Steering Column: Service and Repair
The content of this article/image reflects the changes identified in TSB- TS 03 03082.
Steering Column Removal and Installation
Steering Wheel and Column Components
NOTE:
The steering column assembly can be easily damaged during and after removal.
To avoid damaging the steering column, be sure to take the following precautions when removing it and when setting it down after removal:
- Never drop the column assembly on its end. This could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic shear pins that maintain the design length of the column.
- Do not lean the column assembly against something. This could cause it to bend or deform.
- Do not loosen the steering column assembly mounting nuts when the steering lower shaft assembly upper joint bolt is still tightened. This could cause damage to the 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
WARNING:
If you rest the removed steering column assembly on the steering wheel with the air bag (inflator) module facing down and the steering column vertical, there is a risk of severe personal injury due to possible inflation of the air bag.
Never rest the steering wheel and column assembly on the steering wheel end.
1) Disconnect negative (-) cable at battery.
2) Remove steering wheel and contact coil cable assembly referring to Steering Wheel Removal and Installation Steering Wheel Removal and Installation
and Removal and Replacement Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation.
3) Detach lighting switch and wiper switch from steering column.
4) For immobilizer model, remove immobilizer control module from steering column, referring to Service and Repair ICM Removal and Installation.
5) For CVT model, disconnect key interlock cable from ignition switch referring to Key Interlock Cable Removal and Installation.
6) Remove lower shaft joint bolt (1).
7) Remove steering column mounting nuts (1), and then remove steering column from vehicle.
NOTE:
Do not move tilt lever until mounting bolts and nuts are tightened to specified torque.
Installation
Steering Column Inspection
NOTE:
Tightening the fasteners in the wrong order may cause damage to the shaft joint bearing.
Be sure to tighten the steering column assembly mounting nuts in the order given before tightening the steering lower shaft assembly upper joint bolt.
1) Be sure that front wheels are in straight.
2) Install steering column assembly to lower and upper brackets. Tighten steering column mounting nuts No.2 (1) first and then steering column mounting nuts No.1 (2) to specifications as given below.
Tightening torque
Steering column mounting nut No.1 (a): 14 Nm (1.4 kgf-m, 10.5 lbf-ft)
Steering column mounting nut No.2 (b): 14 Nm (1.4 kgf-m, 10.5 lbf-ft)
NOTE:
- When installing, make sure that clearance "a" between bolt (3) and bracket (4) should be 0 (zero).
- After installing tilt steering column, make sure that steering column moves upwards and downwards smoothly and stops when tilt lever is fixed.
3) 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.
4) Tighten joint bolt (3) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering lower shaft assembly upper joint bolt (a): 25 Nm (2.5 kgf-m, 18.5 lbf-ft) 9T strength
Steering lower shaft assembly upper joint bolt (a): 35 Nm (3.5 kgf-m, 25.5 lbf-ft) 11T strength
5) For CVT model, connector key interlock cable to ignition switch, referring to Key Interlock Cable Removal and Installation.
6) For immobilizer model, install immobilizer control module from steering column, referring to Service and Repair ICM Removal and Installation.
7) Install lighting switch and wiper switch to steering column.
8) Install contact coil cable assembly and steering wheel referring to Removal and Replacement Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation
and Steering Wheel Removal and Installation Steering Wheel Removal and Installation.
9) Connect negative (-) cable to battery.