Column Service

Removal & Disassembly

1. Remove steering column from vehicle as described previously.
2. Remove two nuts and bolts which connect transmission gear shift shaft support bracket to steering column collar.
3. Remove C-clip retainer from upper end of shift cane assembly, then pull assembly down and out of bearing and washer located in lock cylinder housing and detent plate.
4. Inspect bearing, if damaged or excessively worn, replace using tool T67L-7341-A, or equivalent.
5. Pull plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover from upper shaft and allow it to hang on shift selector lever.
6. Using a small drift, remove roll pin which connects gear shift selector lever to shift cane upper shaft.
7. If shift selector lever spring and plunger assembly is damaged or excessively worn, replace by removing two screws on upper shift cane shaft.
8. If PRND21 lever is damaged or excessively worn, replace by removing one screw on upper shift cane assembly.
9. Scribe a mark on both the upper and lower shafts, where the shafts form a joint. Scribe marks on one side only to ensure that the two shafts will not be reassembled 180 degrees out of position.
10. Separate upper and lower shift cane sections, then slide lower shift cane support bracket off lower shaft. Replace bushing if damaged or excessively worn.
11. Remove and discard two steel anti-rattle clips.

Assembly & Installation

1. Install two new steel anti-rattle clips so that they face in the same direction as grooves on shift cane upper shaft. With bushing installed on lower shift cane support bracket, install bracket onto lower shaft.
2. Using chassis grease, liberally lubricate lower six inches of the shift cane upper shaft, then place lower shift cane shaft in a vise and install the upper shaft into lower shaft to mark scribed on during disassembly procedure. Use care not to damage upper end of shaft cane during assembly of the lower shaft. Check scribed marks on upper and lower shafts made during disassembly to ensure that two shaft sections are not installed 180 degrees out of position.
3. Loosely install plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover on shift selector lever, then insert selector lever through slot in upper shaft and install new roll pin. The tip of the selector lever should protrude through the upper shaft on the side of the plunger and spring assembly.
4. Install plastic transmission control selector lever opening cover on upper shaft, then insert upper end of shift cane into bearing and washer in lock cylinder housing and install C-clip retainer. Ensure shift selector lever mates correctly with detent plate on lock cylinder housing.
5. Align lower support bracket with two holes in steering column collar, then install two nuts and bolts and torque to 15-22 ft. lbs.
6. Check shift cane for smooth operation. Lubricate selector lever, plunger, spring and detent plate with chassis lubricant.
7. Install steering column as described previously.