Steering Column - Removal

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, Service Precautions

1. Place front wheels of vehicle in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.
2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (-) cable. Wait two minutes for the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge before beginning any steering column, instrument panel, or airbag system/component service.

WARNING: When an undeployed airbag is to be removed from the vehicle, first disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable. Allow the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge for two minutes before beginning any airbag system or component service. Personal injury may result if this procedure is not followed.





3. Remove driver airbag mounting screws (4).
4. Lift airbag (3) from mount and disconnect two airbag squib connectors (1, 2) and horn connector (5). Remove driver airbag.




5. Disconnect speed control wiring connector (2) at clockspring (3) (center terminal).




6. Remove steering wheel retaining bolt (5).
7. Remove damper (4).
8. Remove steering wheel (3) from steering column (1) using standard wheel puller.
9. Access and remove knee blocker airbag. Knee Blocker Airbag - Removal




10. Remove three screws (7) fastening lower shroud (6) to upper shroud (3) and column (1).
11. Using hands, gently press inward at seams between shrouds at points where inner locking tabs exist, unlocking tabs.
12. Remove upper (3), then lower (6) shroud.
13. Remove column wiring harness (8) routing clip (2) from left side of column.




14. Remove screw (2) on bottom of column, then slide multi-function switch housing (3) (with switches and clockspring) off column.




15. Disconnect steering column coupling at intermediate shaft. To do so:
a. Remove hair pin (7) at end of coupling pinch bolt.
b. Loosen nut and remove pinch bolt (8).
c. Remove intermediate shaft (1) from coupling.
16. Remove four nuts (5, 6) fastening steering column (4) to column mounting bracket (2). Remove steering column.