Removal Procedure
- Disable the SIR system. SIR Disabling and Enabling
- The steering column
- The intermediate shaft (s)
- The steering gear
- Install an appropriate device to prevent the steering column from rotating.
- Extend the steering column to its furthest point to allow the instrument panel steering column upper trim cover to clear the instrument panel.
Pull the left side and right side windshield garnish molding (1) rearwards to release the tether from the A pillar.
- Access the left side and right side windshield garnish bolt (2) which is located on the backside of the windshield garnish molding (1) and secures the tether to the A pillar.
- Windshield Garnish Molding Bolt - Left Side and Right Side (2) - Remove [2x]
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.
- Windshield Garnish Molding - Left Side and Right Side (1) - Remove [2x]
Release the clips with a suitable tool.
- Radio Front Speaker Grille - Left Side and Right Side (1) - Remove [2x]
Radio Front Speaker Bolt - Left Side and Right Side (1) - Remove [4x]
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.
- Radio Front Speaker - Left Side and Right Side (2) - Remove [2x]
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Extension (1) - Remove
- Disconnect the electrical connector.
Radio Front Center Speaker Grille (1) - Remove
Radio Front Center Speaker Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
- Disconnect the electrical connector.
- Radio Front Center Speaker (2) - Remove
Instrument Panel Upper Trim Pad Bolt (1) - Remove [5x]
- Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- { If equipped } Disconnect the electrical connector.
- Instrument Panel Instrument Cluster Hood (2) - Remove
Front Floor Console (1) - Remove - Front Floor Console Removal and Installation
Radio Control Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Radio Control (2) - Remove
- Disconnect the electrical connector.
Instrument Panel Upper Trim Panel Bolt (1) - Remove [10x]
- Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Upper Trim Panel Bracket (2) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Trim Pad - Left Side (1) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Trim Plate Applique - Left Side (1) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Center Trim Pad (1) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Trim Plate Applique - Right Side (1) - Remove
- Disconnect the electrical connectors.
Instrument Cluster Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
- Release the clips with a suitable tool.
- Disconnect the electrical connector.
- Instrument Panel Cluster Control Module (2) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Outer Trim Cover - Left Side (1) - Remove
Instrument Panel Air Outlet Bezel Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Instrument Panel Air Outlet Bezel - Left Side (2) - Remove
Unclip the instrument panel steering column upper trim cover from the instrument panel steering column lower trim cover.
- Instrument Panel Cluster Trim Plate Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Cluster Trim Plate (2) - Remove
Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Outer Trim Cover - Right Side (1) - Remove
Instrument Panel Air Outlet Bezel Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Instrument Panel Air Outlet Bezel - Right Side (2) - Remove
- NOTE:
Quantity of retainers may vary based on option content.
Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator Retainer (1) - Remove [4x]
- Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator - Left Side (2) - Remove
Data Link Connector Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
- Data Link Connector (2) - Reposition
- Hood Primary Latch Release Cable Handle (3) - Remove
Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
- Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Knee Bolster (2) - Remove
Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator Retainer (1) - Remove [3x]
- Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator - Right Side (2) - Remove
Instrument Panel Compartment Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
Instrument Panel Compartment Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Using a flat - bladed plastic trim tool, release the retaining clips.
- Instrument Panel Compartment (2) - Remove
Instrument Panel Trim Pad Bolt (1) - Remove [8x]
Instrument Panel Trim Pad Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
- Instrument Panel Lower Center Trim Panel (2) - Remove
Disconnect the electrical connector
- Dimmer Switch (1) - Remove
Turn the steering wheel approximately 90 degrees to the left of the centered position.
- Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Bolt (1) - Remove
Turn the steering wheel approximately 90 degrees to the right of the centered position.
- Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Bolt (1) - Remove
Turn the steering wheel to the centered position.
- Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Bolt (1) - Remove
- Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover (2) - Remove
Intermediate Steering Shaft Upper Bolt (1) - Remove
- NOTE:
Place match marks on the steering column shaft and the intermediate steering shaft to aid in installation.
Intermediate Steering Shaft (1) @ Steering Column - Separate
- Disconnect the electrical connector and release the wiring harness retainers as necessary.
- NOTE:
Support the steering column while removing the steering column nuts.
Steering Column Nut (1) - Remove [4x]
- CAUTION:
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.
Remove the steering wheel and steering column as an assembly (1).
Instrument Panel Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
Instrument Panel Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
Instrument Panel Bolt (1) - Remove [5x]
- Instrument Panel Center Air Outlet Duct Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
Disconnect the electrical connector.
- Instrument Panel Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
- Instrument Panel Airbag Bolt (2) - Remove
Windshield Defroster Outlet Duct Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
Disconnect the electrical connectors and detach the wiring harness as necessary.
- Instrument Panel (1) - Remove
- With the aid of an assistant, place the instrument panel (1) in a suitable work area on a clean shop cloth.
Instrument Panel Airbag Nut (1) - Remove [6x]
- Instrument Panel Airbag (2) - Remove
Using a suitable plastic trim tool, release the retaining tabs.
- Ignition and Start Switch (1) - Remove
With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti - rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has become un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re - center SIR Coil.
Tether and Bolt are integral to the Windshield Garnish Molding.