Steering Column "A", Removing and Installing

Removing
Steering column is supplied complete, less steering lock housing.
Steering lock housing comes as a replacement part.
Servicing is not possible.
Steering lock housing can be transferred.

WARNING: Before removing steering wheel the following conditions must be met:
^ Ground strap removed from battery.
^ Wheels straight ahead.
If instructions are not observed airbag system could become inoperative!

Removing airbag unit for four spoke steering wheel.
Removing airbag unit for three spoke steering wheel.
- Turn wheels to straight ahead position.
- Remove steering wheel.
- Remove lower storage compartment.
- Remove carpeting

Removing trim for steering column





- Remove bolts -1-.
- Remove height and reach adjustment handle -5-.
- Remove bolts -2-, -3- and -4-.
- Remove lower steering column switch trim.





- Remove upper steering column switch trim -1-.





- Release locking tabs (arrows) and pull spiral spring with slip ring off steering column switch.
- Disconnect harness connector -1-.





- Remove bolt for steering column switch (arrow) and remove steering column switch.





- Remove plastic cover -1- over shear head bolts.
- Release tie wrap.

Vehicles with automatic transmission
Ignition lock cable must be also be disconnected on vehicles with automatic transmission.
- Move selector lever to "P"
- Turn ignition key from position "A" to position "B" (Ignition On).





- Press wire clip -1- up or down according to installation position and pull ignition lock cable -2- out at same time.
- Remove plastic nuts -1-.





- Remove cover -A-.





- Remove bolt -1- from steering shaft joint.
- Remove universal joint from steering gear.

Steering column, securing before removal
An assembly aid is required to prevent upper and lower components of the steering column from pulling apart while removing from the steering gear.

Notes:
^ If upper and lower parts of steering column are pulled too far apart or pushed too close together the splines will separate.
^ Rattling noises may occur later on if splines are not in their original position.

- Push or pull steering column until hole is visible.





- Insert, for example, clip in hole -arrow-.
- Remove hex nut -3-
- Remove hex bolt -1-
- Remove hex bolts -2- and remove steering column.





1. Hex bolt
2. Hex bolts
^ 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
3. Hex nut
^ 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.)
4. Cross member for steering column

Installing steering column

NOTE:
^ New (replacement) steering columns, are secured with a transportation securing device -6-. This must be removed after installation.
^ When replacing with new replacement part install new shear bolt -10-.

- Install steering column with preassembled steering lock housing to cross member.
- Install hex bolts - 5 -.
- Install hex bolt -12-.
- Install hex nut -13- and tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
- Torque bolts -5 - to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
- Remove transportation device - 6 -.
- Install universal joint/shaft on steering pinion 9
- Tighten bolt -8-to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).





1. Cross member for steering column
2. Steering column
3. Bolts
4. Handle
5. Hex bolts
^ 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
6. Transportation - securing device
7. Steering column universal joint shaft
8. Hex bolt
^ 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.)
9. Steering gear pinion
10. Shear bolt
11. Pin
12. Hex bolt
13. Hex nut
^ 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.)

Vehicles with automatic transmission
Ignition lock cable must also be disconnected on vehicles with automatic transmission.
- Move selector lever to "P".
Ignition key must be in position -B- (ignition on).





- Slide ignition lock cable -2- on steering lock housing -1- until wire clip -1- engages.

Ignition lock (with automatic transmission), checking
- Turn ignition key to position -B- (ignition on).
Must be possible to move selector lever out of park.
If selector lever will not move adjust ignition lock cable. Refer to Transmission and Drivetrain.
NOTE:
^ Ignition key can only be removed with selector lever in park.
^ With ignition key in the off position selector lever must not move out of park.

Ignition switch, installing





If ignition switch has been removed, dimension -a- between steering wheel and spiral spring must be readjusted.
1. Steering wheel
2. Spiral spring housing
3. Ignition switch bolt
a. = approx. 2.5 mm (0.10 in.)
- Install ignition switch.





- Install steering wheel so marked line (arrow A) on steering wheel and center punch mark (arrow B) on steering column align.
Steering columns supplied as replacement parts do not have a center punch mark.
- Install steering wheel bolt and tighten.
- Align ignition switch horizontally.





- Set gap -a- to approx. 2.5 mm (0.10 in.) and tighten bolt -3-.
- Remove steering wheel again.
- Install trim in reverse order of removal.
- Install steering wheel bolt and tighten. Multipoint socket head bolt 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.)
- Make one center punch mark on multi-point socket head bolt.

NOTE: Multi-point socket head bolts with five center punch marks must be replaced.

If a new steering column has been installed, center point can be determined via test drive.
- Install steering wheel in straight ahead position.





- Mark steering column after center point has been determined.
- Mark -A- on hub of steering wheel
- Mark -B- on steering column
- Install airbag unit.

WARNING: When connecting battery make sure no one is in vehicle.