Removal and Installation
RemovalWARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
Note: Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
Note: All steering column components are assembled with specific fasteners. They are designed with a thread locking system to prevent loosening due to vibrations associated with normal vehicle operation.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.
2. Remove the steering wheel.
3. Remove the steering column lower trim mouldings.
- On all except Commercial Chassis, grasp the bottom of the instrument panel steering column cover and pull to disengage the bottom from its retained position, then grasp the top of the instrument panel steering column cover and pull to disengage the instrument panel steering column cover from its retained position.
- On Commercial Chassis, remove the steering column tube lower trim, if so equipped.
4. Remove the steering column release lever by unscrewing it from the steering column.
5. Rotate the [1][2]ignition switch lock cylinder to the RUN position. Using a 1/8-inch drift, press the retaining pin of the lock cylinder through the access hole in the lower steering column shroud and remove the ignition switch lock cylinder.
6. Remove the clockspring.
7. Remove the four retaining screws from the lower steering column shroud and remove the upper shroud from the column.
8. On all except Commercial Chassis, unsnap the lower instrument panel steering column cover, then remove the six knee brace retaining bolts.
9. Remove the steering column support:
- On all except Commercial Chassis, remove the two bolts from the instrument panel steering column opening cover reinforcement.
- On Commercial Chassis, remove the four retaining nuts from the steering column support.
10. Disconnect the PRND21 cable from the steering actuator housing by removing one screw.
11. Disconnect the PRND21 cable loop from the shift tube hook.
12. Remove the two retaining screws and two electrical connectors from the switch. Remove the multi-function switch from the steering column.
13. Remove the pinch bolt from the steering column universal joint.
14. Disconnect the shift cable from the selector lever pivot arm.
15. Remove the shift cable from the steering column lower mounting bracket by pushing the tab on the cable in and sliding the cable off the bracket.
16. Disconnect the ignition switch.
17. Lower the steering column bend bracket and disconnect the plastic electrical connectors.
18. While supporting the steering column, remove the four retaining nuts.
19. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
Installation
WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.
WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.
WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).
1. Slide the shift cable into position on the steering column lower mounting bracket, then secure with the retaining tab on the shift cable.
2. Snap the shift cable onto the shift selector pivot arm.
3. Connect the two electrical connectors of the multi-function switch. Position the multi-function switch and install the two retaining screws.
4. Snap the wire connector bracket onto the bend bracket, and connect all electrical connectors.
5. Tilt the column in the down position, and install the air bag sliding contact.
6. Attach the PRND21 cable loop on the shift selector hook, and install the transmission shift cable bracket to the steering actuator housing. Install the retaining screw and tighten.
7. Note: For vehicles with an E40D transmission, a protective cover (such as a rag) must be placed between the gearshift lever and the steering column shroud opening during steering column shroud removal. This will prevent damage to the shrink wrap on the gearshift lever.
Install the upper and lower steering column shroud.
8. Support the steering column-to-column support bracket.
- On all except Commercial Chassis, install the four retaining nuts and tighten.
- On Commercial Chassis, install the four retaining nuts and tighten.
9. Align the steering column universal joint to the lower shaft.
- On all except Commercial Chassis, install one bolt, and tighten.
- On Commercial Chassis, install one bolt, and tighten.
10. Install the steering column support.
- On all except Commercial Chassis, install the instrument panel steering column cover reinforcement and two bolts.
- On Commercial Chassis, install the steering column support bracket and the four retaining nuts.
11. On all except Commercial Chassis install the knee brace, and secure with six retaining bolts, then install instrument panel steering column cover.
12. Install the lower instrument panel moulding.
- On all except Commercial Chassis, align the bottom instrument panel steering column cover clips in the mounting holes, align the top instrument panel steering column cover clips in the mounting holes, then push evenly to engage the instrument panel steering column cover.
- On Commercial Chassis, install the steering column tube lower trim, if so equipped.
13. Position the ignition switch contact into position while installing the ignition lock cylinder.
14. Install the steering column release lever.
15. Install the steering wheel.
16. Reconnect the battery ground cable.
17. On all except Commercial Chassis, verify the air bag warning indicator.