Steering System: Column: Removal: Removal

WARNING:

Before servicing the steering column the airbag system must be disarmed. Failure to do so may result in accidental deployment of the airbag and possible personal injury. Refer to AIR BAG, Driver, Removal .

CAUTION:

Steering column module is centered to the vehicles steering system. Failure to keep the system and steering column module centered and locked/inhibited from rotating can result in steering column module damage. Refer to CLOCKSPRING, Standard Procedure .

Fig 1: Shaft Retaining Nuts

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Position front wheels straight ahead.
Fully extend the telescoping column.
Disconnect and isolate the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Hoisting, Standard Procedure .
Remove the pinch bolt (4) connecting the upper intermediate shaft (3) to the lower intermediate shaft (5).
Separate the lower intermediate shaft (5) from the upper intermediate shaft (3).

Fig 2: Steering Coupling
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Remove the pinch bolt (1) from the lower intermediate shaft (2) at the steering gear (3).
Carefully separate the intermediate shaft (2) from the steering gear (3).
Remove the intermediate shaft (2) from the vehicle.

Fig 3: Pinch Bolt, Steering Wheel Electrical Connectors, Steering Wheel Bolt & Wheel Damper
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Lower the vehicle.
Remove the airbag. Refer to AIR BAG, Driver, Removal .
Disconnect steering wheel electrical connectors (2) and remove the steering wheel bolt (3).
Remove the steering wheel damper (4) and slide the steering wheel (5) off the steering column assembly.
Inhibit rotation of the steering column with adhesive tape/or strap.

Fig 4: End Cap
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Using a trim stick (special tool #C-4755, Trim Stick) or equivalent, gently pry between the end cap (1) and the instrument panel to release the snap retainers that secure the end cap.

Fig 5: Hood Release Handle
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Remove the hood release handle (2) from the knee blocker trim by pushing down then pulling out on the handle.

Fig 6: Two Side Screws, Lower Screw & Knee Blocker Trim
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Remove the two side screws (3) and the lower screw (1) securing the knee blocker trim (2) to the instrument panel.
Using a trim stick (special tool #C-4755, Trim Stick) or equivalent, partially remove the upper portion of the knee blocker trim (2) by gently prying between the knee blocker trim (2) and the instrument panel to release the upper snap retainers.Do not remove the knee blocker trim or pull with excessive force.
Remove the wood grain pieces of trim on either side of the column, if equipped.

Fig 7: Light Switch Harnesses
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Disconnect the light switch harnesses (1, 2 & 3) from the switch and finish removing the knee blocker trim.

Fig 8: LED Harness & Left Side Instrument Panel Silencers
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Disconnect the LED harness (1) and remove the left side instrument panel silencers (2, 3).
Remove the knee blocker air bag (if equipped). Refer to AIR BAG, Knee Blocker, Removal .
Remove the steering column module. Refer to MODULE, Steering Column, Removal .

Fig 9: Shaft Retaining Nuts
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Remove two intermediate shaft boot retaining nuts (1) at the bulkhead (2).

Fig 10: Front Two Column Mounting Bolts
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Disconnect electrical connectors for power tilt and telescope motors, if equipped.
Remove front two column mounting bolts (1).

Fig 11: Two Mounting Nuts
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Support the column and remove the two mounting nuts (1).
Remove column from the vehicle.