Steering Column: Service and Repair

Steering column, removing and installing

Removing
The steering column is supplied only as a complete service part. Service is not possible.
The steering lock housing can be transferred.

Caution:
Before starting work on the electrical system and removing the steering wheel, the following conditions must be met:
^ Remove ground strap from the battery
^ The wheels must be in the straight ahead position.
If these instructions are not observed it is possible that the airbag system may fail during subsequent vehicle operation.

- Set wheels to the straight ahead position.
- Pull lever below steering column down.
- Pull steering column down and out as far as possible.
- Remove airbag
Refer to Restraint Systems
- Remove steering wheel
- Remove coil ring with slip ring from steering column switch

Note:
^ The steering must be in the center position (wheels in straight ahead position) when the coil ring and slip ring are removed and installed.
^ Coil ring with slip ring is secured as a new part in the center position with a cable tie.
^ On vehicles with electronic stabilization program "ESP", the steering angle sensor G85 must be removed

- Remove steering column switch
- Remove driver side stowage tray





- Push cover - 1 - up and secure e.g. with a screwdriver handle - 2 -
- Remove four bolt - arrows
- Remove cover - 3 -





- Pull off connectors - arrows - from steering lock housing.
In addition, on vehicles with automatic transmissions, the locking cable for the ignition key removal lock must be unhooked

Securing steering column before removal
An assembly aid is required so that the upper and lower parts of the steering column do not pull apart when pulling off the steering gear.

If the upper and lower parts of the steering column are pulled too far apart or pushed too close together the splines separate.

It is possible that rattling noises are created later if the splines are not in their original installation position.





- Pull wire through hole in lower part of steering column arrow - and spring.
The steering column can also be secured with a transport protection





- Remove nut - 1 - on universal joint.
- Relieve tension on bolt (Torx T50) by turning clockwise and take out bolt.
- Pull universal joint off steering gear.





- Remove steering column bolts - 1 - and take out steering column.
- Remove steering lock housing.

Installing





New replacement steering columns are secured with transportation protection.
This transport protection must be removed after installing the steering column in the vehicle.
1. Safety clip
2. Plastic rod
3. Steering column
We recommend that this part is retained as it can be reused when removing steering columns.





- Attach steering column to cross member with 4 hex socket head bolts - 1 - (do not tighten).
- Attach universal joint to steering gear pinion.
- Install clamping bolt (Torx T50) through lower part and tension counterclockwise.
- Install hex nut and tighten to 40 Nm.
- Remove wire/transport protection between upper and lower parts of steering column.
- If steering column was replaced, install steering lock housing to new steering column.
- Install new shear bolts.
- Tighten shear bolts until head shears off.





- Press on connectors -arrows -to steering lock housing.





- Install cover - 3 -
- Install steering column switch
- Install coil ring with slip ring to steering column switch

On vehicles with electronic stabilization program "ESP", the steering angle sensor G85 must be installed
- Align steering column so that the gaps in the trim are even.





- Tighten steering column Allen head bolts - 1 - to 25 Nm.
In addition, on vehicles with automatic transmissions, the locking cable for the ignition key removal lock must be hooked in
- Install driver side stowage tray
- Install steering wheel
- Install airbag