Steering Column: Service and Repair

Steering Column:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable, then disarm airbag system as described under ``Airbag System Disarming.''
2. Center front wheels to the straight ahead position.
3. Remove four airbag module retaining nuts, then lift module off steering wheel.
4. Disconnect the airbag wiring harness connector from airbag module, then remove airbag module from vehicle. Place airbag module face up with retaining studs downward touching bench.
5. Disconnect speed control wire harness from steering wheel, then remove steering wheel retaining bolt. Discard bolt.
6. Install Steering Wheel Puller tool No. T67L-3600-A or equivalent, then remove steering wheel from column. Ensure contact assembly wiring harness does not get caught on wheel assembly when lifting off shaft.
7. Remove righthand and lefthand lower mouldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainers.
8. Remove instrument panel lower trim cover.
9. Remove airbag clockspring contact assembly as follows:
a. Apply two strips of tape across contact assembly stator and rotor to prevent accidental rotation.
b. Remove three contact assembly retaining screws, then pull contact assembly off steering column shaft.
10. Remove tilt lever by unscrewing it from column.
11. Rotate ignition lock cylinder to Run position, then using a 1/8 inch pin punch, depress lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove lock cylinder.
12. Remove four screws retaining the upper and lower column shrouds, then remove shrouds from steering column.
13. Remove instrument panel reinforcement.
14. Remove two interlock cable retaining screws, then cable from column.
15. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws, then set multi-function switch aside.
16. Remove parking brake vacuum release assembly or disconnect vacuum hose at switch.
17. Remove pinch bolt from steering shaft flex coupling.
18. Remove interlock cable retaining screws, then cable end assembly.
19. While supporting column assembly, remove four column assembly retaining nuts.
20. Remove steering column from vehicle.
21. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque airbag clockspring assembly to 18-26 inch lbs.
b. Torque New steering wheel retaining bolt to 23-33 ft. lbs.
c. Torque airbag module retaining nuts to 36-47 inch lbs.
d. Rearm airbag system refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES