Steering Wheel: Service and Repair

The content of this article reflects the changes called out by TSB 26-04-99.

REMOVAL
1. Place the front road wheels in the straight ahead position then:
- Rotate the steering wheel half turn (180 degrees) to the right (clockwise)
- Lock column with the ignition cylinder lock
2. Open hood and disconnect the negative battery cable remote terminal from the remote battery post.
3. Wait two minutes for the reserve capacitor to discharge before removing non deployed module.
4. Remove speed control switches and connectors.
5. Remove the airbag module attaching bolts on the front of the steering wheel.
6. Lift module and disconnect the airbag and horn wire connectors.
7. Remove steering wheel retaining nut.
8. Remove steering wheel with steering wheel puller tool C-3428B. While removing steering wheel, take care to feed the wires gently through the opening in the steering wheel armature.

INSTALLATION
1. Confirm that:
- The steering wheel position is a half turn (180 degrees) to the right (clockwise)
- The column is locked with the ignition cylinder lock.
- Check that the turn signal stalk is in the neutral position
2. Install steering wheel ensuring the flats on hub align with the clockspring. Pull all wires over the top of the hub area on the wheel. Pull the airbag and speed control leads through the larger slot. Ensure leads do not get pinched under the steering wheel.
3. Install retaining nut, and tighten it to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
4. Route speed control wires through the slots in the steering wheel back cover
5. Connect the yellow horn lead wire and the air-bag lead wire to the airbag module.
6. Install the airbag module and tighten bolts to 12 - 14 Nm (105 - 125 in. lbs.) torque.
7. Connect the speed control wires to the switches and install switches. Tighten screws to 1.4 - 2.0 Nm (12 - 18 in. lbs.) torque.
8. Do not connect the battery negative cable remote terminal. Refer to Airbag System Check for proper procedure.