Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Fig. 6 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Steering Column Exploded View:

Disarm airbag before servicing steering column. Refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG DEACTIVATION for disarming procedures.

REMOVAL

Before removing the steering column, Fig. 6, the wheels of the car must be straight and the column in the Lock position. Care must be taken when handling column with a live inflator module. Never point bag deploy surface toward you, and never stand column on steering wheel. Accidental deployment in these positions may cause injury. Always face bag deploy surface toward open space to allow for unrestricted expansion.
1. Remove the inflator module as follows:
a. Turn the ignition switch to the Off position and disconnect battery ground cable.
b. Remove left side sound insulator.
c. Install Load Tool No. J 37808 or equivalent by connecting ``base of column'' lead of tool.
d. Remove the Torx screws from the back of the steering wheel, then remove the inflator module from steering wheel.
e. Disconnect the coil assembly connector from inflator module.
2. Remove steering wheel retaining nut, steering wheel and disconnect horn connector.
3. Remove intermediate shaft upper bolt.
4. Disconnect the (ALDL) Assembly Line Diagnostic Link connector and lamp from the sound insulator and remove sound insulator.
5. Remove column housing cover end cap by pulling toward front of vehicle.
6. Disconnect harness connector and grommet and remove multi-function lever by pulling toward driver side door.
7. Remove driver's side knee bolster and tilt lever.
8. Remove nuts from lower support plate and capsule bolts from reinforcement assembly.
9. Disconnect electrical connectors from column.
10. Remove sound insulator to column lower support bracket and nuts from the accelerator pedal bracket.
11. Remove steering column from vehicle.

Fig. 17 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Steering Column Installation.:

INSTALLATION

1. Install steering column assembly in vehicle and insert lower steering shaft assembly into U-joint of intermediate shaft.
2. Install intermediate shaft upper bolt and loosely attach column and upper support plate to instrument panel reinforcement assembly with capsule bolts, Fig. 17.
3. Install cable backdrive on vehicles with automatic transmission, then loosely attach column nuts to support plate studs.
4. Torque intermediate shaft bolt to 26 lb ft, capsule bolts to 20 lb ft and lower support plate nuts to 10 lb ft
5. Connect electrical connectors to column and install driver's side knee bolster.
6. Install multi-function lever, harness and grommet, column housing cover end cap and tilt lever.
7. Align tilt lever tab into slot, with lever in Off position.
8. Install sound insulator bracket to column lower support and accelerator pedal bracket nuts. Torque accelerator pedal bracket nuts to 71 lb in
9. Install steering wheel, retaining nut and connect horn connector.
10. Connect coil assembly to the inflator module, then install inflator module to the steering wheel, using new screws and torque screws to 87 lb in
11. Remove Load Tool No. J 37808.
12. Install left side sound insulator, ALDL and lamp connectors.
13. Connect battery ground cable.
14. Rearm airbag as outlined in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ACTIVATION.