Steering Column: Service and Repair
Removal and InstallationCAUTION: 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 shear pins, which maintain column length leaning on the column assembly could cause it to bend or deform. Any of the damage could impair the column's collapsible design. When loosening steering column mounting bolts, make sure that steering column assembly and steering shaft lower assembly have been separated. Loosening them with steering column assembly and steering shaft lower assembly assembled could cause damage to bearing in steering shaft lower assembly.
NOTE: When servicing steering column or any column-mounted component, remove steering wheel. But when removing steering column simply to gain access to instrument panel components, leave steering wheel installed on steering column.
Removal
WARNING: Never rest a steering column assembly on the steering wheel with air bag (inflator) module face down and column vertical. Otherwise personal injury may result.
1. Disconnect negative battery cable at battery terminal
2. Disable air bag system.
3. Remove steering wheel and contact coil and combination switch assembly, if necessary. Perform the following procedure if not removing steering wheel and/or combination switch:
a. Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-ahead position
b. Turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position and remove key
4. Remove steering column hole cover (1)
5. Disconnect all connectors for the following parts
^ Contact coil and combination switch
^ Ignition switch
6. Make alignment marks (3) on shaft joint (2) and shaft (column side) (1) for a guide during reinstallation.
7. After removing bolt (4) on column (1) side of shaft joint and loosening bolt (5) on its shaft lower assembly (3) side move shaft joint (2) to shaft lower assembly (3) side (in arrow direction in the figure)
8. Remove steering column mounting bolts (2) (6 pieces).
9. If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable (1), remove shift (key) interlock cable screw (2) and then disconnect its cable (1) from ignition switch.
10. Remove steering column from vehicle.
Installation
CAUTION: After tightening steering column mounting bolts, steering shaft joint bolts should be tightened.
1. Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straightforward state.
2. If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable (1), install shift (key) interlock cable (1) to ignition switch.
Tightening torque
Shift (key) interlock cable screw (a): 2.2 Nm (0.22 kg-m, 1.6 ft. lbs.)
3. Install steering column assembly (1) to dash panel (2) and upper bracket so that boss of steering column lower seal (3) and all around it project out of hole in dash panel (2) into engine room. Tighten steering column lower bolts (4) (4 pieces) first and then upper bolts (5) (2 pieces) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering column mounting bolt (b): 23 Nm (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 ft. lbs.)
4. Install steering shaft joint (1) to steering shaft (column side) (2) by matching it to marks (3) made before removal.
5. Install shaft joint bolt (column side) (2) to steering shaft joint (1). Tighten shaft joint bolt (column side) (2) to specified torque first and then shaft joint bolt (shaft lower assembly side) (3) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Shaft joint bolt (c): 25 Nm (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 ft. lbs.)
6. If contact coil and combination switch assembly is removed, install it.
7. Connect all connectors that have been removed in REMOVAL.
8. Install steering column hole cover (1).
9. If steering wheel is removed, install it.
10. Connect negative battery cable.
11. After installing steering column assembly, be sure to enable air bag system.