Steering - Steering Column Clicking Noise When Turning
09-095December 4, 2009
Applies To:
2006-10 Ridgeline - ALL
Click Coming From the Steering Column While Turning
SYMPTOM
A clicking comes from the steering column when you turn the steering wheel.
PROBABLE CAUSE
The steering column lower bearing is mis-set.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the steering column.
PARTS INFORMATION
Steering Column:
P/N 53200-SJC-A03, H/C 7982804
Torx Bolt (two required):
P/N 90134-S7S-N81, H/C 6831218
Shear Bolt (two required):
P/N 351 02-5V4-003, H/C 4288783
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty:
The normal warranty applies.
Failed Part: P/N 53200-SJC-A03
H/C 7982804
Defect Code: 07404
Symptom Code: 04201
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty:
Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.
DIAGNOSIS
1. With the transmission in P and the parking brake set, start the engine, and let it idle.
2. Tilt the steering column all the way down, and pull it all the way out.
3. Using a stethoscope or a Chassis Ear, listen to the lower area of the steering column while turning the steering wheel.
Do you hear a click from the steering column in the area shown below?
Yes - Go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - This service bulletin does not apply. Continue with normal troubleshooting to find the source of the noise
REPAIR PROCEDURE
NOTE:
This procedure is in an outline form that you can also use as a checklist for the repair. If you need more details, bookmark the following procedures in the appropriate Ridgeline service manual, or view them online:
^ Battery Terminal Disconnection and Reconnection
^ Driver's Airbag Removal/Installation
^ Steering Wheel Removal/Installation
^ Steering Column Cover Removal/Installation
^ Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
1. With the engine idling, set the steering wheel/front wheels in the straight ahead position, then turn off the ignition switch, and remove the key.
2. Stick a piece of masking tape on top of the steering wheel hub and another on the steering column cover, then draw a line in the middle of both pieces of tape. This helps to align the steering wheel when you reinstall it later.
3. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure.
4. Remove the driver's airbag.
5. Remove the steering wheel.
NOTE:
Make sure not to turn the cable reel while the steering wheel is off. Use a small piece of masking tape on the cable reel to hold it in place.
6. Set the column shaft in the neutral position by pulling up the steering column to the uppermost position, then lower it 8 mm (0.31 in.). Tighten the lock lever.
7. Remove the steering column covers.
8. Move the shift lever to N, then remove the shift cable from the steering column, and set it aside.
9. Disconnect the immobilizer receiver unit, the park pin switch, and the shift lock solenoid.
10. Remove the steering joint cover.
11. Loosen the upper steering joint bolt, and remove the lower steering joint bolt. Disconnect the steering joint by sliding it toward the column shaft.
NOTE:
^ Do not disconnect the steering joint from the column shaft.
^ If the center guide is in place on the pinion shaft and hasn't moved, leave it in place. If the center guide is out of place, discard it.
12. Remove the steering column:
^ Disconnect the wire harness connectors from the combination switch assembly/cable reel.
^ Remove the combination switch assembly/cable reel from the steering column shaft by removing the three screws. Make sure not to turn the cable reel.
^ Disconnect the ignition switch connectors, then release the wire harness clips from the steering column.
^ With the lock lever in the locked position, remove the steering column by removing the attaching nuts and bolts, and then carefully guiding it out of the dashboard.
NOTE:
Do not release the lock lever until the new steering column is installed.
13. Remove the steering lock from the original steering column:
^ Center-punch each of the two shear bolts, and drill their heads off.
^ Remove the steering lock and its bracket from the steering column. The steering lock and the bracket will be reused on the new steering column.
14. Install the steering lock onto the new steering column without the ignition key inserted.
15. Hand-tighten the new shear bolts.
16. Insert the ignition key. Make sure the steering wheel lock works correctly and the ignition key turns freely.
17. Tighten the steering lock shear bolts until their hex heads twist off.
18. Carefully guide the new steering column into place, taking care not to let the sliding plates fall out of position, and make sure there are no wires caught or pinched by any parts.
19. If the wheels or rack moved while the column was disconnected, then center the steering rack within its stroke.
20. Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering shaft (line up the bolt hole with the flat portion on the shaft), and loosely install the upper steering joint bolt.
21. Check that the steering rack is still centered within its stroke, with the front wheels straight ahead. Then slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft.
NOTE:
^ If the center guide is in place on the pinion shaft, install the steering joint by aligning it with the center guide.
^ If there is no center guide on the pinion shaft, position the steering joint by aligning its gap within the angle shown.
22. Reconnect the ignition switch connectors, then attach the wire harness clips to the steering column.
23. Reinstall the combination switch assembly/cable reel on the steering column shaft, reconnect the wire connectors, then tighten the three screws in the order shown below.
NOTE:
If the cable reel was turned while the combination switch assembly/cable reel was off, center the cable reel: Turn it gently clockwise until it stops, then turn it counterclockwise about three turns (until the arrow on the cable reel label points straight up).
24. Align the bolt hole on the steering joint with the groove around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower joint bolt. Make sure the bolt is securely in the pinion shaft groove.
25. Pull on the steering joint to make sure it's fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt and the upper joint bolt to the torque in the illustration.
26. Reinstall the steering joint cover.
27. Reinstall the steering column covers.
28. Reinstall the steering wheel, aligning the marks you made on the steering wheel and the steering column cover. Torque the steering wheel nut to 49 N.m (36 lb-ft). Remove the tape from the steering wheel and the steering column cover.
29. Reinstall the driver's airbag with new Torx bolts. Torque the Torx bolts to 9.8 N.m (7.2 lb-if).
30. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure.
31. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and watch the SRS indicator; it should come on for about 6 seconds, and then go off. If the SRS indicator stays on, check for SRS DTCs, and do the appropriate troubleshooting procedure.
32. Check the operation of the horn, the turn signals, and the steering wheel switches. If any problems are found, recheck your installation.
33. Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust the front toe if needed.
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