Steering Column Installation

1. Install steering column into steering column access opening in lower instrument panel.





2. Install the vehicle wiring harness connectors, into the ignition switch and clock spring assembly.





3. Install vehicle wiring harness connectors into multi-function switch and turn signal switch on steering column assembly. Install routing clip holding wiring harness to jacket of steering column.





4. Install the studs in the steering column support bracket, into the slots in the plastic capsules of the upper mounting bracket of the steering column. Partially install the 2 upper steering column assembly mounting bracket to support bracket attaching nuts. Do not tighten the 2 mounting nuts at this time.
5. Align the bolt holes in the steering column lower mounting bracket with the threaded holes in the body mounting bracket for the steering column. Install and loosely tighten the steering column lower mounting bracket bolts.





6. Install the upper and lower steering column shrouds onto the lock housing of the steering column assembly. Install and securely tighten the 3 upper to lower steering column shroud to lock housing attaching screws.
7. Be sure both breakaway capsules are still fully seated in the slots of the upper steering column mounting bracket. Equally tighten both steering column mounting nuts, until upper steering column mounting bracket is seated against support bracket. Then tighten the 2 steering column upper mounting bracket nuts to a torque of 17 Nm (150 inch lbs.).
8. Tighten the steering column lower mounting bracket nuts (2) to a torque of 17 Nm (150 inch lbs.).

Steering Column To Coupling Attachment:

9. Assemble the steering column flex coupler to the intermediate steering coupler. Install the steering coupler pinch bolt. Torque the pinch bolt nut to 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.). Be sure to install upper to lower steering coupler pinch bolt retaining pin.





10. Install the lower instrument panel steering column cover liner onto lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten the 3 liner to instrument panel attaching screws.





11. Install lower instrument panel steering column cover on lower instrument panel. Install and securely tighten the 4 screws attaching steering column cover, to lower instrument panel.

CAUTION: Clock spring centering procedure MUST be performed prior to installing steering wheel assembly. If clock spring is not centered it may be overextended, causing clock spring assembly to become inoperative.

12. 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 travel, rotate the rotor 2 full turns and an additional half turn in the counterclockwise direction. (The horn wire should end up at the top and the squib wire at the bottom.) 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.





13. Feed clock spring 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.
14. Install steering wheel to steering column shaft retaining nut and tighten until steering wheel is fully installed on shaft. The tighten steering wheel retaining nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).





15. Connect the clockspring electrical leads to components such as horn switches and speed control switches located in the steering wheel.





16. Install air bag electrical lead from clock spring, into connector on back of air bag module. Be sure electrical connector from clock-spring is securely latched into air bag module connector.

CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, originally used for the air bag components are specifically designed for the air bag 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 air bag module into center of steering wheel. Align air bag module mounting holes with bolt holes in steering wheel. Install only the 2 original or correct replacement air bag module attaching bolts. Torque the 2 air bag module attaching bolts to 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.).
18. Install key lock cylinder into lock housing. Key lock cylinder is installed by positioning key cylinder in the run position so retaining tab can be depressed and the pushing key cylinder into lock hosing until retaining tab locks into key lock cylinder.
19. Reconnect ground cable to Negative post of the battery. When reconnecting battery on a vehicle that has had the air bag module removed, the following procedure should be used.
- Remove forward console or cover as necessary.
- Connect DRB II 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 II. Install the latest version of the proper diagnostic cartridge into the DRB II.
- Ensuring that their are no occupants in the vehicle, connect negative cable to negative post of the battery.
- Using the DRB II read and record active fault codes. Also read and record any stored fault codes. Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts if any faults are found.
- 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 air bag lamp. It should go on for six to eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the air bag system is functioning normally.
20. If air bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there is an air bag system malfunction. Refer to Air Bags and Seat Belts.
21. Test the operation of the horn, lights and any other functions that are steering column operated. If applicable reset the radio and the clock.
22. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of the steering system and the speed control system.