Steering Column

STEERING COLUMN

REMOVAL

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DISARMED. REFER TO ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

CAUTION: All fasteners must be torqued to specification to ensure proper operation of the steering column.

1. Position the front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery.





3. Remove the airbag (3).
4. Disconnect the electrical connector (2) from the air bag.





5. Remove the steering wheel (1) with special tool CJ98-1 (2) or an appropriate steering wheel 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/clockspring.





6. Remove the steering column opening cover (3).





7. Remove the steering column opening cover reinforcement (2).
8. Remove the tilt lever.





9. Remove the column shrouds (1&2).
10. Remove the clock spring.





11. Disconnect the wiring harness to the column (1,2&3).





12. Remove the shift cable (2) from the column shift lever actuator (1).
13. Release the shift cable from the column bracket and remove it from the bracket.
14. Remove the SKIM module in order to disconnect the electrical connector.





15. Remove the upper steering shaft coupler bolt (2) from the column (1).
16. Separate the shaft from the coupler (7).
17. Remove the brake light switch and discard.





18. Remove the four steering column mounting nuts (4).
19. Remove the steering column assembly (3) from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DISARMED. REFER TO ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

CAUTION: All fasteners must be torqued to specification to ensure proper operation of the steering column.





1. Position the steering column (3) on the dash panel support (1) and loosely install the mounting nuts (4).
2. Firmly slide the steering column upward against the studs (2) in dash panel and hand tighten the nuts.
3. Center steering column (3) in dash opening and tighten mounting nuts (4) to 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).

NOTE: Torque the upper left nut first then the lower right nut. Then torque the lower left nut then the upper right nut.





4. Install the steering shaft coupler (7) on the steering shaft (1) and loosely install a new bolt (2).

NOTE: A new bolt must be used for reinstallation.

5. Tighten the coupler bolt (2) to 57 Nm (42 ft. lbs.).
6. Install a new brake light switch.





7. Install the shifter cable (2).





8. Connect the wiring harness (1, 2 & 3) to the column.
9. Install the SKIM module.
10. Install the clockspring.





11. Install the shrouds (1 & 2).





12. Install the steering column opening cover reinforcement (2).





13. Install the steering column opening cover (3).





14. Align the spline on the wheel hub to shaft.
15. Then install the steering wheel (3) and install a new bolt (4). Tighten the bolt to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).





16. Reconnect the electrical connectors (2) for the air bag (3).
17. Install the airbag (3).





18. Install the tilt lever handle (5).
19. Install the negative battery terminal.
20. Test the operation of the horn, Electronic PRNDL Indicator, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated.