Steering Column - Removal and Installation

NOTICE: Wheels of vehicle must be in a straight ahead position and key must be in the "LOCK" position when removing or installing steering column. Failure to do so may cause improper alignment of some components during installation resulting in column malfunction.

NOTICE: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections that keep the column rigid. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the column's collapsible design. If the steering wheel must be removed, use only specified steering wheel puller. Under no conditions should the end of the shaft be hammered upon as hammering could loosen plastic injections that keep the column rigid.

Important: If there is a possibility that the steering column may be partially collapsed, see "Checking Steering Column For Accident Damage."

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system.
2. Left lower sound insulator.
3. Side instrument panel covers (snap off).
4. Instrument panel pad. 1 screw defroster vent, 1 screw under defroster vent, one screw on each side panel, 2 screws in glove box toward left rear, and 3 screws along top of glove box, remove I.P by popping loose or away from fasteners.
5. Tilt lever (if used).
6. Upper and lower steering column covers (3 screws) and snap apart.
7. Headlamp switch and windshield wiper switch electrical connections.
8. Cruise control electrical connection.
9. Ignition switch electrical connections.
10. Passlock cylinder connection.
11. Headlight switch electrical connection (Must reach snap from underneath).
12. Park lock/Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) cable from Lock Cylinder Housing Assembly (Automatic Transmission only).
13. Upper flexible joint pinch bolt.
14. Lower left side wire harness retainer clip.
15. Loosen lower column bracket support bolts.
16. Upper column bolts.
17. Spread lower steering column flexible joint apart using screwdriver.
18. Steering column.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Steering column.
2. Lower left side wire harness retainer clip.
3. Install upper column bolts most of the way in, but not snug.
4. Lower column bracket support bolts.
5. Tighten upper column support bolts.
^ Tighten column bracket support bolts to 27 Nm (20 lb ft).
6. Upper flexible joint pinch bolt.

NOTICE: Prior to inserting the intermediate shaft's upper pinch bolt, verify that its hole is aligned with the slot on the end of the steering column.

^ Tighten upper pinch bolt to 41 Nm (30 lb ft).
7. Park lock/BTSI cable to Lock Cylinder Housing Assembly (Automatic Transmission only).
8. Headlight switch electrical connection (Must reach snap from underneath).
9. Passlock cylinder connection.
10. Ignition switch electrical connection.
11. Cruise control electrical connection.
12. Headlamp switch and windshield wiper switch electrical connections.
13. Upper and lower steering column covers (3 screws) and snap together.
14. Tilt lever (if used).
15. Instrument panel pad. 1 screw defroster vent, 1 screw under defroster vent, one screw on each side panel, 2 screws in glove box toward left rear, and 3 screws along top of glove box. Install by snapping on fasteners.
16. Side instrument panel covers (snap on), 1 each side.
17. Enable the SIR system.
18. Left lower sound insulator.