Removal and Installation

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. 18 Exploded View Of Steering Column:

Refer to Fig. 18 for steering column component identification.

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Center the steering wheel.
3. Remove upper universal joint-to-steering column shaft clamp bolt. Position clamp plate to the side and allow it to hang.
4. Remove upper and lower shroud retaining screws, then the shrouds. Steering column height adjuster may have to be lowered to remove upper shroud.
5. Remove hood release lever from column tube housing. Separate cable end from hood release lever. Remove outer cable casing from tube housing guide.
6. Disconnect horn switch, multi-function switch and ignition switch electrical connectors.
7. Remove lefthand vent register.
8. Remove lefthand instrument panel sound insulator.
9. Remove lefthand instrument panel trim panel retaining screws and clips, then the panel.
10. Separate auxiliary warning system module from trim panel.
11. Remove three column height adjuster mounting bracket-to-body retaining nuts.
12. Remove steering column from vehicle.

Installation

1. Set steering shaft to minimum length.
2. Position steering column in vehicle. Install three column height adjuster mounting bracket-to-body retaining nuts.
3. Set steering wheel column adjustment to maximum down and forward position.
4. Secure universal joint-to-steering column shaft with retaining clamp.
5. Install auxiliary warning system module to trim panel.
6. Install instrument panel trim panel.
7. Install lefthand instrument panel sound insulator.
8. Install lefthand vent register.
9. Reconnect horn switch, multi-function switch and ignition switch electrical connectors.
10. Install cable end to hood release lever, hood release lever to column tube housing, then the outer cable casing to tube housing guide.
11. Adjust column height to lowest position, then install upper and lower shrouds.
12. Install universal joint-to-steering column shaft clamp bolt, then ensure steering wheel is centered and torque clamp bolt to 15-22 ft. lbs.
13. Reconnect battery ground cable.