Removal Procedure
CAUTION:
Refer to SIR CAUTION
.
NOTE:
Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.
NOTE:
The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
- Disable the SIR system. Refer to DISABLING SYSTEM .
- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
- Remove the knee bolster. Refer to KNEE BOLSTER REPLACEMENT .
- Remove the range selector cable from the steering column (column shift only). Refer to SHIFT CABLE (COLUMN SHIFT) or SHIFT CABLE (FLOOR SHIFT) .
- Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640 .
- Loosen the steering column bulkhead connector center screw and disconnect the steering column bulkhead connector.
- Remove the steering column to steering column toe plate retaining nuts.
- Remove the steering column to steering column upper support bracket retaining nuts.
- Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
- Remove the steering column upper intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.