Disassembly

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Note: All fasteners are important in that they can affect the performance of vital parts and systems, or can result in major repair expenses. New fasteners with the same part number must be installed if necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during assembly to make sure these parts function correctly.

The body of the steering column is made of a magnesium die casting. The steering column is attached to a support that is an integral part of the instrument panel. The lower attachments of the steering column are through a bracket that bends during collapse. The upper attachments are through plastic shear modules that separate from the main casting during collapse. A clip and washer are attached to the shear modules to reduce steering column shake and to assist in installation of the steering column.

Special Tools:

Disassembly
WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Do not set a live air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling an air bag module.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: Air bag modules with discolored or damaged trim covers must be replaced, not repainted.

WARNING: Vehicle sensor orientation is critical for proper system operation. If a vehicle equipped with an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is involved in a collision, inspect the sensor mounting bracket and wiring pigtail for deformation. Replace and properly position the sensor or any other damaged supplemental restraint system (SRS) components whether or not the air bag is deployed.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side air bag sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

1. Remove the steering column.





2. Unclip the steering column opening gearshift lever seal from the steering column.





3. Remove the gearshift lever retaining pin and remove the gearshift lever assembly.





4. CAUTION: Carefully note the position of the steering column lock gear, bearing and retainer prior to removal.

Remove the snap ring.




5. Remove the steering column lock housing bearing (3E700).





6. Remove the steering column lock gear.





7. On a fixed steering column, remove the snap ring from the bottom of the steering column shaft.





8. On a tilt steering column, remove the sensor ring.
1. Remove the steering column lower bearing spring.
2. Remove the sensor ring.





9. Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring from the steering column shaft.




10. Remove the two lock cylinder housing pivot screws.





11. WARNING: The steering column position spring is under tension and can come out with great force.

Remove the steering column lock cylinder housing and the steering column shaft from the steering actuator housing.
1. Pry up on the steering column locking levers using a shop fabricated tool.
2. On tilt steering columns, remove the steering column position spring (3D655).





12. Using a flat-blade screwdriver pry up on the flush surface of the turn indicator cancel cam and remove.





13. Remove the snap ring.





14. Remove the steering column upper bearing spring.





15. Remove the steering column bearing sleeve.





16. Remove the steering column bearing tolerance ring.
1. Slide the steering column shaft in toward the steering column lock cylinder housing.
2. Slide the steering column bearing tolerance ring from the steering column shaft and remove the shaft.





17. Using a suitable punch, remove the steering column upper bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.





18. On a tilt steering column, use a suitable punch to remove the steering column lower bearing from the steering column lock cylinder housing.





19. Remove the two screws and remove the plastic harness retainer.





20. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid and the transmission shift position insert.
1. Remove the three bolts.
2. Remove the brake shift interlock solenoid and the transmission shift position insert.





21. Remove the shift tube.
1. Remove the four bolts.
2. Remove the two shift tube clamps.
3. Remove the shift tube.





22. Remove the transmission shift arm assembly.
1. Remove the two bolts.
2. Remove the transmission shift arm assembly.





23. Remove the spring.





24. Drive out the gearshift lever pin (7W441) from the shift tube.





25. Remove the gearshift lever (7210).





26. Remove the column shift selector lever plunger (7361).
- If it is bent, replace the column shift selector lever plunger.





27. Remove the two gearshift lever socket bushings and the transmission control selector lever spring clip.





28. Remove the steering column lock pawl.
1. Drive out the steering column lock lever pin.
2. Remove the steering column lock pawl.





29. Remove the ignition switch.
1. Remove the screws.
2. Remove the ignition switch.





30. Remove the steering column lower bearing and sleeve.





31. Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the steering column lower bearing retainer.





32. Remove the steering column upper and lower lock actuator.