Repair Procedure

1. Place the front wheels of vehicle in the straight ahead position.

2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.

CAUTION:
When an undeployed airbag is to be removed from the vehicle, first disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable. Allow the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge for two minutes before beginning any airbag system or component service. Personal injury may result if this procedure is not followed.

3. Remove the driver airbag mounting screws.

4. Lift the airbag from it's mount and disconnect the two airbag squib connectors and the horn connector.

5. Remove the driver's side airbag.

6. Disconnect the speed control wiring connector at the clockspring (center terminal).

7. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut.

8. Remove the damper.

9. Remove the steering wheel using, Miller Special Tool, C-3428-B Steering Wheel Puller, or equivalent.

10. Access and remove the knee blocker airbag. Refer to the service information available in TechCONNECT. Refer to 8 - Electrical/Restraints/Knee Blocker Airbag - Removal.

11. Remove the three screws fastening the lower shroud to the upper shroud and the column.

12. Using your hands, carefully press inward at seams between the shrouds at points where the inner locking tabs are located, unlocking the tabs.

13. Remove the upper, then the lower shroud.





14. Remove the column wiring harness routing clip from the left side of column (Fig. 1).





15. Remove the screw on the bottom of the column, then slide the multi-function switch housing (with switches and clockspring) off the column (Fig. 2).

NOTE:
When removing the clock spring, do not change the orientation of the clock spring inner wheel. If the orientation of the clock spring inner wheel is changed, the clock spring will have to be centered. Refer to the service information available in TechCONNECT. Refer to 8 - ElectricallRestraintslclockspring - Standard Procedure.








16. Evaluate the wave spring under the existing retainer. If the spring is fully compressed, replace the steering column (Fig. 3). If the spring is not fully compressed proceed to Step # 17 (Fig. 4).

WARNING:
The steering column retainer is spring loaded and could fly off the shaft during this repair. Safety glasses should be worn at all times.

17. With the ignition key removed, rotate the steering wheel until it locks (you may have to reinstall the steering wheel in order to rotate the steering shaft).





18. Remove the retainer from the shaft by hand if possible, or with pliers, or by placing a screwdriver underneath the retainer and prying upward (Fig. 5). If successful proceed to Step # 21. If not successful, continue with Step # 19.








19. Use a sharp 6.35 mm (0.25 in.) chisel to score the retainer as shown (Fig. 6). Be careful not to damage any of the surrounding components with the chisel. Only apply enough force to score the retainer. Do not attempt to break completely through the retainer with the chisel. Using excessive force will damage the bearings in the steering column (Fig. 7). Remove any material or particles that might fall into the bearing pocket.





21. Discard the old retainer and wave spring. Make sure the shaft is pulled upward (toward driver) as far as possible and the bearing wedge and washer are sitting tight inside of the bearing pocket. Place the new wave spring on the washer and place the retainer on the shaft as shown.

22. Check the steering column shaft threads by hand tightening the service kit bolt into shaft approximately 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) and then removing the bolt. If the bolt threads easily into the shaft proceed to Step # 23. If the bolt does not thread easily into the shaft you may have to re-tap the hole before proceeding (M10 x 1.5).

23. Place the press-on tool onto the shaft until it contacts the retainer.





24. Insert the washer, p/n 00120395, and the bolt, p/n 06502279, from the hardware package onto the steering column shaft. Hand tighten the bolt until the threads are fully engaged. Tighten the bolt down until the press-on tool bottoms out on the top of the steering column housing.

NOTE:
You may hear a clicking noise as the retainer is being pressed down onto the shaft, this is normal.

25. Remove the bolt and press-on tool. Inspect the retainer and spring. The spring should be centered under the retainer and fully compressed as shown (Fig. 3). If the spring is not centered under the retainer it may be pushed towards the shaft using a screwdriver (do not damage spring). If the spring needs adjusting, repeat Step # 24 to ensure the retainer is in the correct position.

26. Slide the multi-function switch mounting housing onto the column and install the mounting screw. Tighten the screw to 1.9 N.m (17 in.lbs.) (Fig. 1).

27. Install the column wiring harness routing clip into left side of the column (Fig. 1).

28. Install the lower and upper shrouds around the column:

a. Snap the shrouds together at the locking tab locations on both sides.

b. Install the center mounting screw securing the lower shroud to the column. Tighten the screw to 2 Nm (18 in.lbs.).

c. Install the two outer mounting screws securing the lower shroud to the upper shroud. Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (18 in.lbs.).

d. Inspect the shroud mating surfaces for excessive gaps and adjust as necessary.

29. Install the knee blocker airbag and all components that were removed to gain access to the knee blocker airbag. Refer to the service information available in TechCONNECT. Refer to 8 - Electrical/Restraints/Knee Blocker Airbag - Installation.

30. Match the splines on the steering wheel hub with those on the steering shaft and slide the steering wheel onto the column shaft.

31. Install the damper on the steering wheel.

32. Install the steering wheel retaining bolt. Tighten the bolt to 61 N.m (45 ft. lbs.).

33. Connect the speed control wiring connector at the clockspring.

34. Connect the two airbag squib connectors and the horn connector to the driver airbag.

35. Place the driver airbag on the steering wheel and install the mounting screws. Tighten the screws to 10 Nm (90 in. lbs.).

36. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery post following the special Diagnosis And Testing procedures outlined in TechCONNECT. Refer to 8 - Electrical/Restraints - Diagnosis And Testing.

37. Check the operation of all steering column mounted components.