Removal & Installation
- Before proceeding, follow air bag service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS in AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article. Place front wheels in straight-ahead position. Remove trim panel and support bracket from below steering column.
- Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Tilt steering wheel to its lowest position, and release tilt mechanism control cable from tilt lever (if equipped). Disconnect all electrical components of steering column and release wiring harness. Remove lock-pin from steering column coupler. Remove steering column mounting nuts, and remove steering column from vehicle.CAUTION: DO NOT allow steering shaft to rotate in steering column at any time, or clockspring damage may occur.WARNING: Never place steering column on floor or any other surface with steering wheel or air bag module facing down.
- Reach through lower steering column opening and disconnect 100-pin connector located near cowl side panel. Disconnect side window demister/defroster ducting from A/C-heater housing for driver's side window. Remove glove box assembly. Reach through glove box opening and disconnect temperature control cable from A/C-heater housing.
- Disconnect side window demister/defroster ducting for passenger's side window. Disconnect electrical and vacuum harness connectors. Disconnect passenger side air bag module connector. Disconnect antenna, radio connector and radio ground strap (if equipped).
- Remove 2 nuts securing lower air bag module bracket to studs of dash panel. See Fig 1 . Remove 3 screws from each end of instrument panel located near door hinge pillars. See Fig 2 . Using a trim stick, remove instrument panel top cover. Remove 4 nuts securing top of instrument panel to dash panel. With the aid of an assistant, remove instrument panel from vehicle.
- To install, reverse removal procedure. DO NOT connect negative battery cable at this time. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.