Steering Column Lock: Service and Repair

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 (A) 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. Remove left and right side vents.
4. Remove the radio and retaining bracket.
5. 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.

6. Remove knee protector strip.
7. Remove the Central Information System.
8. On vehicles with key lock, remove the cable at the steering lock.
- First turn ignition key to position "II" (ignition on)
- Then remove the cable from the ignition steering lock (arrow) (screw connection).





NOTE:
- The ignition steering lock must be in position "II".
- In any other position, the ignition steering lock and the key lock cable will be damaged.

9. Unscrew the collar.
- Drill out the two 6 mm shear bolts and the 8 mm shear bolt fixing the ignition steering lock on the steering outer tube.





NOTE: Drill out the 8 mm shear bolt as described below:
- Prick (center punch) the bolt off-center (on the steering wheel side) through the opening in the lower part of the dashboard for the steering line.
- Drill a pilot hole in the bolt through the aforementioned opening using a 4 mm drill bit that is at least 120 mm long.
- Drill shear bolt out of the threaded bushing (press-in bushing) with a 7 - 8 mm drill bit that is longer than 120 mm.

10. Pull plug off the ignition switch and buzzer contact.
- Pull out the ignition steering lock.





Replacing Threaded Bushing
- Replace damaged threaded bore as described below:
Drive out the threaded bushing using a suitable mandrel (A).
Fit a new threaded bushing in combination with the corresponding washers or corresponding spacer sleeve (B).
- As the threaded bushing protrudes out of the steering outer tube, observe this when fitting.
(Washer inner diameter greater than bushing outer diameter.)
Centre the washer before fitting.

Installation





1. 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.





2. Refit the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position or in accordance with the marking 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).
3. Fit plug of the ignition switch and buzzer contact.
4. 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).





5. 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. 12 (on the steering outer tube)
- No. 14 (on the dashboard).
6. Install the Central Information System, the knee protector strip, the heating and fresh air regulator and the side vents.
7. Install driver's airbag unit.
- Use new fastening screws.
- Tightening torque: 10 Nm (7.5 ft lb).
8. Connect battery and check function of electrical system.