Steering Column - Removal
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, review Warnings and Cautions. Service Precautions.
WARNING: When an undeployed airbag module is to be removed from the steering wheel, first disconnect the battery ground cable and isolate it. Allow the system capacitor to discharge for a minimum of two minutes, then begin the airbag removal.
1. Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery and isolate it.
2. Remove lower instrument panel steering column cover. Steering Column Opening Cover - Removal
3. Remove three screws securing driver airbag (1) to steering wheel (5).
4. Tip driver airbag (1) outward, then disconnect two squib wiring connectors (6) and horn wiring connector (2). Remove driver airbag.
5. Remove squib wiring routing clips (3, 4) from steering wheel.
6. Place front wheels of vehicle in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.
7. Remove ignition key from ignition key cylinder.
8. Holding steering wheel (1) firmly in place, remove steering wheel retaining bolt from steering column (3) shaft in center of steering wheel.
CAUTION: When installing a wheel puller on the steering wheel, be sure the puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes on the steering wheel. If the bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, the threads may be stripped out of the steering wheel when attempting to remove the steering wheel. Take care not to over-thread the puller bolts such that they contact the clockspring possibly damaging it.
Also, threading the retaining bolt back in the end of the shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt allows a safe reaction surface for the puller to work against.
9. Thread wheel retaining bolt back into end of steering shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between wheel and head of bolt.
10. Install steering wheel puller on steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
11. While holding steering wheel firmly in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position, remove steering wheel from steering column shaft using puller. Remove puller, wheel retaining bolt and steering wheel.
12. Remove two screws attaching lower shroud (8) to steering column (3) and upper shroud (4). After removing screws, unclip the shrouds from one another by applying hand pressure along seams where shrouds connect, then remove lower shroud from upper shroud and column.
13. Remove upper shroud (4) from steering column.
14. At base of steering column (3), remove intermediate shaft extension (5) pinch bolt. Separate the intermediate shaft extension from the steering column shaft.
NOTE: If same steering column is to be reinstalled, clamp tilt lever to lock column in place so that it can be easily reinstalled in same location.
15. Remove two lower mounting nuts attaching steering column to instrument panel.
16. Remove two upper mounting nuts attaching steering column to instrument panel.
17. Disconnect wiring harness electrical connector (3) from clockspring (2).
18. Disconnect wiring connector from ignition cylinder halo lamp.
19. Disconnect wiring harness electrical connectors (1, 2, 3) from multi-function switch, windshield wiper switch, and ignition switch.
20. Remove steering column from vehicle.
NOTE: If steering column is being replaced, perform following steps:
21. Remove ignition key cylinder from steering column. To do this, insert key (1) and turn ignition key cylinder to ON position. Next, depress retaining tab (2) and remove Ignition key cylinder by pulling key and cylinder straight out of column together.
22. Disengage latch hooks (2) on back of clockspring by lifting clockspring (1) slightly to clear column housing with top latch hook. Next, lower clockspring slightly to do same for lower latch hook. Remove clockspring from column.
23. Remove two screws (1) securing multi-function/windshield wiper switch (2) to steering column. Pull switch straight away from column to remove it.
24. Remove halo lamp from the column by unclipping it from ignition cylinder housing.
25. If necessary, remove ignition switch (2) from steering column by first removing mounting screw (1). Once mounting screw is removed, pull switch straight out away from column ignition cylinder housing.