Steering Shaft: Service and Repair

Steering Lower Shaft Removal and Installation

CAUTION: Never turn steering wheel while steering lower shaft is removed. Should it have been turned and contact coil (on combination switch) have got out of its centered position, it needs to be centered again. Also, turning steering wheel more than about two and a quarter turns will break contact coil.

Removal
1. Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-ahead position.
2. Turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position and remove key.
3. Remove steering joint cover (5).
4. Make alignment marks (4) on lower shaft (1) and shaft joint of steering column (2) and lower shaft (1) and pinion shaft (3) for a guide during reinstallation.
5. Remove lower shaft joint bolts (6).





6. Remove steering lower shaft (1).

Installation
1. Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight forward state.





2. Align flat part "A" of steering lower shaft (1) with bolt hole "B" of shaft joint (2) of column as shown. Then insert lower shaft into shaft joint of steering column with matching marks (4).
3. Insert lower shaft (1) into pinion shaft (3) with matching marks (4).
4. Tighten joint bolt (pinion shaft side) (6) to specified torque first and then joint bolt (steering column side) (5) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering shaft joint bolt (a): 28 Nm (2.8 kgf-m, 20.0 ft. lbs.)
5. Install steering joint cover (7).