Removal and Installation
RemovalNOTE: Removal and installation of the instrument panel is best accomplished by two people.
CAUTION: Whenever the steering column is separated from the steering gear (air bag equipped vehicles) for any reason, the steering column must be locked to prevent the steering wheel from being rotated, which in turn will prevent damage to the air bag clockspring.
NOTE: Before disconnecting cable on air bag equipped vehicles, ensure wheels are in straight ahead position. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position and rotate steering wheel about 16 degrees counterclockwise until locked into position.
1. Disconnect positive battery cable.
2. Disconnect speedometer cable at transaxle.
3. Remove two retaining screws at bottom of steering column opening and snap column cover out.
4. Remove snap-in lower cluster finish panel(s) to expose two screws and two bolts.
5. Remove four cluster opening finish panel retaining screws and pull panel rearward.
6. Remove four retaining bolts (two at top and two at bottom) to remove column opening reinforcement.
7. Remove speed control module, if so equipped (two screws).
8. Remove lower steering column shroud (five screws).
9. Loosen, but do not remove, two nuts and two bolts retaining steering column to support bracket and remove upper shroud.
10. Disconnect all steering column electrical connections: ignition, wash/wipe, turn signal, key warning buzzer, speed control. On console shift automatic transaxle remove interlock cable retaining screw and disconnect cable from steering column.
11. Loosen steering column to intermediate shaft clamp connection and remove bolt or nut.
12. Remove two nuts and two bolts retaining steering column to support bracket.
CAUTION: Do not use excessive force. Damage to components may result.
13. Pry open steering column shaft in area of clamp on each side of bolt groove with steering column locked. Open enough to disengage shafts with minimal effort. Remove column.
14. Inspect two steering column bracket clips for damage. If clips have been bent or excessively distorted, they must be replaced.
15. Remove four screws retaining cluster and carefully pull rearward enough to disconnect speedometer cable. Loosely install two screws to retain cluster during instrument panel removal.
16. Open glove compartment and press sides of bin, allowing stops to move beyond instrument panel walls. The door/bin will now drop.
17. Using steering column and glove compartment openings, and by reaching under instrument panel, disconnect all electrical connections, vacuum hoses, heater-A/C control cables and radio antenna cable.
18. Disconnect all underhood electrical connectors of main wire loom. Disengage rubber grommet from dash panel and push wire and connectors into instrument panel area.
19. Remove one instrument panel-to-steering column support bracket retaining nut, accessible through steering column opening.
20. Remove two lower instrument panel-to-cowl side retaining screws (RH and LH side).
21. Remove two instrument panel vertical brace retaining nuts located on LH side of instrument panel storage compartment.
22. Remove four instrument panel cowl top retaining screws. Remove instrument panel from vehicle.
23. With instrument panel removed from vehicle, transfer all attaching components to new instrument panel (heater-A/C ducts, all switches, main wire harness, glove compartment door, etc).
Finish Panels:
Instrument Panel-to-Dash:
Installation
1. While holding instrument panel close to its installed position, push instrument wiring harness and connectors through dash panel into engine compartment. Install grommet in dash panel.
2. Using steering column and glove compartment openings, connect all electrical connections, vacuum hoses, heater-A/C control cables and radio antenna cable.
3. Position instrument panel with stud through steering column reinforcement. Install four upper panel retaining screws. Tighten to 1.4-2.3 Nm (13-20 lb-in).
4. Install instrument panel vertical brace retaining nuts, accessible through glove compartment opening. Tighten to 7-11 Nm (6-8 lb-ft).
5. Install two lower instrument panel-to-side cowl retaining screws. Tighten to 7-11 Nm (6-8 lb-ft).
6. Install instrument panel4o-steering column support bracket retaining nut. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (36-53 lb-in).
7. From inside engine compartment, connect instrument panel wiring connectors to engine compartment wiring.
8. Install glove compartment door/bin by pressing stops and pushing inward until they clear instrument panel walls, then release stops.
9. Connect speedometer cable to speedometer head. Install four screws retaining cluster. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (36-53 lb-in).
10. Install instrument cluster finish panel in position. Install four retaining screws. Tighten to 2.0-2.9 Nm (18-25 lb-in).
11. Raise steering column into position and engage lower steering shaft to intermediate shaft and hand start clamp bolt and nut.
12. Align two bolts on steering column support bracket assembly with outer tube mounting holes, and hand start two nuts. Check for presence of two clips on outer bracket. The clips must be present to ensure adequate performance of vital parts and systems. Hand start two bolts through outer tube upper bracket and clip, and into support bracket nuts. On console shift automatic transaxles install interlock cable and retaining screw. Tighten to 3.3-4.3 Nm (30-38 lb-in).
13. Connect all quick-connect electrical connections: turn signal, wash/wipe, key warning buzzer, ignition, speed control and air bag clockspring connector, if equipped.
14. Install upper shroud.
15. Tighten steering column mounting nut and bolts to 21-33 Nm (16-24 lb-ft).
16. On air bag equipped vehicles, unlock steering column and cycle steering wheel one turn left and one turn right to align intermediate shaft into column shaft. (Power steering vehicles must have engine running.)
17. Tighten steering shaft clamp nut to 27-40 Nm (20-30 lb-ft).
18. Install lower trim shroud with five screws.
19. Install speed control module, if equipped, with two screws.
20. Install steering column opening reinforcement and four retaining bolts. Tighten to 4-6 Nm (36-53 lb-in).
21. Install instrument cluster lower finish panel(s) by snapping in place.
22. Position steering column cover to instrument panel and snap in top retainer clips. Install two retaining screws. Tighten to 2.0-2.9 Nm (18-25 lb-in).
23. Connect positive battery cable.
24. Connect speedometer cable to transaxle.