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Steering Wheel: Service and Repair

STEERING WHEEL

REMOVAL

WARNING: DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. THIS WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR 2 MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING ANY AIRBAG COMPONENTS.

1. Adjust the steering wheel so that the tires are in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.

NOTE: The steering column on vehicles with an automatic transmission may not be equipped with an internal locking shaft that allows the ignition key cylinder to be locked with the key. Alternative methods of locking the steering wheel for service will have to be used.

2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.





3. Remove the two mounting screws, one on each side of steering wheel, attaching the driver airbag to the steering wheel (Fig. 34).
4. Lay the driver airbag back away from the center of the steering wheel (Fig. 34). Disconnect the airbag squib and horn switch wiring connectors from the rear of the airbag. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
5. If equipped with speed control, disconnect the wiring connector from the speed control switch (Fig. 34).





6. Holding the steering wheel firmly in place, remove the steering wheel retaining screw from the steering column shaft (Fig. 35).

CAUTION: When installing a wheel puller on the steering wheel, be sure the puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes on the steering wheel. If the bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, the threads may be stripped out of the steering wheel when attempting to remove the steering wheel. Also, thread the retaining nut back on the end of the shaft until it is flush with the shaft end to avoid damage to the shaft threads by the wheel puller.

7. Install a steering wheel puller on the steering wheel.

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

8. While holding the steering wheel firmly in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position, remove steering wheel from the steering column shaft using the puller. While removing the steering wheel, take care to feed the wires gently through the holes in the steering wheel.
9. If equipped with speed control, remove the speed control switch.

INSTALLATION

WARNING: DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION PROCEDURE. THIS WILL DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Confirm that:
a. The front wheels are positioned straight ahead.
b. The turn signal stalk is in the neutral position.
2. If equipped with speed control, install the speed control switch on the steering wheel.

CAUTION: Do not install the steering wheel onto the shaft of the steering column by driving it onto the shaft.

3. Feed the clockspring wiring leads through the hole in the steering wheel (Fig. 35). Align the steering wheel's wide mounting spline with the steering column shaft missing spline area and push the wheel onto the shaft. Make sure the clockspring squares up with the back of the wheel and does not bind.
4. Install the steering wheel retaining screw and tighten it until the steering wheel is fully installed on shaft (Fig. 35). Tighten the retaining screw to a torque of 54.2 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
5. If equipped with speed control, connect the wiring lead from the clockspring to the speed control switch on the steering wheel (Fig. 34).
6. Position the driver airbag near the steering wheel (Fig. 34). Connect the horn switch wiring lead to the connector on the back of the airbag.
7. Install the airbag squib wiring lead from the clockspring into the connector on the back of the driver airbag (Fig. 34). Be sure the wiring connector is securely latched into the airbag connector.

CAUTION: The fasteners 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 it with only the correct fastener listed in the parts book.

8. Install the driver airbag into the center of the steering wheel. Align the airbag mounting holes with the bolt holes in the steering wheel (Fig. 34). Install only the two original or identical replacement airbag module mounting screws. Tighten the two driver airbag attaching bolts to a torque of 10 Nm (90 inch lbs.).

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE AT THIS TIME. REFER TO ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING AIRBAG SYSTEM FIRST.
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