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.
^ 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.
^ Steering column mounting nuts should not be loosened with steering shaft joint upper side bolt tightened as this could cause damage to shaft joint bearing.
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
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.
4) Remove hole cover (1) and knee bolster panel (2).
5) Loosen clamp (6).
6) Remove band (5) binding steering column and harness (for contact coil and combination switch assembly).
7) Disconnect yellow connector (3) (for air bag) and white connector (4) (for auto cruise, optional).
8) Disconnect three connectors for contact coil and combination switch assembly wire harness from junction/fuse block (1).
9) Disconnect three connectors for ignition switch wire harness from junction/fuse block (1).
10) Remove steering joint upper cover (2).
11) Make alignment marks (5) on lower joint (4) and upper joint (column side) (6) for a guide during reinstallation, and then remove steering shaft upper joint bolt (3).
12) Remove steering column mounting nuts (4 pcs.).
13) With A/T vehicle, remove shift (key) interlock cable screw (2) and then disconnect interlock cable (1) from ignition switch with ignition switch turned at "ACC" position. After disconnecting, turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position.
14) 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.
Installation
1) Insert lower joint (1) into upper joint of steering column (2) by matching it to marks (3) made before removal.
2) With A/T vehicle, connect shift (key) interlock cable (1) to ignition switch with ignition switch turned at "ACC" position. And then turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position.
3) Tighten its cable screw (2).
4) Install steering column assembly to lower and upper brackets. Torque steering column upper nuts first and then lower nuts to specifications as given.
Tightening torque
Steering column upper nut (a): 14 Nm (1.4 kgf-m, 10.5 ft. lbs.)
Steering column lower nut (b): 14 Nm (1.4 kgf-m, 10.5 ft. lbs.)
5) Install bolt to steering shaft upper joint and tighten it to specified torque.
NOTE: After tightening column nuts, bolt to steering shaft upper joint bolt (2) should be tightened.
Tightening torque
Steering shaft upper joint bolt (c): 25 Nm (2.5 kgf-m, 18.0 ft. lbs.)
6) Install steering joint upper cover (1).
7) Connect three connectors for ignition switch wire harness from junction/fuse block (1).
8) if contact coil and combination switch assembly is removed, install contact coil and combination switch assembly.
9) If contact coil and combination switch assembly is not removed, follow the procedures.
^ Connect three connectors for contact coil and combination switch wire harness to junction/fuse block (1).
^ Connect yellow connector (3) (for air bag) and white connector (4) (for auto cruise, optional).
^ Fix wire harness with clamp (6) and band (5).
10) Install knee bolster panel (2) and hole cover (1).
11) If steering wheel is removed, install steering wheel.
12) Connect negative battery cable.
13) Enable air bag system.