Steering Column: Service and Repair
Removal and InstallationCAUTION: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain column length leaning on the column assembly could cause it to bend or deform. Any of the damage could impair the column's collapsible design. When loosening steering column mounting bolts and nuts, make sure that steering column assembly and steering upper shaft assembly have been separated. Loosening them with steering column assembly and steering upper shaft assembly assembled could cause damage to upper joint and mounting bracket in steering upper shaft assembly.
NOTE: When servicing steering column or any column-mounted component, remove steering wheel. But when removing steering column simply to gain access to instrument panel components, leave steering wheel installed on steering column.
Removal
WARNING: Never rest a steering column assembly on the steering wheel with air bag (inflator) module face down and column vertical. Otherwise personal injury may result.
CAUTION: Never turn steering wheel while steering column with steering wheel is removed. Turning steering wheel more than about two and a half turns will break contact coil.
1. Disconnect negative (-) cable at battery.
2. Disable air bag system.
3. Remove steering wheel and contact coil and combination switch assembly, if necessary.
Perform the following procedure if not removing steering wheel and/or combination switch.
a. Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-ahead position.
b. Turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position and remove key.
4. Remove steering column hole cover (1).
5. Disconnect all connectors for the following parts.
^ Contact coil and combination switch Ignition switch
6. Remove steering upper shaft upper joint bolt (1) and nut (2) and disconnect steering upper shaft upper joint removing in arrow direction in the figure.
7. Remove steering column (1) mounting bolts (2 pieces) (2) and nuts (2 pieces) (3).
8. If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable (1), remove shift (key) interlock cable screw (2) and then disconnect its cable (1) from ignition switch.
9. Remove steering column from vehicle.
Installation
CAUTION: After tightening steering column mounting bolts, steering shaft joint bolts should be tightened.
1. Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-ahead position.
2. If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable (1), install shift (key) interlock cable (1) to ignition switch.
Tightening torque
Shift (key) interlock cable screw (a): 2.2 Nm (0.22 kgf-m, 1.6 ft. lbs.)
3. Install steering column assembly (1) with contacting upper side of lower bracket slits to mounting bolts. Tighten steering column lower mounting nuts (3) first and then upper mounting bolts (2) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering column mounting bolts and nuts (b): 25 Nm (2.5 kgf-m, 18.0 ft. lbs.)
4. Align cutting point "A" of steering column assembly (1) with bolt hole "B" of steering upper shaft upper joint as shown in the figure. Then connect steering upper shaft upper joint.
5. Install steering upper shaft upper joint bolt (2) and nut (1). Tighten steering upper shaft upper joint nut (1) to specified torque.
Tightening torque
Steering upper shaft upper joint nut (a): 23 Nm (2.3 kgf-m, 17.0 ft. lbs.)
6. If contact coil and combination switch assembly is removed, install it.
7. Connect all connectors that have been removed in removal.
8. Install steering column hole cover (1).
9. If steering wheel is removed, install it.
10. Connect negative (-) cable to battery.
11. After installing steering column assembly, be sure to enable air bag system.