Steering Column Installation

1. Ensure ground clip is installed on left capsule slot of the steering column upper mounting bracket. The plastic capsules should be pre-assembled in the bracket slots prior to installing steering column.








2. Position steering column assembly on floor of vehicle. Install wiring harness trough on steering column. Note: Yellow (paint marked) connector mates to air bag clock spring connector. Connect vehicle wiring harness connectors to turn signal/ multi function switch, ignition switch, halo light and clock spring. Be sure to route wiring through clips on multi function switch and on side of clock spring. Be sure wiring is taut and free of interference with column shifter assembly actuator in low gear.





3. Install steering column assembly back on mounting bracket, by first sliding lower steering column bracket onto bolts in mounting bracket. Do not tighten mounting bolts at this time.





4. Raise steering column, until upper steering column bracket, is installed on studs in steering column mounting bracket. Install but do not tighten the 2 nuts attaching the steering column assembly to the mounting bracket.
5. Position steering column, so lower steering column mounting bracket is resting against the 2 lower steering column mounting bolts. This will determine for-and-aft position of steering column in vehicle. Temporarily install upper and lower steering column shrouds and the center instrument panel outlet bezel. Visually center steering column shrouds in instrument panel opening with steering column tilted full up. When centered, tighten upper and lower steering column assembly fasteners to hold the steering column in place. Then again remove the upper and lower steering column shrouds and the center instrument panel bezel.
6. Be sure both breakaway capsules are fully seated in the slots of the steering column upper support bracket. Then tighten the 2 upper steering column assembly to support bracket nuts and the 2 lower steering column assembly to mounting bracket bolts to a torque of 12 Nm (105 inch lbs.).





7. Install the steering column coupler onto the intermediate shaft. Install coupler bolt into steering coupler and torque bolt to 28 Nm (21 ft. lbs.). Be sure to install coupler retaining pin into coupler bolt.

CAUTION: When ignition key is turned to the run position, do not rotate steering column shaft. If steering shaft is turned, damage to the clock spring will occur.





8. If vehicle is equipped with a floor shifter, turn ignition key to the run position and install the shift interlock cable into steering column socket. Be sure locking tap on interlock cable is fully engaged with steering column socket.
9. If vehicle being serviced is equipped with a column shifter. A new interlock cassette must always be installed in the replacement steering column at the time of installation.
10. If vehicle is equipped with a column shifter. Correctly route shift cable to cable support bracket and install attaching clip. When installing clip, be sure clip is fully seated and cable support bracket does not get bent. Verify clearance to steering column jacket by tilting steering column. Then install shift cable on shift mechanism.





11. Install lower steering column assembly shroud on steering column. Install and securely tighten the 3 screws attaching lower shroud to steering column. Install tilt lever on steering column and securely tighten tilt lever attaching screw. Be careful! not to cross thread the tilt lever attaching screw.
12. Tilt steering column to the full down position. Then install upper steering column shroud on steering column.





13. Install and securely tighten the 3 screws attaching the upper shroud to the lower shroud.





14. Install the 2 under steering column heat and A/C ducts.
15. Install lower knee bolster panel back in the interior of the vehicle. Feed wiring for radio, A/C control, cigar lighter and ash receiver through center hole of bolster panel.





16. Install wiring harness connectors back on trunk release switch and glove box light.
17. Install lower knee bolster panel onto upper instrument panel. Ensure the 3 tabs on the knee bolster panel are installed into the 3 mating slots in the upper instrument panel.





18. Install but do not tighten, the 6 bolts (3 each side) attaching lower knee bolster panel to cowl panel. Bolts should be tight enough to correctly position knee bolster, but still allow for movement to align remaining attaching holes.





19. Install and securely tighten the 6 screws inside the glove box, attaching the lower knee bolster panel to the cowl.





20. Install and securely tighten the 2 nuts at rear of ash receiver, attaching the lower knee bolster panel to the floor pan support bracket.





21. Install the screw attaching the center of the lower knee bolster to the upper instrument panel.
22. Securely tighten the 6 bolts attaching lower knee bolster panel to vehicle cowl panel.
23. Connect vehicle wiring to the ash receiver light and the cigar lighter.





24. Install the center upper air outlet bezel, back on the upper instrument panel. If vehicle is equipped with traction control, connect wiring harness connector onto the traction control switch.





25. Install the radio and the heater A/C control, in the lower knee bolster. Then install and securely tighten the 5 screws attaching the radio and the heater A/C control to the knee bolster.





26. Install bezel surrounding the radio and the A/C heater control.





27. Install ash receiver.





28. Install the left and right lower cowl area trim panels. Then install and securely tighten all fasteners attaching trim panels to cowl.

CAUTION: Do not hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft during the installation of the steering wheel. Use steering wheel retaining nut to install steering wheel on steering column shaft.





29. Align master splines on steering wheel and steering column shaft. Then install steering wheel on steering column shaft routing wiring through steering wheel as shown. Install steering wheel to steering column retaining nut, tighten nut to draw steering wheel onto steering column shaft. Then tighten the steering wheel to steering column retaining nut to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).





30. Connect the vehicle wiring harness connectors to the air bag module.





31. Install air bag module into steering wheel, being sure no wiring is pinched. Then loosely install the 2 air bag module to steering wheel attaching bolts. Center air bag module to steering wheel spokes and tighten bolts to hold air bag module in place. Then tighten both air bag module attaching bolts to a torque of 10 Nm (8 ft. lbs.).
32. Connect speed control switches to vehicle wiring harness. Install speed control switches into steering wheel and install and securely tighten screws attaching each speed control switch to steering wheel. If vehicle is not equipped with speed control install the 2 speed control switch covers.





33. Install the 2 air bag fuses back in junction block. Refer to illustration for proper fuse locations.





34. Install instrument panel left and right end covers.
35. Connect the negative (ground) cable onto the negative post of the battery.
36. Check operation of all steering column operated components for their correct function. Then road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of steering column and speed control.