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.



Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering wheel cover retaining screws from back side of steering wheel, then the cover.
3. Lift pad cover slightly at bottom, then slide it upward until center tab clears slots in steering wheel. Disconnect horn connector and speed control connectors, if equipped. Lift cover away from steering wheel.
4. Remove steering wheel retaining nut, then using a puller, T67L-3600-A or equivalent, remove steering wheel. Do not use or attempt to use a hammer to remove a steering wheel.
5. Remove four steering column lower cover attaching, then the lower cover.
6. Remove upper cover and disconnect three multi-function switch connectors.
7. Remove multi-function switch retaining screw, then pull electrical connectors from bracket and remove switch.
8. Disconnect ignition switch electrical connector, then remove shift-lock cable mounting bracket bolt, place bracket and cable aside.
9. Remove four steering column upper mounting bracket bolts and lower column.
10. Remove five set plate mounting nuts, then the set plate.
11. Remove intermediate shaft to pinion shaft bolt, two steering column lower mounting bracket nuts, then the column.

Installation

1. Position steering column and install two lower mounting bracket nuts, then the intermediate shaft to pinion shaft bolts. Torque bolts 30-36 ft. lbs.
2. Position set plate, then install five mounting nuts.
3. Install four steering column upper mounting bracket bolts, torquing to 80-123 ft. lbs.
4. Position shift lock cable mounting bracket and install bolt, torque bolt to 37-55 inch lbs.
5. Connect ignition switch electrical connectors and install multi-function switch.
6. Position steering wheel, then install retaining nut. Torque nut to 29-36 ft. lbs.
7. Connect horn electrical connectors and speed control connectors, if equipped.
8. Position steering wheel cover and install retaining screws.