Steering Wheel: Service and Repair

Steering Wheel Removal and Installation
Reference: Steering Wheel and Column Construction

CAUTION: Removal of the steering wheel allows the contact coil to turn freely but do not turn the contact coil (on the combination switch) more than allowable number of turns (about two and a half turns from the center position clockwise or counterclockwise respectively), or coil will break.

Removal
1) Remove driver air bag (inflator) module from steering wheel .
2) Remove steering shaft nut.





3) Make alignment marks (1) on steering wheel and shaft for a guide during reinstallation.





4) Remove steering wheel (1) with special tool (A).

CAUTION: Do not hammer the end of the shaft. Hammering it will loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain the column length and impair the collapsible design of the column.

Special Tool
(A): 09944-36011

Installation
1) Check that vehicle's front tires are at straight-ahead position and contact coil is centered. Refer to Centering Contact Coil.

CAUTION: These two conditions are prerequisite for installation of steering wheel. If steering wheel has been installed without these conditions, contact coil will break when steering wheel is turned.





2) Install steering wheel (1) to steering shaft with 3 lugs (2) on contact coil fitted in three grooves (3) in the back of steering wheel and also aligning marks (4) on steering wheel and steering shaft.
3) Tighten steering shaft nut to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering shaft nut 33 Nm (3.3 kg-m, 24.0 ft. lbs.)
4) Install driver air bag (inflator) module to steering wheel.