Steering Column: Service and Repair
REMOVAL- STEERING COLUMNNOTE: Before proceeding, review all WARNINGS and CAUTIONS.
1. Open hood and remove remote ground cable from ground stud on left front shock tower. Isolate ground cable from vehicle by installing cable isolator on ground stud (Fig. 2).
WARNING: WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG 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.
2. Wait for a minimum of 2 minutes before starting to remove air bag from steering wheel. This will allow the airbag system capacitor to de-energize.
3. Remove fuse panel cover from left end of instrument panel.
4. Remove center bezel surrounding radio and climate control panel.
5. Remove screw attaching bezel to instrument panel behind climate control panel. Remove bezel.
6. Remove outside mirror switch bezel from instrument panel.
7. Remove silencer panel below steering column knee bolster.
8. Remove screws attaching knee bolster to instrument panel.
9. Lower knee bolster and disconnect connectors from rear, then remove bolster.
10. Position front wheels of vehicle in the straight-ahead position.
11. Remove speed control switches (Fig. 3) from steering wheel. Speed control switches are mounted to steering wheel by screws (one screw, each switch) which are accessible from back side of steering wheel. Disconnect wire connector from each switch.
WARNING: WHEN HANDLING AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG DURING SERVICING OF THE STEERING COLUMN THESE 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 ACCIDENTALLY 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.
12. Remove 2 bolts attaching driver airbag to steering wheel (Fig. 4).
13. Lift driver airbag from steering wheel and disconnect electrical connectors from back of driver airbag (Fig. 5). Connectors are removed by compressing latches on sides of connectors and pulling them straight out of airbag. Do not twist the connectors when removing them from airbag.
14. Remove driver airbag.
15. If equipped with remote audio control switches, disconnect 4-way connector between clockspring and steering wheel wiring harness (Fig. 6).
NOTE: Before removing steering wheel, verify front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-ahead position.
16. Unscrew steering wheel retaining bolt (Fig. 7) almost all the way out (approximately 15 mm). Do not completely remove bolt.
CAUTION: When installing the wheel puller on the steering wheel, be sure puller bolts are hand threaded no more than 5 revolutions in the threaded holes of the steering wheel. Avoid contact between the bolts and the face of the clockspring, otherwise damage to the clockspring may result.
17. Install puller on steering wheel as shown (Fig. 8).
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
18. While holding steering wheel firmly in the straight-ahead position, loosen steering wheel from steering column shaft using wheel puller.
19. Remove puller from steering wheel, then remove steering wheel retaining bolt and steering wheel.
20. Remove 2 screws attaching upper and lower shrouds to steering column (Fig. 7). First remove upper shroud from steering column by pressing inward on upper shroud just above the parting line while pulling upper and lower shrouds apart. Next, release tilt lever and tilt steering column to its highest point. Then remove lower shroud from steering column.
21. Remove the 2 wiring harness connectors from the clockspring (Fig. 9).
22. Remove the 3 wiring harness connectors from the back of the ignition switch (Fig. 10).
23. If equipped, disconnect SKIM connector.
24. Remove the 2 wiring harness connectors from the multi-function switch (Fig. 10) (Fig. 11).
25. If vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, rotate the key cylinder to the ON position. Depress locking tab on shifter/ignition interlock cable (Fig. 12) and remove the cable from the key lock housing.
26. Under the instrument panel, disconnect the intermediate shaft from the steering gear shaft. To do so, remove the pinch bolt from the intermediate shaft coupler (Fig. 13), then slide the intermediate shaft up and off the steering gear shaft.
27. Remove the 2 upper steering column mounting bracket-to-support bracket nuts. Then remove the 2 lower steering column mounting bracket-to-support bracket nuts (Fig. 14).
28. Remove steering column and intermediate shaft from vehicle passenger compartment. Use care to avoid damaging column harness or interior trim.
29. If steering column is being replaced, perform the following:
a) Remove intermediate shaft.
b) Remove SKIM.
c) Remove halo ring from around key/lock cylinder.
d) Remove key cylinder.
e) Remove multi-function switch.
f) Remove ignition switch (if required).
INSTALLATION - STEERING COLUMN
1. If steering column is being replaced, perform following:
a) Install ignition switch (if required).
b) Install multi-function switch.
c) Install key cylinder.
d) Install halo ring from around key/lock cylinder.
e) Install SKIM.
f) Install intermediate shaft.
2. Install steering column on studs in steering column support bracket (Fig. 14). Loosely install 4 steering column assembly attaching nuts.
3. Tighten 2 lower steering column assembly mounting nuts to hold steering column in place. Be sure both break-away capsules are still fully seated in slots of upper steering column mounting bracket and mounting studs are centered fore-and-aft in plastic capsules. Then equally tighten both steering column mounting nuts, until upper steering column mounting bracket is seated against support bracket. Tighten 4 steering column bracket to support bracket nuts to 17 Nm (150 inch lbs.).
4. If a new steering column is being installed in vehicle, remove shipping (grenade) pin (if equipped) from steering column.
5. Ensure front wheels of vehicle are positioned straight-ahead, and steering wheel master serration in steering column shaft is positioned at 12 O'clock.
6. Under instrument panel, reconnect intermediate shaft to steering gear shaft. To do so, align flats and slide intermediate shaft onto steering gear shaft aligning pinch bolt hole with notch formed into steering gear shaft. Install a new pinch bolt in intermediate shaft coupler (Fig. 13), then tighten pinch bolt to a torque of 44 Nm (32 ft. lbs.).
7. If vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, install shifter/ignition interlock cable (Fig. 12) in lock cylinder housing.
8. If equipped, connect wiring connector to SKIM.
9. Install wiring harness connectors on back of ignition switch (Fig. 10).
10. Install 2 wiring harness connectors to multi-function switch (Fig. 10) (Fig. 11).
11. Install 2 wiring harness connectors to clockspring (Fig. 9).
12. Install upper and lower steering column shrouds onto lock housing of steering column. Install and securely tighten 2 upper to lower steering column shroud to lock housing attaching screws to 1.9 Nm (17 inch lbs.) (Fig. 7).
CAUTION: If any doubt is present as to whether clockspring is properly centered, this clockspring centering procedure MUST be performed prior to installing steering wheel. If clockspring is not centered it may be overextended, causing clockspring assembly to become inoperative. clockspring is centered when yellow centering indicator is present in centering window and arrow on label points at Drive Pin.
13. Center clockspring using following procedure.
a) Depress plastic locking pin to disengage clockspring locking mechanism.
b) Keeping locking mechanism disengaged, rotate clockspring rotor in CLOCKWISE direction to end of travel. Do not apply excessive torque.
c) From end of clockwise travel, slowly rotate rotor in COUNTERCLOCKWISE direction until yellow appears in centering window of clockspring. When yellow appears in centering window locking pin on clockspring rotor will be in front of arrow on clockspring label.
d) Release plastic locking pin to engage clock spring locking mechanism.
CAUTION: Do not install steering wheel by driving it onto shaft. Pull steering wheel down onto steering column shaft using ONLY steering wheel retaining bolt.
14. Feed clockspring wiring leads through steering wheel. Position steering wheel on shaft of steering column, making sure master serration in wheel hub and on steering column shaft line up.
15. Install steering wheel to steering column shaft with bolt and tighten until steering wheel is fully installed on shaft. Tighten steering wheel retaining bolt to a torque of 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
16. Turn key cylinder to unlock position.
17. If equipped with remote audio control switches, connect 4-way connector between clock spring and steering wheel wiring harness (Fig. 6). Store connection behind tab in steering wheel housing.
18. Connect horn switch wiring connector from clockspring to airbag connector (Fig. 5).
19. Install airbag electrical connectors to connectors on rear of driver airbag (Fig. 5). Be sure electrical connector from clockspring is securely latched into airbag connector.
CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, originally used for airbag components are specifically designed for 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 parts book.
NOTE: Make sure steering wheel and airbag module are in right-side-up position before installing airbag module on steering wheel.
20. Install airbag module on steering wheel. Install only two original or correct replacement airbag module attaching bolts (Fig. 4). Tighten two airbag module attaching bolts to a torque of 9.6 Nm (85 inch lbs.).
21. Connect speed control wiring leads to speed control switches.
22. Install speed control switches in steering wheel (Fig. 3). Install screws attaching speed control switches to steering wheel. Tighten screws to a torque of 1.4 Nm (12 inch lbs.).
23. Install lower instrument panel knee bolster onto lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten knee bolster to instrument panel attaching screws.
24. Install mirror switch bezel.
25. Install fuse panel cover on left end of instrument panel.
26. Install inboard switch bezel. Install mounting screw.
27. Install center bezel surrounding radio and climate control panel from top cover of instrument panel.
28. Install silencer panel below steering column knee bolster.
CAUTION: When reconnecting battery on a vehicle that has had air bag module removed, ensure no occupants are in vehicle and following procedure is used.
29. Reconnect negative cable to battery using steps listed.
a) Connect DRBIII scan tool to diagnostic datalink connector.
b) Turn ignition key to ON position. Exit vehicle with DRB scan tool.
c) Ensuring that their are no occupants in vehicle, connect negative cable to negative post of battery.
d) Using DRBIII scan tool, read and record active fault codes. Also read and record any stored fault codes. Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic Information if any faults are found.
e) Erase stored faults if there are no active fault codes. If problems remain, fault codes will not erase.
f) Reaching through drivers window, between steering wheel and instrument cluster, turn ignition key to OFF and then ON observing instrument cluster airbag indicator. It should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that air bag system is functioning normally.
30. If airbag warning indicator fails to light, blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there is an air bag system malfunction. Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic Information to diagnose any system malfunction.
31. Test operation of horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable reset radio and clock.
32. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of steering system and speed control system.