Steering Column: Service and Repair
Steering Column:
Fig. 10 Exploded View Of Steering Column:
Fig. 10 Exploded View Of Steering Column:
Ensure front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then disarm airbag system as described under ``Airbag System Disarming.''
2. Remove four airbag retaining nuts, then lift module from steering wheel assembly.
3. Disconnect airbag wiring harness from airbag module, then remove airbag from vehicle. Place airbag module on bench with pad facing upward.
4. Disconnect speed control wiring harness from steering wheel, then remove steering wheel retaining bolt.
5. Install Steering Wheel Puller tool No. T67L-3600-A or equivalent, then remove steering wheel. Route wiring harness through steering wheel as wheel is lifted off shaft.
6. Remove the righthand and lefthand lower mouldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainers.
7. Remove instrument panel lower trim cover, then remove airbag clockspring as follows:
a. Place two strips of tape horizontally across the contact assembly stator and rotor to prevent accidental rotation.
b. Remove three contact assembly retaining screws, then pull contact assembly off steering column shaft.
8. Remove tilt lever by unscrewing it from the column.
9. Rotate ignition lock cylinder to the Run position, then using a 1/8 inch pin punch, depress lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove lock cylinder.
10. Remove four lower shroud retaining screws, then column shrouds.
11. Remove two instrument panel reinforcement brace retaining bolts, then reinforcement.
12. Remove steering column to parking brake control shake brace.
13. Disconnect gear position indicator cable from actuator housing.
14. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws, then position switch aside.
15. Remove pinch bolt from steering column to extension shaft, then compress extension shaft toward engine and separate from column shaft U-joint.
16. Disconnect shift cable from selector lever pivot.
17. Remove shift cable and bracket from lower column mounting.
18. Support steering column assembly, then remove four column retaining nuts. Lower column, then disconnect vacuum hoses.
19. Remove steering column from vehicle.
20. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque airbag clockspring assembly retaining screws to 18-26 inch lbs.
b. Torque U-joint pinch bolt to 26-41 ft. lbs.
c. Torque airbag module retaining nuts to 3-4 ft. lbs.
d. Rearm airbag system as described under ``Airbag System Disarming.''
e. Verify airbag warning indicator operation.