Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Disarm airbag before servicing steering column. Refer to MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG DEACTIVATION for disarming procedures.

Fig. 32 Steering Column Exploded View.:

Before removing the SIR steering column, Fig. 32, the wheels of the car must be straight and the column in the Lock position. Care must be taken when handling column with a live inflator module. Never point bag deploy surface toward you, and never stand column on steering wheel. Accidental deployment in these positions may cause injury. Always face bag deploy surface toward open space to allow for unrestricted expansion.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove steering wheel as follows:
a. Remove four screw from rear of steering wheel, then remove inflator module from steering wheel.
b. Remove steering attaching nut.

Fig. 33 Steering Wheel Removal.:

c. Attach wheel puller J 8433-1 and J 8433-3 or equivalent Fig. 33, then remove steering wheel.
3. Remove steering shaft trim panel.
4. Remove lower column steering trim panel attaching screws, then trim panel.
5. Remove lower column reinforcement plate attaching screws, then plate.
6. Disconnect steering column electrical connectors.
7. On models with automatic transmissions, remove transaxle shift interlock cable from ignition switch.
8. On all models, remove column to steering shaft joint pinch bolt.

Fig. 34 Upper & Lower Column Attaching Bolts.:

Fig. 35 Steering Column Measurement.:

9. Remove two upper and lower column attaching bolts Fig. 34, then column.
10. Measure column as shown in Fig. 35. If measurement is less than 20.96 inches, replace column.
11. Reverse procedure to install noting the following:
a. Torque upper and lower steering column attaching bolts to 124 lb in
b. Torque steering column to steering shaft pinch bolt to 18 lb ft
c. When all service procedures have been completed, rearm airbag as outlined in MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES/AIRBAG ACTIVATION.