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Steering Wheel

STEERING WHEEL

REMOVAL
1. Position the front wheels of the vehicle in the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove the ground cable (-) from the negative post on the battery. When removed, isolate the ground cable from the negative post on the battery.

CAUTION: Wait for a minimum of 2 minutes before starting the procedure to remove the airbag module from the vehicle. This will allow the airbag system capacitor time to de-energize.

WARNING:
- WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG ASSEMBLY IS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, DISCONNECT BATTERY GROUND CABLE AND ISOLATE. ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO MINUTES, THEN BEGIN AIRBAG REMOVAL.
- WHEN HANDLING AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG MODULE DURING SERVICING OF THE STEERING COLUMN THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED. AT NO TIME SHOULD ANY SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY BE PERMITTED NEAR THE INFLATOR ON THE BACK OF THE AIRBAG MODULE. WHEN CARRYING A LIVE MODULE, THE TRIM COVER SHOULD BE POINTED AWAY FROM THE BODY TO MINIMIZE INJURY IF MODULE ACCIDENTLY DEPLOYS. IF AIRBAG MODULE IS PLACED ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, PLASTIC COVER SHOULD BE FACE UP TO MINIMIZE MOVEMENT IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.





3. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel. The airbag module is mounted to the steering wheel by a bolt located in each spoke of the steering wheel. Access for the mounting bolts is from the back side of each steering wheel spoke.





4. Disconnect airbag wiring harness connector from clockspring at airbag module. Then disconnect wiring lead for horn switch in airbag module from clockspring wiring lead.





5. Disconnect clockspring wiring harness from wiring harness for steering wheel mounted switches.





6. Remove steering wheel retaining nut.

CAUTION: When installing bolts for steering wheel puller into steering wheel, be sure bolts are fully installed into the threaded holes in the steering wheel. If bolts are not fully installed into the threaded holes, threads may be pulled out of the steering wheel when puller is tightened to remove steering wheel.





7. Install a steering wheel puller on the steering wheel.

CAUTION:
- Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
- Do not apply heat to steering wheel when removing steering wheel from steering column shaft.

8. Remove steering wheel from steering column shaft.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Clockspring MUST be in centered position prior to installing steering wheel. If clockspring is not centered, it may be overextended, causing clockspring to become inoperative.

1. If clockspring center is in question, center the clock spring using the following procedure:
- Verify the front wheels are still in the straight ahead position.





- Depress the 2 plastic rotor locking tabs to disengage the clockspring locking mechanism.
- Keeping locking mechanism disengaged, rotate the clockspring rotor in the CLOCKWISE DIRECTION to the end of the travel. Do not apply excessive torque.
- From the end of the clockwise travel, slowly rotate the rotor approximately two and one-half turns counterclockwise. The horn wire should be at the bottom, and the airbag and steering wheel switches wiring should be at the top.
- Release the 2 plastic rotor locking tabs, engaging the clockspring locking mechanism.





2. Feed the clockspring wiring lead for the airbag and steering wheel switches over the top of the steering wheel "T" spokes. Feed the horn switch wire from the clockspring through the hole in steering wheel.

CAUTION: Do not install steering wheel onto shaft of steering column assembly by driving it onto the shaft. Push steering wheel down onto steering column shaft splices by hand, paying attention to the master spline, then draw it into place using the steering wheel retaining nut.

3. Position the steering wheel on the shaft of the steering column, making sure to fit flat on hub of steering wheel with formations on clockspring.
4. Install steering wheel mounting nut and tighten until steering wheel is fully installed on steering column shaft. Then tighten steering wheel nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
5. Connect wiring lead from clock spring into wiring harness on steering wheel for steering wheel mounted switches.
6. Connect clockspring wiring leads for airbag and horn switch to a airbag module and horn switch wire

CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, originally used for the airbag components are specifically designed for the airbag system. They must not be replaced with any substitutes. Anytime a new fastener is needed, replace it only with the correct fasteners provided in service packages or with fasteners listed in the parts book.
7. Install the airbag module in steering wheel. Install the 3 original or correct replacement airbag module attaching bolts. Tighten the airbag module attaching bolts to a torque of 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.).

CAUTION: When reconnecting battery on a vehicle that has had the airbag module removed, ensure no occupants are in the vehicle, and follow the procedure in step Step 8.

8. Reconnecting the battery negative cable is to be done using the steps in the procedure listed below.
- Remove forward console or cover as necessary.
- Connect DRB scan tool to the data link connector, located below the steering column to the left side.
- Turn ignition key to ON position. Exit vehicle with the DRB scan tool. Install the latest version of the proper diagnostic cartridge into the DRB scan tool.
- Ensuring that their are no occupants in the vehicle, connect negative cable to negative post of the battery.
- Using the DRB scan tool, read and record active fault codes. Also, read and record any stored fault codes. Refer to the Appropriate Diagnostic Information if any faults are found.
- Erase stored faults if there are no active fault codes.
- From the passenger side of the vehicle, turn ignition key to OFF and then ON observing instrument cluster air bag lamp. It should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the airbag system is functioning normally.

NOTE: If the airbag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off, or goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system malfunction. Refer to the Appropriate Diagnostic Information to diagnose the system malfunction.

9. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable, reset the radio and clock.
10. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of the steering system and the speed control system.

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