Steering Column - Removal

STEERING COLUMN

NOTE: Before proceeding, Service Precautions.

WARNING: When an undeployed airbag module is to be removed from the vehicle, first disconnect the battery ground cable and isolate it. Allow the system capacitor to discharge for a minimum of two minutes before starting any removal.

1. Disconnect the negative (-) cable from the battery and isolate the cable.
2. Position the front wheels of vehicle in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.




3. Remove the driver airbag. Driver Airbag - Removal




4. Disconnect the horn wiring connector at the clockspring (1).




5. Holding the steering wheel firmly in place, remove the steering wheel retainer bolt (4) from the steering column shaft.

CAUTION: Threading the retaining bolt back in the end of the shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt allows a safe reaction surface for the puller to work against.

6. Thread the wheel retainer bolt (4) back into the end of the steering shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt.
7. Install an appropriate wheel puller on the steering wheel over the steering shaft.

CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on the steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing the steering wheel.

8. Holding the steering wheel firmly in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position, release the steering wheel from the steering column shaft splines using the puller. Remove the wheel retainer bolt and the steering wheel from the column.




9. Release the spring loaded clips (2) at the top of the lower steering column cover (1) by slowly pulling outward on the cover at those locations.




10. Position the column tilt at the full-upward position.
11. Push the skirt upward on the lower shroud and insert a trim stick (1) between the skirt and the lower cover reinforcement (3). Using the trim stick, one-by-one, depress each of the three tabs while slowly pulling outward on the lower steering column cover (2) until they clear the reinforcement. Remove the lower steering column cover.




12. Remove the lower mounting screw (3) fastening the steering column cover reinforcement (1) in place.
13. Remove the upper mounting screws (2) fastening the steering column cover reinforcement (1) in place. Remove the reinforcement.




14. Position the column tilt at the full-downward position.
15. Remove the two screws (4) attaching the upper shroud (1) to the lower shroud (2). After removing the screws, unclip the shrouds from each other by applying hand pressure along the seams where the shrouds connect on the sides, then remove the upper shroud.
16. Push the tilt lever (5) downward.
17. Remove the screw (3) attaching the lower shroud (2) to the steering column (6). Remove the lower shroud.
18. Push the tilt lever (5) upward, locking it in place.




19. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors (2) at the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) (1).




20. Disconnect the wiring harness connector (4) at the SKREEM/WCM (3).




21. Disconnect the wiring harness connector (2) at the ignition switch (1).




22. At the base of the column, remove the steering column coupling retainer clip (4), back off the pinch bolt nut, and remove the steering column coupling pinch bolt (1) (the pinch bolt nut is caged to the coupling and is not removable). Separate the upper (2) from the lower (3) steering column coupling.




23. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, disconnect the ignition shift interlock cable at the steering column. To do this, depress the tab on the cable connector (3) and remove the cable from the steering column ignition cylinder housing (1).

NOTE: If the same steering column is to be reinstalled, clamp the tilt lever to lock the column in place so that it can be easily reinstalled in the same orientation.





24. Remove the two lower mounting nuts (2) attaching the steering column (1) to the instrument panel.
25. Remove the two upper mounting nuts (2) attaching the steering column (1) to the instrument panel.
26. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
27. To remove remaining components from the column, Disassembly