Steering Column Removal
WARNING: Safety goggles should be worn at all times when working on steering columns.1. Position the front wheels of the vehicle in the straight ahead position.
2. Remove the ground cable (-) from the negative post on the battery. When removed, isolate the ground cable from the negative post on the battery.
CAUTION: Wait for a minimum of 2 minutes before starting the procedure to remove the steering column from the vehicle. This will allow the airbag system capacitor time to de-energize.
3. Remove the 2 screws mounting the steering column opening trim panel to the lower instrument panel. Unclip the 2 retaining clips holding the top edge of the trim panel to instrument panel. Remove the steering column opening trim panel from the lower instrument panel.
WARNING:
- When an undeployed air bag assembly is to be removed from the steering wheel, disconnect battery ground cable and isolate. Allow system capacitor to discharge for two minutes, then begin air bag removal.
- When handling an undeployed air bag module during servicing of the steering column the following precautions should be observed. At no time should any source of electricity be permitted near the inflator on the back of the airbag module. When carrying a live module, the trim cover should be pointed away from the body to minimize injury if module accidently deploys. If air bag module is placed on a bench or other surface, plastic cover should be face up to minimize movement in case of accidental deployment.
4. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel. The airbag module is mounted to the steering wheel by a bolt located in each spoke of the steering wheel. Access for the mounting bolts is from the back side of each steering wheel spoke.
5. Disconnect airbag wiring harness connector from clockspring at airbag module. Then disconnect wiring lead for horn switch in airbag module from clockspring wiring lead.
6. Disconnect clockspring wiring harness from wiring harness for steering wheel mounted switches.
7. Remove steering wheel retaining nut.
CAUTION: When installing bolts for steering wheel puller into steering wheel, be sure bolts are fully installed into the threaded holes in the steering wheel. If bolts are not fully installed into the threaded holes, threads may be pulled out of the steering wheel when puller is tightened to remove steering wheel.
8. Install Puller, Snap-On CJ2001P or an equivalent three point puller on the steering wheel.
CAUTION:
- Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
- Do not apply heat to steering wheel when removing steering wheel from steering column shaft.
9. Remove steering wheel from steering column shaft.
10. Remove tachometer from steering column. Remove tachometer by taking out the 2 screws mounting the tachometer bracket to the bracket on the steering column. Unplug wiring harness from tachometer.
11. Remove lower shroud from steering column. Lower shroud is attached to steering column and upper shroud by 3 tore head screws accessible from the bottom of the lower shroud.
12. Loosen the 2 nuts mounting the steering column upper mounting bracket to the steering column support bracket studs. Thread nuts down to the end of the studs.
13. Lower the steering column so it is supported by the nuts on the end of the studs.
14. Remove tilt lever from steering column.
15. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the clockspring from the steering column before removing the multi-function switch. The clockspring is retained by a tab located under the multi-function switch. This tab will be broken off the clockspring if it is not properly released.
16. Remove the 2 screws mounting the multi-function switch to the tilt head on the steering column. Remove multi-function switch, with wiring harness attached, from steering column
NOTE: If the wiring harness is not long enough to allow removing the clockspring with the harness attached, remove the wiring harness from the clockspring. Do not put a strain on the wiring harness when removing clockspring.
17. Using a screwdriver release retaining tab locking clockspring to tilt head on steering column. Then remove clockspring, with wiring harness attached, from steering column tilt head.
18. Remove key cylinder from ignition switch. Key cylinder is removed using the following procedure. Rotate the key cylinder to the on position. Using a small screwdriver press in the key cylinder retaining tab. While holding retaining tab in with screwdriver, pull the lock cylinder out of ignition switch.
19. Remove the 3 screws mounting the ignition switch to the tilt housing. Remove ignition switch, with wiring harnesses attached, from tilt housing.
20. Remove intermediate steering shaft flex joint from steering column shaft. Flex joint is removed using following procedure. Remove bolt from flex joint on intermediate steering shaft. Then slide flex joint off the end of the steering column shaft.
21. Remove wiring harness routing clip from steering column.
22. Remove the 3 nuts mounting the steering column to the dash panel.
23. Remove the 2 nuts mounting the steering column upper mounting bracket to the steering column support bracket studs.
NOTE: Put a protective cover on the seat of the vehicle before lowering steering column onto seat to protect the seat from damage.
24. Lower steering column onto floor and drivers seat of vehicle.
25. Remove shifter interlock mechanism from steering column. Shifter interlock mechanism is removed by taking out the 2 mounting screws and lifting the mechanism off the steering column.
26. Remove the steering column from the vehicle. Use care to avoid damaging the paint or the interior trim of the vehicle.