Steering Column Removal
Battery Ground Cable At Shock Tower:
1. Remove remote ground cable from ground stud on shock tower. Then correctly isolate ground cable from vehicle by installing isolator on stud.
Fuse Panel Cover:
2. Remove the Rise panel cover from the left end of the instrument panel.
Lower Instrument Panel Cover Mounting Screws:
3. Remove the 2 screws behind the fuse panel cover, attaching the lower instrument panel cover to the instrument panel mounting bracket.
4. Remove the lower instrument panel cover. The lower instrument panel cover is attached by retaining clips along the top and right edge.
Trunk Release Wiring:
5. Remove the wiring harness connector from the trunk release switch in the lower instrument panel cover.
Park Brake Release Cable:
6. Remove the park brake release cable, from the park brake release handle in the lower instrument panel cover.
Reinforcement Panel:
Diagnostic Connector:
7. Remove the 4 bolts mounting the reinforcement to the instrument panel. Remove the reinforcement from the instrument panel. Remove the diagnostic connector from the reinforcement.
8. Before beginning removal of steering column assembly from vehicle, be sure front wheels of vehicle are in the straight ahead position.
Speed Control Switches:
9. Remove the speed control switches from the steering wheel. The speed control switches are mounted to the steering wheel by two screws (one screw, each switch) which are accessible from the back side of the steering wheel.
NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 2 minutes before starting to remove airbag from steering wheel. This will allow the airbag system capacitor to de-energize.
WARNINGS:
- 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.
Speed Control Switches:
10. Remove the 2 bolts attaching the airbag module to the steering wheel
11. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel.
Airbag Module Electrical Connections:
12. Remove the connector lock from the airbag electrical lead connector. Connector lock is removed by pulling it straight out of the airbag connector. Do not twist the connector lock when removing it from the connector.
13. Disconnect the electrical connector from the back of the airbag module. Connector is removed by pulling it straight out of the airbag module. Do not twist the connector when removing it from the airbag.
14. Remove the horn switch wire from the clockspring horn wire.
Steering Wheel Attaching Nut:
15. Remove the steering wheel attaching nut from the steering column shaft.
CAUTION: When installing wheel puller on steering wheel, be sure puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes in the steering wheel. If bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, threads may be stripped out when removing the steering wheel.
Puller Installed On Steering Wheel:
16. Install Puller, Snap-On CJ2001P or an equivalent on steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
17. Remove steering wheel from steering column shaft.
NOTE: The upper shroud on this steering column is retained to the steering column boa snap fit to the lower shroud. When removing the upper shroud from the steering column lower shroud, DO NOT use a hard or sharp tool. This will damage the shrouds. If a tool must be used, use a soft tool such as a trim stick.
18. Remove the steering column upper shroud from the steering column using the following procedure. First, on the right seam between the upper and lower shrouds, push in on seam at the forward end. When the upper shroud unsnaps, pull the upper shroud upward away from the lower. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the column to release the upper shroud from the lower. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column.
19. Remove the tilt lever from the steering column.
Lower Shroud Attaching Screws:
20. Remove the 2 screws attaching the lower shroud to the steering column. Remove the lower shroud from the steering column.
Wiring Harness Connection To Clock Spring:
21. Remove the wiring harness connectors from the clockspring.
Clockspring Mounting Screws:
22. Remove the 2 screws mounting the clockspring to the steering column. Remove the clockspring from the steering column.
Multi-Function Switch Mounting Screws:
23. Remove the wiring harness from the routing clip on the top of the multi-function switch. Remove the 2 screws mounting the multi-function switch to the steering column. Remove the multifunction switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.
Ignition Switch Mounting Screws:
24. Remove the 2 screws mounting the ignition switch to the steering column. Remove the ignition switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.
25. If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted shifter. Depress the locking tab on the shifter/ignition interlock cable and remove the cable from the key lock housing.
Shift Cable Removal:
26. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shifter, remove the shift cable from the shifter mechanism. Unlock the cable lock, then, the shift cable is removed by inserting a screwdriver between the shift cable and the shifter mechanism and prying the cable off the pin.
Shift Cable Bracket Mounting To Steering Column:
27. Remove the shift cable mounting bracket from the steering column. The shift cable mounting bracket is mounted to the steering column by the 2 mounting screws.
Air Ducts:
28. Remove the 2 air ducts from under the steering column.
NOTE: For better access to the pinch bolt in the flex coupler, press the brake pedal down as far as possible.
29. Remove retaining pin in steering column flex coupler pinch bolt. Remove the pinch bolt from the steering column flex coupler. Pinch bolt nut is caged to coupler and is not removable. Separate the steering column flex coupler from steering intermediate shaft.
Steering Column Mounting:
30. Remove the 2 steering column upper mounting bracket to support bracket nuts. Then loosen the 2 bolts attaching the steering column lower mounting bracket to support bracket.
31. Remove the steering column from the support bracket by pulling it rearward, then out of the car.