Steering Column Installation

NOTE: If a new steering column is being installed in the vehicle, transfer the following parts from the removed steering column to the replacement steering column. The steering column to dash panel mounting plate and seal, ignition switch, multi-function switch and clockspring.





1. Be sure ground clip is installed over plastic capsule on the ignition side of the steering column upper mounting bracket.

CAUTION: When steering column is installed in vehicle, place a cover on the cushion of the front seat to protect seat from damage.

2. Install steering column in vehicle with steering column shaft through hole in dash panel. Lay top of steering column on driver seat of vehicle.

NOTE: When installing the shifter interlock mechanism the screws must be tightened in the sequence as noted in step 3.





3. Install shifter interlock mechanism on steering column. Loosely install the 2 screws mounting shifter interlock mechanism to steering column. Securely tighten the top screw first mounting the interlock mechanism to the steering column. Then securely tighten the bottom screw mounting the interlock mechanism to the steering column.





4. Install bottom of steering column on the 3 studs in the dash panel.





5. Position the steering column upper mounting bracket on the studs in the steering column support bracket. Loosely install the 2 steering column upper mounting bracket attaching nuts and washers. Do not tighten mounting nuts at this time.
6. Install the 3 nuts attaching the bottom of the steering column to the dash panel. Tighten the nuts to a torque of 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).
7. Tighten the steering column upper mounting bracket nuts to a torque of 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).





8. Install the intermediate steering shaft flex joint on the steering column shaft. Install the pinch bolt in the flex joint. Tighten the pinch bolt to a torque of 41 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).





NOTE: When installing ignition switch be sure it is properly engaged with the ignition locking link and steering shaft lock plate in tilt head of steering column.





9. Install ignition switch on tilt head of steering column. Install the 3 screws attaching ignition switch to tilt head. Tighten the 3 screws to a torque of 2 Nm (17 inch lbs.).
10. Install lock cylinder in ignition switch. Lock cylinder is installed by inserting it into the ignition switch and then rotating the lock cylinder to the off position. When lock cylinder is in the off position remove key from lock cylinder.





11. Install clockspring and wiring harness on steering column. Be sure retaining tab on clockspring is properly retaining the clockspring to the tilt head.





12. Install multi-function switch on tilt head of steering column. Install the 2 mounting screws. Tighten mounting screws to a torque of 2 Nm (20 inch lbs.).

NOTE: If a replacement steering column is being installed, the tilt head must be in the full down position for installation of the upper shroud. Install tilt lever, position tilt head to the full down position and remove the tilt lever.





13. Install upper shroud on steering column.
14. Install tilt lever on steering column.
15. Position tilt head of steering column in the full up position.





16. Install lower shroud on steering column. Install and securely tighten the 3 screws attaching lower shroud to upper shroud and steering column.

NOTE: When installing tachometer on steering column, connect the wiring harness to the tachometer before it is installed. Wiring harness can not be connected after tachometer is installed.





17. Install tachometer on steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws mounting the tachometer to its mounting bracket.

CAUTION: Clockspring centering procedure MUST be performed prior to installing steering wheel. If clockspring is not centered it may be overextended, causing clockspring to become inoperative.

18. Center the clock spring using the following procedure.





- Depress the 2 plastic locking tabs to disengage the clockspring locking mechanism.
- Keeping locking mechanism disengaged, rotate the clockspring rotor in the CLOCKWISE DIRECTION to the end of the travel. Do not apply excessive torque.
- From the end of the clockwise travel, slowly rotate the rotor two and one-half turns counterclockwise. The horn wire should be at the bottom and the airbag and steering wheel switches wiring should be at the top.
- Engage the clockspring locking mechanism.

CAUTION: Do not install steering wheel onto shaft of steering column assembly by driving it onto the shaft. Pull steering wheel down onto steering column shaft using ONLY the steering wheel retaining nut.





19. Feed the clockspring wiring lead for the airbag and steering wheel switches over the top of the steering wheel. Feed the horn switch wire from the clockspring through the hole in steering wheel.
20. Position the steering wheel on the shaft of the steering column, making sure to fit flat on hub of steering wheel with formations on clockspring.





21. Install steering wheel mounting nut and tighten until steering wheel is fully installed on steering column shaft. Then tighten steering wheel nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).





22. Connect wiring lead from clock spring into wiring harness on steering wheel for steering wheel mounted switches.





23. Connect clockspring wiring leads for air bag and horn switch to a air bag module and horn switch wire

CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, originally used for the airbag components are specifically designed for the airbag system. They must not be replaced with any substitutes. Anytime a new fastener is needed, replace it only with the correct fasteners provided in service packages or with fasteners listed in the parts book.





24. Install the airbag module in steering wheel. Install the 3 original or correct replacement airbag module attaching bolts. Tighten the airbag module attaching bolts to a torque of 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.).

CAUTION: When reconnecting battery on a vehicle that has had the air bag module removed, ensure no occupants are in the vehicle and the following procedure is used.





25. Install knee blocker panel on lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws attaching knee blocker panel to lower instrument panel.
26. Reconnecting of the battery negative cable is to be done using the steps in the procedure listed below.
- Remove forward console or cover as necessary.
- Connect Diagnostic Readout Box (DRB) scan tool to Air Bag System Diagnostic Module (ASDM) diagnostic 6-way connector, located at right side of the ASDM module.
- Turn ignition key to ON position. Exit vehicle with the DRB scan tool. Install the latest version of the proper diagnostic cartridge into the DRB scan tool.
- Ensuring that their are no occupants in the vehicle, connect negative cable to negative post of the battery.
- Using the DRB scan tool read and record active fault codes. Also read and record any stored fault codes.
- Erase stored faults if there are no active fault codes. If problems remain, fault codes will not erase.
- From the passenger side of the vehicle, turn ignition key to OFF and then ON observing instrument cluster air bag lamp. It should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the air bag system is functioning normally.
27. If air bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there is an air bag system malfunction.
28. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable reset the radio and the clock.
29. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of the steering system and the speed control system.