Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Removal

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

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

Before removing the SIR 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. With the ignition switch in the Off position and the battery ground cable.
b. Remove left side sound insulator.
c. Remove the Torx screws from the back of the steering wheel, then remove the inflator module from steering wheel.
d. Remove the horn contact by pushing lightly and twisting counterclockwise.
e. Disconnect the coil assembly connector from inflator module.
2. Remove instrument panel steering column trim plate.
3. Remove two screws retaining filler, then four bolt/screws from column reinforcement plate and the reinforcement plate.
4. Disconnect any necessary electrical connectors.

Fig. 7 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Steering Column Intermediate Shaft:

5. Disconnect shift control cable at actuator, then remove four seal assembly mounting bolts, Fig. 7.
6. Remove bolt from upper knuckle of intermediate steering shaft, Fig. 7.
7. Remove nut and bolt holding lower brace assembly, then remove lower brace.
8. Remove remaining bracket bolts, then remove the lower support bracket.
9. Remove two column to upper support retaining bolts/screws, then the column.

Installation

Fig. 8 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Steering Column Support Brackets:

Fig. 9 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) Steering Column Lower Brackets:

1. Install lower support bracket to steering column, Fig. 8. Do not tighten fasteners at this time.
2. Install two bolts into upper support assembly, Fig. 9. Do not tighten completely.
3. Position steering column with lower support bracket slots over fasteners installed in step 2. Do not allow to hang freely and do not tighten fasteners.
4. Install two bolts through steering column into upper support assembly, Fig. 9, but do not tighten.
5. Install upper knuckle of intermediate steering shaft on upper steering shaft. Torque bolt to 35 lb ft
6. Install seal assembly and torque four bolts to 21 lb in
7. Remove left bolt from lower support bracket, then install lower brace assembly. Torque bolts to 84 lb in
8. Torque remaining lower brace and bracket bolts to 84 lb in and upper support assembly bolts to 20 lb ft
9. Torque two lower support bracket through bolts to 20 lb ft, then connect shift control cable and electrical connections.
10. Install steering wheel inflator module as follows:
a. With ignition off, install horn contact, then connect coil assembly connector to inflator module.
b. Push coil assembly lead wires into channel in lower right portion of steering wheel, then install inflator module in steering wheel.
c. Torque screws holding inflator module to steering wheel to 25 lb in
d. Install left side sound insulator.
e. Connect battery ground cable.
11. Install reinforcement plate and torque bolts to 17 lb in
12. Install instrument panel column filler and trim plate.
13. When all service procedures have been completed, rearm airbag as outlined in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ACTIVATION.