Steering Column
- Tools Required- J 42640 Steering Column Lock Pin
Removal Procedure
Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections that maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. If it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, refer to Steering Wheel. Under no condition should the end of the shaft be hammered on, as hammering could loosen the plastic injections which maintain column rigidity.
Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
Caution: Refer to SIR Handling Caution in Service Precautions.
1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in Air Bag Systems.
2. Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
3. Remove the shift cable from the steering column (column shift only). Refer to Shift Cable Replacement in Automatic Transmission - 4L60-E.
4. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640.
5. Loosen the center screw in order to remove the steering column bulkhead connector.
6. Remove the nuts that retain the steering column to the steering column toe plate.
7. Remove the nuts that retain the steering column to the steering column upper support bracket.
8. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
9. Remove the steering column upper intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the steering column upper intermediate steering shaft to the steering column.
2. Install the steering column to the vehicle.
Caution: In order to ensure the intended function of the steering column in a vehicle during a crash and In order to avoid personal injury to the driver, perform the following:
- Tighten the steering column lower fasteners before you tighten the steering column upper fasteners. Failure to do this can damage the steering column.
- Tighten the steering column fasteners to the specified torque. Overtightening the upper steering column fasteners could affect the steering column collapse.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
3. Install the nuts that retain the steering column to the steering column toe plate.
4. Install the nuts that retain the steering column to the steering column upper support bracket.
4.1. Tighten the steering column to the steering column toe plate retaining nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
4.2. Tighten the steering column to steering column upper support bracket retaining nuts to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the steering column bulkhead connector to the vehicle wire harness.
- Tighten the steering column bulkhead connector center screw to 6 Nm (53 inch lbs.).
6. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the steering column lower trim cover access hole.
7. Install the shift cable from the steering column (column shift only). Refer to Shift Cable Replacement in Automatic Transmission - 4L60-E.
8. Install the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators,
9. Enable the SIR system. Refer to Enabling the SIR System in Air Bag Systems.