Steering Column: Service and Repair

Fig. 4 Exploded View Of Steering Column W/Column Shift:

Fig. 5 Exploded View Of Steering Column W/Console Shift:

Fig. 6 Exploded View Of Steering Column:

Fig. 7 Exploded View Of Steering Column:

Removal

Refer to Figs. 4 through 7, for component identification.
1. Disarm airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.
2. Ensure vehicle wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
3. Disconnect battery ground cable.
4. Remove four airbag module retaining nuts, then lift module off steering wheel.
5. Disconnect speed control wire harness from steering wheel.
6. Remove steering wheel retaining bolt.
7. Install steering wheel puller (Part No. T67L-3600-A) or equivalent, and remove steering wheel. Route contact assembly wire harness through steering wheel as wheel is lifted off shaft.
8. Remove lower lefthand and righthand moldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainer.
9. Remove instrument panel lower trim panel and lower steering column shroud.
10. Disconnect clock spring contact assembly wire harness.
11. Apply two strips of tape across clock spring contact assembly stator and rotor to prevent accidental rotation.
12. Remove three contact assembly retaining screws, then pull contact assembly off steering column shaft.
13. Remove tilt lever from column assembly.
14. Rotate ignition lock cylinder to Run position. Using a 1/8 inch drift, depress lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove lock cylinder.
15. Remove four retaining screws from lower shroud, then column shrouds.
16. Remove instrument panel reinforcement.
17. Remove two interlock cable retaining screws, then cable.
18. Disconnect electrical connectors from multi-function and ignition switches.
19. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws, then switch.
20. Disconnect parking brake vacuum release hose at switch.
21. Remove pinch bolt from steering shaft flex coupling.
22. Remove interlock cable retaining screws, then cable end assembly.
23. While supporting column assembly, remove four column assembly retaining nuts.
24. Remove steering column.

Installation

1. Align column lower universal joint to lower shaft. Install one bolt, then torque to 29-41 ft. lbs.
2. Support column assembly to column support bracket. Install four retaining nuts, then torque to 15-25 ft. lbs.
3. Connect parking brake vacuum hoses, then install interlock cable.
4. Install multi-function switch torque mounting screws to 5-8 ft. lbs.
5. Connect all electrical connectors.
6. Install instrument panel reinforcement brace, torque bolts to 5-8 ft. lbs.
7. Install lower instrument panel cover.
8. Snap righthand and lefthand lower instrument panel moldings into place.
9. Install upper and lower column shrouds.
10. Install lock cylinder assembly, then tilt lever.
11. Install airbag clock spring contact assembly.
12. Install steering wheel, then torque new steering wheel retaining bolt to 23-33 ft. lbs.
13. Position airbag module to wheel, install four retaining nuts and torque to 3-4 ft. lbs.
14. Connect battery ground cable.
15. Rearm airbag system as described under MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG SYSTEM DISARMING.