Steering Column

NOTE:
- Before proceeding, review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS found under Service Precautions.
- This procedure is to be used when replacing the steering column. It is written to reflect that objective. If the column is to be removed as one assembly, or without removing the steering wheel, the steering wheel must be turned from the straight ahead position to the RIGHT 180° and locked in place. Lock the column in this position by removing the key from the key cylinder. This MUST be performed before the steering coupler to the gear is disconnected. This is done to prevent the chance of damaging the clockspring. When reconnecting the steering coupler to the intermediate shaft, verify the front wheels have not moved from their position when column was removed. If during column reinstallation, any doubt is present as to whether the clockspring is properly centered, the clockspring centering procedure in Step 19 MUST be performed prior to connecting the steering coupler.

REMOVAL






1. Remove remote ground cable from ground stud on shock tower and isolate ground cable from vehicle by installing isolator on stud.






2. Remove the fuse panel cover from the left end of the instrument panel.






3. Remove the 2 screws behind the fuse panel cover attaching the lower instrument panel cover to the instrument panel.
4. Remove the lower instrument panel cover. The lower instrument panel cover is attached by retaining clips along the top and right edge.






5. Remove the wiring harness connector from the trunk release switch in the lower instrument panel cover.






6. Remove the parking brake release cable from the park brake release handle in the lower instrument panel cover.











7. Remove the 4 bolts mounting the reinforcement to the instrument panel. Remove the reinforcement from the instrument panel. Remove the diagnostic connector from the reinforcement.
8. Before beginning removal of steering column assembly from vehicle, be sure front wheels of vehicle are in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.






9. Remove the speed control switches from the steering wheel. The speed control switches are mounted to the steering wheel by two screws (one screw, each switch) which are accessible from the back side of the steering wheel.

NOTE: Wait for a minimum of 2 minutes before starting to remove airbag from steering wheel. This will allow the airbag system capacitor to de-energize.

WARNING:
- WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG 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 AIRBAG REMOVAL.
- WHEN HANDLING AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG 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 AIRBAG MODULE IS PLACED ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, PLASTIC COVER SHOULD BE FACE UP TO MINIMIZE MOVEMENT IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.






10. Remove the 2 bolts attaching the steering wheel.
11. Remove the airbag module from the steering wheel.






12. Remove the connector lock from the airbag electrical lead connector. Connector lock is removed by pulling it straight out of the airbag connector. Do not twist the connector lock when removing it from the airbag.
13. Disconnect the electrical connector from the back of the airbag module. Connector is removed by pulling it straight out of the airbag module. Do not twist the connector when removing it from the airbag.
14. Remove the horn switch wire from the clockspring horn wire.






15. Remove the steering wheel attaching nut from the steering column shaft.

CAUTION: When installing wheel puller on steering wheel, be sure puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes in the steering wheel. If bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, threads may be stripped out when removing the steering wheel.






16. Install puller on steering wheel as shown.

CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.

17. Remove steering wheel from steering column shaft.

NOTE: The upper shroud on this steering column is retained to the steering column by a snap fit to the lower shroud. When removing the upper shroud from the steering column lower shroud, DO NOT use a hard or sharp tool. This will damage the shrouds. If a tool must be used, use a soft tool such as a trim stick.

18. Remove the steering column upper shroud from the steering column using the following procedure. First, on the right seam between the upper and lower shrouds, push in on seam at the forward end. When the upper shroud unsnaps, pull the upper shroud upward away from the lower. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the column to release the upper shroud from the lower. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column.






19. Remove the tilt lever from the steering column.






20. Remove the 2 screws attaching the lower shroud to the steering column. Remove the lower shroud from the steering column.





21. Remove the wiring harness connectors from the clockspring.





22. Remove the 2 screws mounting the clockspring to the steering column. Remove the clockspring from the steering column.
23. Disconnect the wire harness connector at the SKIM module. Remove the mounting screw and unclip the module from the key cylinder halo bezel.





24. Remove the wiring harness from the routing clip on the top of the multi-function switch. Remove the 2 screws mounting the multi-function switch to the steering column. Remove the multifunction switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.






25. Remove the 2 screws mounting the ignition switch to the steering column. Remove the ignition switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.






26. If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted shifter, depress the locking tab on the shifter/ignition interlock cable and remove the cable from the key lock housing.






27. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, remove the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) solenoid from the shift lever mechanism. To do so, perform the following:
a. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the solenoid.






b. Remove the retainer clip from the end of the solenoid.
c. Slide the solenoid straight off the shift lever.






28. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, remove the shift cable from the shifter mechanism. Unlock the cable lock, then, the shift cable is removed by inserting a screwdriver between the shift cable and the shifter mechanism and prying the cable off the pin.






29. Remove the shift cable mounting bracket from the steering column. The shift cable mounting bracket is mounted to the steering column by the 2 mounting screws.






30. Remove the 2 air ducts from under the steering column.






31. Remove retaining pin in steering column coupler pinch bolt. Remove the pinch bolt from the steering column coupler. The pinch bolt nut is caged to coupler and is not removable. Separate the steering column flex coupler from steering intermediate shaft.






32. Remove the 2 steering column upper mounting bracket to support bracket nuts. Then loosen the 2 bolts attaching the steering column lower mounting bracket to support bracket.
33. Remove the steering column from the support bracket by pulling it rearward, then out of the car.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the steering column on the steering column support bracket. Loosely install the 2 steering column attaching nuts.
2. Loosely tighten the 2 steering column upper mounting nuts to hold the steering column in place. Center the steering column in place, side to side, then install the 2 lower mounting bolts. 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 fasteners to 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.), tightening the upper mounting nuts first, then the lower mounting bolts.
3. Assemble the intermediate steering shaft to the steering column flex coupler 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.
4. Install the 2 air ducts under the steering column.
5. If the vehicle is equipped with a floor shifter, install the shifter ignition interlock cable in the lock cylinder housing.
6. Install the shift cable mounting bracket on the steering column. The shift cable mounting bracket is mounted to the steering column by the 2 mounting screws.






7. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, first verify that the shift lever is locked in the park position. Then, install the shift cable on the shifter mechanism. The shift cable must be fully inserted onto the pin of the shifter mechanism.
8. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, install the brake transmission interlock solenoid on the shift lever mechanism. To do so, perform the following:






a. Align the flat inside the solenoid with the flat on the shift lever mounting stud.






b. Slide the solenoid completely onto the shift lever mounting stud aligning the plastic guide formed into the solenoid housing with the flange on the shift lever mechanism bracket.






c. Install the retainer clip until it snaps into place in the slot cut into the shift lever mounting stud.
d. Verify the solenoid is locked in place and will not slide off the mounting stud.
e. Connect the wiring harness connector to the solenoid.
9. Install the ignition switch on the steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws mounting the ignition switch to the steering column.






10. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever and if a new ignition shift interlock cassette has been installed, the interlock system must be adjusted. Adjust the interlock system by pushing in on the adjustment tab until it stops. The adjustment tab will click as it moves into position. Ensure the tab fully depressed.
11. Install the multi-function switch on the steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws mounting the multi-function switch to the steering column. Install the clockspring wiring harness on the routing clip on the top of the multi-function switch.
12. Clip the SKIM module over the key cylinder halo bezel and attach it to the steering column with its mounting screw. Connect the wiring harness to the module.
13. Install the clockspring on the steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws mounting the clockspring to the steering column.
14. Install the wiring harness connectors on the clockspring.
15. If removed, install the trim ring for the key cylinder on the lock cylinder housing.
16. Install the lower shroud on the steering column. Install and securely tighten the 2 screws attaching the lower shroud to the steering column.
17. Install the tilt lever on the steering column.
18. Install the upper shroud on the steering column by snapping it onto the lower shroud.

CAUTION: If any doubt is present as to whether the clockspring is properly centered, This 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 must be pointing at the drive pin.

19. Center the clock spring using the following procedure.
- Depress the plastic locking pin 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 will be pointing at the drive pin on clock spring rotor.
- 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.

20. Feed the clockspring wiring leads through the steering wheel. Position steering wheel on shaft of steering column, making sure the master serration in the wheel hub and on the steering column shaft line up.
21. Install steering wheel to steering column shaft retaining nut and tighten until the steering wheel is fully installed on the shaft. Tighten steering wheel retaining nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
22. Turn the key cylinder to the unlock position, unlocking the steering column shaft.
23. Connect the horn switch wiring lead from the clockspring to the airbag module horn switch wiring lead.
24. Install the airbag electrical lead into connector on back of airbag module. Insert connector locking into 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.

NOTE: Make sure steering wheel and airbag module are in the right-side-up position before installing airbag module on steering wheel.

25. Install the airbag module on steering wheel. Install only the 2 original or correct replacement airbag module attaching bolts. Torque the 2 airbag module attaching bolts to 8 Nm (75 inch lbs.).
26. Install the speed control switches in the steering wheel. Install and tighten the screws attaching the speed control switches to the steering wheel to 1.5 Nm (13 inch lbs.).
27. Install the diagnostic connector on the reinforcement.
28. Install the reinforcement on the instrument panel. Install the 4 bolts mounting the reinforcement to the instrument panel.
29. Install the parking brake release cable on the parking brake release handle in the lower instrument panel cover.
30. Install the wiring harness connector on the trunk release switch in the lower instrument panel cover.
31. Install the lower instrument panel cover.
32. Install the 2 screws behind the fuse panel cover attaching the lower instrument panel cover to the instrument panel.
33. Install the fuse panel cover on the left end of the instrument panel.

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

34. Using the following procedure, reconnect the remote ground cable on the shock tower ground stud.
- Connect DRB scan tool to diagnostic connector below the column.
- 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 there 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.
- If airbag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there is an airbag system malfunction. Refer to Testing and Inspection to diagnose the system malfunction.
35. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable, reset the radio and the clock.
36. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of the steering system and the speed control system.