations associated with normal vehicle operation.

1. Make sure vehicle front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY MUST BE DISCONNECTED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT IS SERVICED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

2. Disconnect battery ground cable. Disconnect air bag backup power supply. See Air Bags and Seat Belts.
3. Remove steering wheel.
4. Remove lower instrument panel trim cover.
5. Remove air bag sliding contact.
6. Remove tilt wheel handle and shank by unscrewing it from column and removing four screws.
7. Rotate ignition switch lock cylinder to RUN position. Using a 1/8-inch drift, press lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove ignition switch lock cylinder.
8. Remove four upper and lower steering column shroud retaining screws. Remove upper steering column shroud and lower steering column shrouds.





9. Remove two instrument panel reinforcement brace retaining bolts. Remove reinforcement.
10. Disconnect shift cable and bracket from steering column by removing two screws.





11. Disconnect transmission shift cable loop from shift tube hook (column shift).
12. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws and set multi-function switch aside. Remove retaining screw and remove wiring connector from ignition switch.
13. Remove two front steering column nuts and steering column impact absorber.
14. Remove pinch bolt from steering column lower yoke.
15. While supporting column assembly, remove two rear column assembly retaining nuts. Lower column and disconnect parking brake release vacuum hose extensions at parking brake release switch or remove vacuum release assembly.
16. Disconnect shift cable and bracket from selector lever pivot.
17. Remove shift cable and bracket from lower column mounting.
18. Remove two shift lock actuator retaining screws and remove shift lock actuator (console shift only).
19. Remove steering column from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Place steering column in vehicle and align the steering column lower yoke to lower steering column shaft. Install bolt and tighten to 25-35 Nm (19-25 ft. lbs.).
2. Connect parking brake release vacuum hose extensions.
3. Position shift lock actuator and install two retaining so-rows (console shift only).
4. Position steering column assembly on instrument panel reinforcement bracket. Install two rear retaining nuts and tighten to 13-17 Nm (10-12 ft. lbs.).
5. Position shift cable and bracket to lower column. Attach two screws to column. Tighten to 7-11 Nm (62-97 inch lbs.) (column shift).
6. Snap shift cable and bracket onto shift selector pivot ball.
7. Position multi-function switch and install two retaining screws. Tighten to 2-3 Nm (18-26 inch lbs.).
8. Connect all electrical connectors.
9. Attach shift cable and bracket loop on shift selector hook and install control selector cable bracket to actuator housing (column shift). Install retaining screw.
10. Install steering column impact absorber and secure with two retaining nuts. Tighten to 13-19 Nm (10-14 ft. lbs.).
11. Install lower instrument panel trim cover.
12. Install upper and lower steering column shrouds and four retaining screws. Tighten to 0.6-1.0 Nm (6-8 inch lbs.).
13. Install ignition switch lock cylinder.
14. Install tilt wheel handle and shank onto column.
15. Install air bag sliding contact retaining screws. Tighten to 2-3 Nm (18-26 inch lbs.).
16. Install steering wheel onto column shaft. Install a new bolt and tighten to 31-48 Nm (23-35 ft. lbs.).
17. Position driver side air bag module to steering wheel. Install two retaining screws. Tighten to 4-5 Nm (36-44 inch lbs.).
18. Connect battery ground cable and air bag backup power supply.
19. Verify air bag warning indicator operation.