Steering Column

COLUMN

REMOVAL
1. Position the front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
3. Remove the airbag.
4. Remove the steering wheel with an appropriate puller.

CAUTION: Ensure the puller bolts are fully engaged into the steering wheel and not into the clockspring, before attempting to remove the wheel. Failure to do so may damage the steering wheel.

5. Remove the shift link rod in the engine compartment (if equipped). Pry the rod out from the grommet in the shift lever.





6. Scribe or paint reference mark on the column shaft-to-coupler. This will aid in column shaft installation alignment. Remove the steering column shaft-to-coupler bolt.
7. Remove the steering column opening cover/knee blocker.





8. Remove the PRNDL cable on column shift vehicles. Put the shift lever in Park position. Pull the cable and twist to remove from the position arm. Push the tab up on bottom of the cable retainer, then squeeze sides to remove retainer from the column.
9. Remove the tilt lever (if equipped) from the column.
10. Remove the upper and lower lock housing shroud and remove the lower fixed shroud.





11. Remove the turn signal multi-function switch connector with a 7 mm socket.
12. Loosen the upper Support Bracket nuts to allow some slack. This will aid in removal of the upper fixed shroud.





13. Remove the electrical connections from Key-in light, Ignition Switch, Horn, Overdrive Switch and Clock Spring (Speed Control).
14. Remove the wiring harness from the column by prying out the plastic retainer buttons.
15. Remove the toe plate fasteners.
16. Remove the column from vehicle.
17. Remove the Ignition and Multi-Function Switch, then remove the Clock Spring and tape the Clock Spring to prevent it from turning.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the clock spring and switches.

NOTE: Turn the Ignition Switch to the on position and verify the gear shifter moves. If the shifter does not move ensure the Ignition Switch is installed properly.

2. Column shift vehicles, install a new grommet. Use multi-purpose lubricant, or equivalent, to aid installation of the grommet.

NOTE: A new grommet should be used when ever the rod is disconnected from the lever.

3. Remove the shipping lock pin if necessary.
4. Install the column through the floor pan.
5. Position the column bracket breakaway capsules on the mounting studs. Install, but loose assemble the two upper bracket nuts.
6. With the front wheels in the straight-ahead position. Align steering column shaft to the coupler. Install a new pinch bolt and tighten to 49 Nm (36 ft. lbs.).
7. Clip the wiring harness on the steering column. Connect the multi- function switch wiring and tighten with 7 mm socket.
8. Install the upper fixed shroud.
9. Be sure both breakaway capsules are fully seated in the slots in the column support bracket. Pull the column rearward then tighten upper bracket nuts to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).
10. Tighten the toe plate to floor pan attaching nuts to 22.5 Nm (200 inch lbs.).
11. Install the wiring connections to the column. Install the lower fixed shroud.
12. Column shift vehicles, install the PRNDL driver cable. Place shifter in Park position. If indicator needs adjusting, turn thumb screw on cable retainer to adjust cable.
13. Install the lock housing shrouds. Install the tilt lever (if equipped).
14. Install the knee blocker and steering column opening cover.
15. Install steering wheel and tighten nut to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
16. Install the airbag.
17. Column shift vehicles, connect the shift link rod to the transmission shift lever. Use multi-purpose lubricant, or an equivalent product, to aid the installation.
18. Install the battery ground (negative) cable.
19. Verify operation of the automatic transmission shift linkage and adjust as necessary.