Steering Column - Removal and Installation

^ Tool Required:
- J 21854-01 Pivot Pin Remover
- J 23653 Plate Compressor
- J 1859-A Steering Wheel Puller
- J 42120 Steering Wheel Jaws
- Or Equivalents

NOTICE: Wheels of vehicle must be in a straight ahead position and key must be in the "LOCK" position when removing or installing steering column. Failure to do so may cause improper alignment of some components during installation resulting in column malfunction.

NOTICE: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections that keep the column rigid. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the column's collapsible design. If the steering wheel must be removed, use only specified steering wheel puller. Under no conditions should the end of the shaft be hammered upon as hammering could loosen plastic injections that keep the column rigid.

Important: If there is a possibility that the steering column may be partially collapsed, refer to "ACCIDENT DAMAGE" in TILT STEERING COLUMN UNIT REPAIR.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system.
2. Inflator module.
3. Steering wheel.
4. Upper and lower steering column covers (3 screws) and snap apart.
5. Tilt lever.
6. Headlamp switch and windshield wiper switch electrical connections (Multifunction lever).
7. Cruise control electrical connection and (Multifunction lever).
8. Instrument panel trim plate.
9. Instrument cluster.
10. Left lower sound insulator.
11. Un-route SIR coil wiring harness and cut plastic zip tie.
12. Position aside upper intermediate shaft boot.
13. Intermediate shaft upper pinch bolt.
14. Lower steering column bracket support bolts.
15. Loosen upper column bolts.
16. Spread lower steering column intermediate shaft joint apart using screwdriver.
17. Upper column bolts.
18. Steering column by rotating 45° counterclockwise when pulling out.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Steering column by rotating 45° clockwise when pushing in.
2. Upper column bolts.
3. Lower steering column bracket support bolts.
^ Upper column bracket support bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).
^ Lower steering column bracket support bolts 25 Nm (18 lb ft).
4. Upper steering column intermediate shaft joint.
5. Intermediate shaft upper pinch bolt.
^ Tighten intermediate shaft upper pinch bolt to 22 Nm (16 lb ft).
6. Position intermediate shaft upper boot.
7. Left lower sound insulator.
8. Route SIR coil wiring harness and replace with new plastic zip tie.
9. Instrument cluster.
10. Instrument panel trim plate.
11. Cruise control electrical connection (Multifunction lever).
12. Headlamp switch and windshield wiper switch electrical connections (Multifunction lever).
13. Tilt lever (if used).
14. Upper and lower steering column covers (3 screws) and snap together.
15. Steering wheel.
^ Tighten steering wheel nut to 41 Nm (30 lb ft).
16. Inflator module.
17. Enable the (SIR) system.