Steering Column Replacement

Steering Column Replacement

^ Tools Required
^ J 42640 Steering Column Lock Pin

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in Service Precautions.

Notice: 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.

Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.





1. Disable the SIR system.
2. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640.
3. Remove the knee bolster deflector.
4. Remove the transfer case electronic control module.





5. Disconnect the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct (3) and move out of the way.
6. Remove the transfer case electronic control module bracket bolts and lower bracket out of the way.
7. Disconnect the steering column electrical connector.
8. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the back of the fuse block.





9. Remove the intermediate shaft bolt from the steering column.





10. Remove the steering column mounting nuts.
11. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the steering column to the vehicle and connect the column to the intermediate shaft.

2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Install the steering column mounting nuts.
^ Tighten the nuts to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).





3. Install the intermediate shaft bolt to the steering column.
^ Tighten the bolt to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).
4. Connect the wiring harness connector to the back of the fuse block.
5. Connect the steering column electrical connector to the body wiring harness.
6. Reposition the transfer case electronic control module bracket and install the bolts.
^ Tighten the bolts to 2 Nm (18 inch lbs.).
7. Install the transfer case electronic control module.





8. Connect the HVAC duct (3).
9. Install the knee bolster deflector.





10. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the lower trim cover access hole.
11. Enable the SIR system.