Steering Column Removal/Installation

Steering Column Removal and Installation

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations Locations, and the precautions and procedures Service and Repair before doing repairs or service.

Removal

NOTICE
Be careful not to pull the bracket (A) on the front side of steering column out of its normal position.
If the bracket accidentally comes out, replace the steering column as an assembly.

1. Do the 12 volt battery terminal disconnection procedure Procedures.

2. Tilt the steering column to the center position.

3. Remove the driver's airbag Driver's Airbag Replacement and the steering wheel Steering Wheel Removal.

4. Remove the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal / Installation.

5. Remove the steering joint cover (A).






6. Hold the lower slide shaft (A) on the column with a piece of wire (B) between the joint yoke (C) of the lower slide shaft and joint yoke (D) of the upper shaft to prevent the lower slide shaft from pulling out.






7. Remove the steering joint bolt (A).






8. Disconnect the steering joint (A) by sliding the steering joint into the column.

NOTE:

- If the center guide (B) is in place and has not moved, leave it in place.
- If the center guide has moved or been removed, discard it.





9. Remove the column covers Service and Repair.

10. Disconnect the connectors from the ignition switch, and release the wire harness clips (A) from the steering column.





11. Disconnect the wire harness connectors from the combination switch assembly/cable reel (B).

12. Remove the combination switch assembly/cable reel from the steering column shaft by removing the three screws (C).

13. Make sure that the lock lever is in the locked position. Remove the steering column (D) by removing the attaching nuts and bolts. If the lower slide shaft (E) is removed, slip it into the upper shaft (F) by aligning the paint or stamped marks (G).

NOTE: Do not release the lock lever until the steering column is installed. If the lock lever is released before installation, adjust the steering column after installation.

Installation

1. Install the steering column in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

- Tighten the steering column mounting bolts to the specified torque first, then tighten the nuts.
- Make sure the wires are not caught or pinched by any parts.
- Take care not to let the sliding capsules fall out of position during column installation.
- Tighten the three screws (A) in the sequence shown.





2. Center the steering rack within its stroke.

3. Cut the wire holding the lower slide shaft.

4. Slip the lower end of the steering joint (A) onto the pinion shaft (B).

NOTE:

- Pinion shaft with center guide: Install the steering joint by aligning the center guide (C).
- Pinion shaft without center guide: Position the steering column by aligning the gap (D) with the angle.





5. Align the bolt hole (A) on the steering joint with the groove (B) around the pinion shaft, then loosely install the lower steering joint bolt (C). Be sure that the joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.





6. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the steering joint is fully seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt to the specified torque.

7. Install the steering joint cover (A).






8. Install the driver's dashboard undercover Driver's Dashboard Undercover Removal / Installation.

9. Install the steering wheel Steering Wheel Installation and the driver's airbag.

10. Do the 12 volt battery terminal reconnection procedure, and check these items:

- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and check that the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds and then goes off.
- Make sure the horn and turn signal switches work properly.
- Make sure the steering wheel switches work properly.

11. After installation, check these items:

- Check the steering wheel spoke angle. If the steering spoke angles to the right and left are not equal (steering wheel and rack are not centered), correct the engagement of the joint/pinion shaft splines.
- Set the steering column to the center tilt position, then do the front toe inspection.