Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable and remove bolt securing upper intermediate shaft joint to steering shaft.
2. Disconnect shift linkage from shift lever.
3. Remove lower instrument panel trim covers, and if column is to be disassembled, the steering wheel.
4. Remove toe plate cover and toe plate mounting screws and clamp bolt, noting installation position for assembly.

Fig. 26 Typical Shift Indicator Cable Installation.:

5. On column shift automatic transmission, disconnect shift indicator cable from column shift bowl, Fig. 26.
6. Support column and remove two nuts from column upper support.
7. Lower column and disconnect electrical connections. If spacers are used, retain for use during installation.
8. Carefully remove column from vehicle.

Installation

1. Carefully position column from inside of vehicle through cowl opening.
2. Connect all wiring to column.

Fig. 3 Steering Column Installation (typical):

3. Raise column and loosely install nuts, Fig. 3. If shims were removed, install equal thickness on each side.
4. Install intermediate shaft onto steering column shaft. Install clamp bolt and nut and torque to 44 lb ft
5. Check flex coupling for alignment. If coupling is not properly aligned, it will be necessary to move column assembly. Flex coupling must be straight within 1/16 inch without bottoming intermediate shaft coupling.
6. Install and torque toe pan screws in sequence shown in Fig. 3, to 53 lb in
7. Torque steering column bracket nuts to 18 lb ft
8. If equipped with column shift automatic transmission, connect and adjust shift indicator cable as shown in Fig. 26.
9. Check flex coupling and intermediate shaft for bottoming. If either is bottoming, it will be necessary to loosen pan bolts and steering column bracket nuts, then lift upward and rearward on column assembly. Torque toe pan bolts to 53 lb in and steering column bracket nuts to 18 lb ft
10. Install cover over toe pan and lower trim panel on instrument panel.
11. Install steering wheel if removed.
12. Install flex coupling shield, then connect battery ground cable.