Steering Column: Service and Repair

CAUTION:
^ 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 above damage could impair the column's collapsible design. If it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, use steering wheel remover. Under no condition should the end of the shaft be hammered, as such action could loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain column length.
^ Steering column mounting bolts and/or nuts should not be loosened with steering shaft joint upper side bolt tightened as this could cause damage to shaft joint bearing.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Disable air bag system. Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts.
3. Remove steering wheel, if necessary.

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.





4. Remove steering column hole cover, knee bolster absorber and knee bolster panel from instrument panel.





5. Disconnect connectors for ignition switch and contact coil & combination switch assembly from junction/fuse block and other wire harness after loosening its wire harness clamp.





6. Pull off floor carpet at the foot of steering shaft and remove steering joint cover.
7. Remove steering shaft joint upper side bolt.





8. Remove steering column mounting bolts and nuts.





9. With A/T vehicle, remove shift (key) interlock cable screw and then disconnect its cable from ignition switch with ignition switch turned at "ACC" position. After disconnecting, turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position. Remove cable band.
10. Remove steering column from vehicle.

WARNING: Never rest a steering column assembly on the steering wheel with the air bag (inflator) module face down and column vertical. Otherwise, personal injury may result.


11. Remove contact coil & combination switch assembly from steering column, if necessary.

NOTE: Steering shaft and column are not serviced separately. If either steering shaft or column is found to be defective, replace both as an assembly.

INSPECTION
Check steering column for damage and operation.

INSTALLATION
1. Install contact coil & combination switch assembly and steering column covers (upper & lower) to steering column, if they were removed.





2. Align flat part "A" of lower joint shaft with bolt hole "B" of upper side joint as shown. Then insert upper side joint of steering column into lower joint shaft.





3. With A/T vehicle, connect shift (key) interlock cable to ignition switch with ignition switch turned at "ACC" position. And then turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position.
4. Tighten its cable screw to specified torque. And tighten band for cable and wire harness.





5. Install steering column assembly to lower and upper brackets. Torque steering column nuts first and then bolts to specifications as given below.

Tightening Torque
(a): 11 - 17 Nm (8.0 - 12.0 ft. lbs.)
(b): 11 - 17 Nm (8.0 - 12.0 ft. lbs.)





6. Install bolt to steering shaft upper joint and tighten it to specified torque.

NOTE: After tightening column nuts and bolts, bolt (c) should be tightened.

Tightening Torque (c): 20 - 30 Nm (14.5 - 21.5 ft. lbs.)

Install steering joint cover and put floor carpet back as it was originally.





7. Connect connectors other than yellow one for ignition switch and contact coil & combination switch assembly. And then fix wire harness with clamp and band.





8. Install knee bolster panel, absorber and steering column hole cover to instrument panel.
9. Install steering wheel and driver air bag (inflator) module, if they were removed.
10. Connect negative battery cable.
11. Enable air bag system. Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts.