Removal and Installation

Steering Column

Ensure that vehicle front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.


Removal

NOTE: All steering column components are assembled with fasteners. They are designed with a thread locking system to prevent loosening due to vibrations associated with normal vehicle operation.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable and air bag backup power supply.

2. Remove steering wheel.

3. Remove RH and LH lower mouldings from instrument panel by pulling up and snapping out of retainers.

4. Remove instrument panel lower trim cover.

5. Remove air bag clockspring contact assembly as outlined.

6. Remove tilt lever by unscrewing it from column.

7. Rotate ignition lock cylinder to RUN position. Using a 1/8-inch drift, depress lock cylinder retaining pin through access hole and remove lock cylinder.

8. Remove four retaining screws from lower shroud and remove column shrouds.







9. Remove two instrument panel reinforcement brace retaining bolts. Remove reinforcement.






10. Disconnect PRND2I cable from actuator housing by removing one screw (column shift only).






11. Disconnect PRND21 cable loop from shift tube hook (column shift only).

12. Remove two interlock cable retaining screws and remove cable (console shift only).

13. Remove two multi-function switch retaining screws and set multi-function switch aside.






14. Remove pinch bolt from steering shaft flex coupling.

15. Disconnect shift cable from selector lever pivot.

16. Remove shift cable and bracket from lower column mounting.

17. Remove column skid plate.

18. While supporting column assembly, remove four column assembly retaining nuts. Lower column and disconnect vacuum hoses at parking brake release switch or remove vacuum release assembly.

19. Remove column from vehicle.






Installation

1. Align column lower universal joint to lower shaft. Install one bolt and tighten to 40-56 N.m (29-41 lb-ft).

2. Connect parking brake release vacuum hoses.

3. Support column assembly to column support bracket. Install four retaining nuts and tighten to 13-19 N.m (10-14 lb-if).

4. Position shift cable bracket (with shift cable attached) to lower two screws of column. Tighten to 7-11 N.m (5-8 lb-ft).

5. Snap shift cable onto shift selector pivot ball.

6. Position interlock cable end install two retaining screws (automatic console shift).

7. Position multi-function switch and install two retaining screws. Tighten to 2-3 N.m (18-26 lb-in).

8. Connect all electrical connectors.

9. Attach PRND21 cable loop on shift selector hook, and install PRND21 cable bracket to actuator housing. Install retaining screw and tighten to 7-11 N.m (5-8 lb-ft) (column shift only).

10. Install steering column skid plate and retaining nuts. Tighten nuts to 20.3-33.9 N.m (15-25 lb-ft).

11. Install upper and lower column shrouds.

12. Install instrument panel reinforcement brace and secure with two retaining bolts. Tighten to specification.

13. Install lower instrument panel cover.

14. Snap RH and LH lower instrument panel mouldings into place.

15. Install lock cylinder assembly.

16. Install tilt lever into column.

17. Install air bag clockspring contadt assembly screws. Tighten to 2-3 Nm (18-26 lb-in).

18. Install steering wheel onto column shaft. Install a new bolt and tighten to 31-48 N.m (23-33 lb-ft).

19. Position air bag module to wheel. Install four retaining nuts. Tighten to 4-6 N.m (3-4 lb-ft).

20. Connect battery ground cable and air bag backup power supply.

21. Verify air bag warning indicator.