Column Service

When servicing collapsible steering columns, care should be exercised since they are extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping of or leaning on column or striking sharp blows on end of steering shaft or shift levers could loosen or shear plastic fasteners which maintain column rigidity. It is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used during the mandatory reassembly sequence and torqued to specifications to insure proper breakaway action of column under impact. Avoid using excessively long bolts as they may prevent a portion of the steering column from collapsing under impact. When removing or installing, steering wheel, ignition switch or lock, turn signal switch, adjusting transmission linkage, or installing and adjusting neutral-start or back-up light switch, refer to appropriate car chapter. If a shift tube shows a sheared plastic injection, a new shift tube must be installed. If a steering shaft shows a sheared plastic, or if the steering column has been collapsed a complete new column must be installed. On some models, the attaching brackets will shear under impact and must also be replaced.

Fig. 19 Steering Column Installation:

Refer to Fig. 19 for steering column component identification.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove two lap duct register panel retaining screws.
3. Remove three lap duct-to-brace retaining screws, then the lap duct and brace.
4. Remove five combination switch lower cover retaining screws.
5. Remove lower steering column attaching nuts.
6. Remove lower steering column U-joint mounting bolt.
7. Remove four upper steering column retaining bolts, then lower the steering column.
8. Disconnect five wiring harness plugs from steering column and remove steering column from vehicle.
9. Reverse procedure to install.