Steering Column Assembly

Preliminary Work
Removal and installation of the steering column (casing tube No. 1 with steering shaft No. 2) include removing and fitting the following parts:
- Steering wheel
- Contact unit A
- Steering column switch B
- Heating and fresh air regulator
- Car radio
- Knee protector strip
- Steering lock No. 18
- Central Information System

Removal

1. Disconnect the ground wire of the battery and cover the terminal or battery.
2. Remove steering wheel. Service and Repair
- Observe the safety instructions for handling airbag vehicles, refer to Air bags and Seat Belts.

NOTE:
- To prevent unintended rotation of the contact unit (KE) when the steering wheel has been removed, the contact unit locks itself when the steering wheel is pulled back.
- Automatic unlocking of the contact unit also occurs when the steering wheel is put on.





3. Detach and remove trim of steering column switch.
4. Remove steering column switch with contact unit.
5. Remove left and right side vents.
6. Remove the radio and retaining bracket.
7. Remove the heating and fresh air regulator and the retaining bracket.

NOTE: There is a screw connection below the retaining bracket and side vents for fastening the knee protector strip.

8. Remove ashtray.
9. Remove knee protector strip.
10. Remove the Central Information System.
11. Remove steering lock.





12. Loosen universal joint (steering shaft) at steering gear.
- To do this remove the pedal floor board.
- Take out the clamping screw and slide the joint upwards.





13. Detach shear bolts No. 6 from the casing tube (drill out).
- Also undo fastening screws at the bottom (arrows).
14. Pull out casing tube with steering shaft line.





15. Remove the following:
- Snap ring No. 7.
- Shim No. 40
- O-ring No. 41
- Adjusting shim No. 8.
16. Drive steering shaft out of the steering outer tube by tapping it with a plastic hammer.

Installation





1. Drive steering shaft into steering outer tube.
- Fit the following:
Adjusting shim No. 8
O-ring No. 41
Shim No. 40
Snap ring No. 7
- Ensure that shim No.40 is fitted in the correct position.





2. Fit the casing tube/steering shaft line assembly into the vehicle.
- Tighten the shear bolts No. 6 and the lower fastening screws (arrows) only hand-tight.





NOTE: If sliding piece No. 1 was pulled off steering shaft No. 4, roll pin No. 2 must point to the tooth gap (No. 3) on assembly.

3. Tighten universal joint on the steering gear to 23 Nm (17 ft lb).
- Use new fastening screw.





4. Fit the ignition steering lock in the vehicle with the locking pin in unlocked position (ignition steering lock position "II").
- Tighten shear bolts No. 12 and No. 14 only hand-tight.
5. On key lock vehicles, screw in the cable in ignition steering lock position "II".
- Then select position "P" and subsequently turn ignition steering lock to position "0".





NOTE: If the ignition steering lock cannot be turned to position "0", the cable adjustment must be corrected, refer to Transmission and Drivetrain.

6. Push on plug of the ignition switch and buzzer contact.





7. Perform function test on the ignition steering lock (locking pin function) and key lock function test.
- Only once this is in order, tighten the shear bolts in the sequence below until they shear off.
- No. 6 (casing tube)
- No. 12 (steering lock on casing tube)
- No. 14 (steering lock on dashboard)
8. Tighten lower fastening screws of the casing tube.
9. Install the Central Information System, the knee protector strip, the heating and fresh air regulator and the side vents.





10. Install steering column switch with covers.
- Before tightening the fastening screw, align the steering column switch and set an adjustment dimension of 54±0.5 mm.
- Measure between the start of the steering shaft and centre of the steering column switch.
11. Install airbag contact unit.





Legend
1 = Centre position mark (arrows)
2 = Drivers that engage in the steering wheel
3 = Locking (ant-turn lock), which becomes effective after removal of the steering wheel.

NOTE:
- Turn the front wheels to straight-ahead position and centre the contact unit before installing the contact unit.
- The exact centre position is indicated by the two arrows.
- If this is not done, the spiral spring can be damaged.

Centre Position:
- First move contact unit against the end stop.
- Turn contact unit two revolutions back from the end stop and then continue turning as far as the centre position mark.
- The exact centre position is indicated by the two arrows (No. 1).





12. Fit the steering wheel with the front wheels and the airbag contact unit in centre position so that the upper spokes of the steering wheel are horizontal.
- Important: Do not trap the cable of the contact unit.
- Fit hexagon nut with spring washer and tighten to 45 Nm (33 ft lb).
13. Install driver's airbag unit.
- Use new fastening screws.
- Tightening torque: 10 Nm (7.5 ft lb).
14. Connect battery and check function of electrical system.