Models Less Airbag

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. 12 Exploded View Of Fixed Steering Column:

Fig. 13 Exploded View Of Tilt Steering Column View:

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering column cover from lower portion of instrument panel by taking out self-tapping screws.
3. On models equipped with tilt column, remove tilt release lever by removing one retaining screw.
4. On all models, remove ignition lock cylinder.
5. Remove three self tapping screws from bottom of lower shroud, then the shroud.
6. Remove horn pad and steering wheel assembly.
7. On models equipped with column shift, proceed as follows:
a. Disconnect PRNDL cable from lock cylinder housing by removing retaining screw.
b. Disconnect PRNDL cable from shift socket.
c. Remove PRNDL cable from retaining hook on bottom of lock cylinder housing.
8. On all models, disconnect speed control/horn brush wiring connector from main wiring harness.
9. Remove multi-function switch wiring harness retainer from lock cylinder housing by squeezing end of retainer and pushing out.
10. Disconnect multi-function switch connector from switch and remove switch from lock cylinder housing by removing two self tapping screws.
11. Disconnect key warning buzzer switch electrical connector from main wiring harness.
12. Disconnect electrical connector from ignition switch.
13. Disconnect steering shaft from intermediate shaft by removing two nuts and one U-clamp.
14. On models equipped with column shift, proceed as follows:
a. Remove shift cable plastic terminal from column selector lever pivot ball using a screwdriver and prying between plastic terminal and selector lever. Be careful not to damage cable during or after assembly.
b. Remove shift cable bracket (with shift cable still attached) from lock cylinder housing by taking out two retaining screws.
15. On models equipped with automatic parking brake release mechanism, remove vacuum hose from parking brake release switch.
16. On models equipped with tilt column, remove tilt return spring.
17. On all models, unbolt column assembly from mounting bracket by removing bolt or nuts.
18. While supporting column assembly, unbolt column assembly from steering column support bracket by removing two bolts or nuts.
19. Rotate column assembly so that intermediate bracket mounting flanges will pass through instrument panel opening and slowly pull column assembly through instrument panel.

Installation

1. Rotate column assembly so that intermediate bracket mounting flanges will pass through instrument panel opening and slowly slide column assembly forward while feeding steering shaft universal joint tongue over forward mounting bracket.
2. Rotate column assembly clockwise and hand start two retaining bolts that attach column assembly to column support bracket.
3. Hand start one TORX head bolt that attaches column assembly to intermediate mounting bracket.
4. Center column assembly in instrument opening. Tighten TORX head bolt or nuts to 15-25 ft. lbs.
5. Torque two retaining bolts or nuts to 15-25 ft. lbs.
6. On models equipped with tilt column, attach tilt return spring.
7. On models equipped with automatic parking brake release mechanism, install vacuum hose on parking brake release switch.
8. On models equipped with column shift, proceed as follows:
a. Attach shift cable bracket (with shift cable attached) to lock cylinder housing with two retaining screws. Torque to 30-60 inch lbs.
b. Snap transmission shift cable terminal to selector lever pivot ball on steering column.
9. On all models, connect steering shaft to intermediate shaft with one U-clamp and two hex nuts. Torque to 15-25 ft. lbs. Tilt column must be in middle position before nuts are tightened.
10. Reconnect ignition switch electrical connector.
11. Reconnect key warning buzzer switch electrical connector.
12. Install multi-function switch to lock cylinder housing with two self tapping screws.
13. Install multi-function switch wiring harness retainer over shroud mounting boss and snap it into the slot in lock cylinder housing.
14. Reconnect speed control/horn brush electrical connector to main wiring harness.
15. On models equipped with column shift, proceed as follows:
a. Install PRNDL cable into retaining hook on lock cylinder housing.
b. Connect PRNDL cable to shift socket.
c. Loosely install PRNDL cable onto lock cylinder housing with one retaining screw.
d. To adjust PRNDL cable, place shift lever in Drive position with CLC transmission or in Overdrive position with AXOD transmission. Adjust PRNDL cable until pointer is centered on D for CLC transmission or OD on AXOD transmission. Tighten hex head screw. Cycle shift lever through all positions and ensure PRNDL pointer is centered over proper letter or number in each position.
16. Install steering wheel, horn pad and shrouds.
17. On tilt columns, install tilt release lever.
18. Install ignition lock cylinder and steering column cover.
19. Connect battery ground cable and ensure all steering column functions operate properly.