Removal

CAUTION: Do not remove the steering column, steering wheel and driver side air bag module as an assembly from the vehicle unless the steering column is locked to prevent rotation, or lower end of steering shaft is wired in such a way to prevent the steering wheel from being rotated.

NOTE: All steering column components are assembled with fasteners. They are designed with a thread-locking system to prevent loosening due to vibrations associated with normal vehicle operation.

1. Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position. Disconnect battery ground cable. Disconnect air bag backup power supply.
2. Remove steering wheel.
3. Remove RH and LH lower mouldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainers.
4. Remove instrument panel steering column cover.
5. Remove air bag sliding contact.
6. Remove tilt wheel handle and shank by unscrewing it from steering column.
7. Rotate ignition switch lock cylinder to RUN position. Using a 1/8-inch drift, depress ignition switch retaining pin through access hole and remove ignition switch lock cylinder.





8. Remove four retaining screws from lower steering column shroud. Remove lower steering column shroud and upper steering column shroud.
9. Remove two instrument panel reinforcement brace bolts. Remove reinforcement.





10. Remove steering column to parking brake control shake brace.





11. Disconnect shift cable and bracket from steering actuator housing by removing one screw.





12. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws and set multi-function switch aside.
13. Remove pinch bolt from steering column lower yoke to lower steering column shaft. Compress lower steering column shaft toward engine and separate it from the steering column lower yoke.
14. Disconnect shift cable and bracket from transmission column shift selector tube lever pivot.
15. Remove shift cable and bracket from lower column mounting.
16. Remove harness for shift lock actuator solenoid. While supporting steering column, remove four steering column tube retaining nuts. Lower steering column and disconnect vacuum hoses at parking brake release switch or remove vacuum release assembly.





17. Remove steering column from vehicle.