Steering Column Replacement

Steering Column Replacement

Tools Required

J 42640 Steering Column Lock Pin

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to SIR Caution (SIR Caution).

Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.

Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling (Service and Repair).




2. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640.
3. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement (Steering Wheel Replacement).
4. Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement (Knee Bolster Replacement).




5. Disconnect the steering column electrical connector.
6. Disconnect the body wiring harness connector from the steering column lower bracket.




7. Remove the intermediate shaft bolt from the steering column.




8. Remove the steering column mounting nuts.
9. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure




1. Install the steering column to the vehicle and connect the column to the intermediate shaft.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice).

2. Install the steering column mounting nuts.

Tighten the nuts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).





Important: Perform the following procedure before installing the bolt.


1. Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.

2. Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.

3. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) or LOCTITE(TM) 222.


3. Install the intermediate shaft bolt to the steering column.

Tighten the bolt to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).




4. Connect the body wiring harness connector to the steering column lower bracket.
5. Connect the steering column electrical connector to the vehicle wiring harness.

Tighten the screw to 6 Nm (53 ft. lbs.).

6. Install the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement (Knee Bolster Replacement).
7. Install the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement (Steering Wheel Replacement).
8. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the lower trim cover access hole.
9. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling (Service and Repair).