Fixed Jacket Tube

NOTE: Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts, Service Precautions. Restraints and Safety Systems Also see Air Bags, Arming and Disarming.

1. Remove steering wheel, then instrument cluster.
2. Remove steering lock as described under Steering Column Lock.
3. Remove lower dashboard trim panel.
4. Remove spiral with electrical connectors. Ensure front wheels are pointed straight ahead.
5. Remove steering coupling to steering gear bolt. Allow coupling to remain on gear.
6. On vehicles equipped with carbon contacts, remove carrier plate with horn and air bag carbon contacts.
7. On vehicles equipped with 4MATIC and/or ADS, disconnect steering angle sensor electrical connector, then remove carrier plate with sensor and wiring.
8. Remove combination switch/Tempomat cruise control switch.
9. Remove jacket tube trim, then jacket tube to crossmember bolts.
10. Remove lower bracket nuts, then bracket brace.
11. Remove jacket tube with lower steering shaft.
12. Reverse procedure to install, noting following:
a. Apply light coat of suitable multi-purpose grease to cup seal and mount it in firewall. Ensure correct fit.
b. Place steering shaft in center, with trigger lugs toward turn signal switch.
c. Bring steering gear into center position with wheels pointing straight ahead.
d. Carefully install entire jacket tube, inserting end in steering coupling. Do not force. Lower steering shaft corrugated tube is sensitive to side forces.
e. Torque steering coupling hex head bolt to 18 ft. lbs.
f. Torque jacket tube to cross member bolt to 14 ft. lbs.
g. Torque lower bracket hex head nut to 14 ft. lbs.
h. Check steering shaft for runout. Runout should not exceed 0.079 inch.
i. Check steering coupling.