Steering Column Cover: Service and Repair

STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the fuse cover from the junction block (JB) and body control module (BCM) unit under the driver side outboard end of the instrument panel.
3. Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument panel.

Fig. 22:

4. Remove the one screw that secures the outboard end of the steering column opening cover to the u-nut on the outboard end of the instrument panel top pad (Fig. 22).
5. Remove the two screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the u-nuts on the instrument panel steering column support bracket.
6. Pull the steering column opening cover rearward to disengage the three snap clips (one outboard and two inboard) that secure it to the receptacles in the instrument panel.
7. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

1. Position the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel (Fig. 22).
2. Align the three snap clips on the steering column opening cover with their receptacles in the instrument panel.
3. Using hand pressure, press firmly and evenly on the steering column opening cover over the snap clip locations until each of the snap clips is fully engaged in its receptacle.
4. Install the two screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel steering column support bracket.
5. Install the one screw that secures the outboard end of the steering column opening cover to the u-nut on the outboard end of the instrument panel top pad.
6. Install the cluster bezel onto the instrument panel.
7. Install the fuse cover onto the junction block (JB) and body control module (BCM) unit under the driver side outboard end of the instrument panel.
8. Connect the battery negative cable.