Steering Column: Service and Repair

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. 4 Steering Column Installation:

Fig. 5 Steering Column Exploded View:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Separate horn pad and cover assembly from steering wheel. Disconnect horn electrical connector from contact plate terminal. If equipped, disconnect speed control electrical connector.
3. Remove and discard steering wheel attaching bolt.
4. Using a suitable puller, separate steering wheel from steering shaft. To prevent damage to steering shaft bearing, never hit steering wheel attaching bolt or use a knock-off type steering wheel puller.
5. Remove bolts retaining lower righthand finish panel. Carefully separate finish panel from retaining clips.
6. Remove bolts retaining lower righthand reinforcement panel, then the panel.
7. Remove screws retaining lower and upper steering column shrouds, then the shrouds.
8. Disconnect ignition key courtesy light, cruise control, ignition switch, multi-function switch and steering shock absorber sensor electrical connectors.
9. Remove pinch bolt from steering shaft U-joint.
10. Remove nuts retaining steering column.
11. Disconnect hazard warning electrical connector.
12. Remove screw retaining starter interlock switch, then the switch.
13. Remove steering column from vehicle.
14. Reverse procedure to install noting the following:
a. Torque U-joint pinch bolt to 30-42 ft. lbs.
b. Torque new steering wheel attaching bolt to 23-33 ft. lbs.