Steering Column Installation

1. Install steering column on the studs in the steering column support bracket. Loosely install the 4 steering column assembly attaching nuts.








2. Tighten the 2 lower steering column assembly mounting nuts to hold the steering column in place. Be sure both breakaway capsules are still fully seated in the slots of the upper steering column mounting bracket and the mounting studs are centered for and aft in the plastic capsules. Then equally tighten both steering column upper mounting nuts, until upper steering column mounting bracket is seated against support bracket. Tighten the 4 steering column bracket to support bracket nuts to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).

CAUTION: Be sure drill bits are removed from steering column upper mounting bracket.





3. Remove the 2 drill bits from the steering column upper mounting bracket. If a new steering column is being installed in the vehicle, remove the shipping (grenade) pin from steering column upper mounting bracket.





4. Assemble the lower intermediate shaft coupler to the steering gear input shaft. Tighten the coupler pinch bolt nut to a torque of 27 Nm (240 inch lbs.). Be sure to install steering coupler pinch bolt retaining pin.





5. Install the shifter/ignition interlock cable in the lock cylinder housing.
6. Route wiring harness on steering column and install routing clip in bottom of steering column jacket.








7. Install multi and 2 wire wiring harness connectors on the back of the ignition switch. Then install the 2 wiring harness connectors on the multi function switch.





8. Install clockspring on switch housing. Install the 2 wiring harness connectors on the clockspring. Then install wiring harness connector on lock housing halo light.





9. Install the upper and lower steering column shrouds onto the lock housing of the steering column assembly. Install and securely tighten the 2 upper to lower steering column shroud to lock housing attaching screws.

CAUTION: Clockspring centering procedure MUST be performed prior to installing steering wheel assembly. If clockspring is not centered it may be overextended, causing clockspring assembly to become inoperative. The yellow centering indicator must be present in the centering window of the clockspring and the arrow on the clockspring rotor must be pointing at the centering window.

10. Center the clock spring using the following procedure.
- Depress the 2 plastic locking pins to disengage 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 clockwise travel, slowly rotate the rotor in the counterclockwise direction until yellow appears in the centering window of clockspring. When yellow appears in the centering window the arrow on the clockspring rotor will be pointing at yellow window on clock spring.
- 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.





11. Feed clockspring wiring leads through hole in steering wheel. Position steering wheel on shaft of steering column assembly, making sure to fit flats on hub of steering wheel with formations on inside of clockspring.
12. Install steering wheel to steering column shaft retaining nut and tighten until steering wheel is fully installed on shaft. Tighten steering wheel retaining nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
13. Turn the key cylinder to the unlock position, unlocking the steering column shaft.
14. Correctly route the speed control switch wiring leads from the clockspring to the speed control switch openings in steering wheel.





15. Connect the horn switch wiring lead from the clockspring to the airbag module horn switch wiring lead.








16. Install the airbag electrical lead into connector on back of airbag module. Insert locking tab into back of airbag connector. Be sure electrical connector from clockspring is securely latched into airbag module connector.

CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, originally used for the airbag components are specifically designed for the airbag system. They must never be replaced with any substitutes. Anytime a new fastener is needed, replace only with correct fasteners provided in service packages or fasteners listed in the parts book.





17. Install airbag module into center of steering wheel. Install only the 2 original or correct replacement airbag module attaching bolts. Torque the 2 airbag module attaching bolts to 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.).





18. Connect the clockspring electrical leads to the speed control switches. Install the speed control switches in the steering wheel. Install and securely tighten screws attaching the speed control switches to the steering wheel.





19. Install lower instrument panel knee bolster onto the lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten the knee bolster to instrument panel attaching screws.
20. Install the instrument panel ton cover.





21. Install screw behind fuse panel cover holding dash panel top cover. Install fuse panel cover on left end of dash panel.

Fig. 8:

22. Install the 3 screws holding dash panel top cover to the center dash panel.





23. Install center bezel surrounding radio and climate control panel from top cover of instrument panel.

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

24. 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 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 airbag lamp. It should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the airbag system is functioning normally.
25. If airbag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system malfunction.
26. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable reset the radio and the clock.
27. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of the steering system and the speed control system.