Steering Column: Service and Repair

Steering Column (Part 1 Of 2):

Steering Column (Part 2 Of 2):

1. Ensure front wheels are in the straight ahead position.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable.
3. Remove four air bag module from steering wheel assembly.
4. Disconnect air bag wiring harness from air bag module, then remove air bag from vehicle. Place air bag module on bench with pad facing upward.
5. Disconnect speed control wiring harness from steering wheel, then remove steering wheel retaining bolt.
6. Install steering wheel puller T67 L-3600-A, or equivalent, then remove steering wheel. Route wiring harness through steering wheel as wheel is lifted off shaft.
7. Remove the righthand and lefthand lower moldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainers.
8. Remove instrument panel lower trim cover, then remove air bag 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.
9. Remove tilt lever by unscrewing it from the column.
10. Rotate ignition lock cylinder to the RUN position, then, using 1/8 inch pin punch, depress lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove lock cylinder.
11. Remove the column shrouds.
12. Remove the instrument panel reinforcement brace.
13. Remove steering column to parking brake control shake brace.
14. Disconnect gear position indicator cable from actuator housing.
15. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws, then position switch aside.
16. Remove pinch bolt from steering column to extension shaft, then compress extension shaft toward engine and separate from column shaft U-joint.
17. Disconnect shift cable from selector lever pivot.
18. Remove shift cable and bracket from lower column mounting.
19. Support steering column assembly, then remove four column retaining nuts. Lower column, then disconnect vacuum hoses.
20. Remove steering column from vehicle.
21. Reverse procedure to install.