Service Procedure

1. Place the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.





2. Remove the upper to lower steering coupler pinch bolt retaining pin and pinch bolt (Figure 1) and then separate the upper and lower steering couplers.

CAUTION:
DO NOT turn the steering wheel after the couplers have been separated or damage to the air bag clockspring may result.

3. Remove and discard the dash cover to lower coupler seal (Figure 1).

4. Remove the four (4) dash cover screws and then remove the dash cover.

NOTE:
Remove the two (2) accelerator pedal nuts from the underside of the dash for greater access to the inboard screws, if necessary.

5. Pull the lower coupler dust boot off of the steering gear housing and then remove it through the dash panel opening.

6. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.





7. Remove the lower coupler to steering gear roll pin (Figure 2).

NOTE:
The roll pin may be removed and installed either by tapping it out and in using Miller Special Tool # 6372-1 and a hammer, or by pressing it out and in using Miller Special Tool # 6831A.

8. Remove and discard the lower steering coupler.

9. Slide the old lower coupler dust boot onto the bottom of the new lower steering coupler.

10. Install the new lower steering coupler on the steering gear.

11. Install the provided lower coupler to steering gear roll pin using either Miller Special Tool # 6371-2 or # 6831A (Figure 2).

12. Slide the lower coupler dust boot down onto the steering gear housing.

13. Lower the vehicle.

14. Reinstall the dash cover. Tighten the four (4) screws to 17 in-lbs (2 N.m).

NOTE:
Remove the two (2) accelerator pedal nuts from the underside of the dash for greater access to the inboard screws, if necessary. Make sure that the J-nuts are aligned with the holes in the body before installing the screws.





15. Install the provided lower coupler seal. Make sure that the top of the seal is around the lower coupler plastic collar and the bottom is seated on the dash cover (Figure 3).

16. Connect the lower coupler to the upper steering coupler. Tighten the pinch bolt to 250 in-lbs (28 N.m) and then install the pinch bolt retaining pin (Figure 1).

NOTE:
Be sure that the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position and the dimpled side of the lower coupler shaft aligns with the open (bolt) side of the upper coupler (Figure 3) or damage to the air bag clockspring may result.

17. Raise the vehicle on the hoist.

18. Install the accelerator pedal nuts on the underside of the dash if previously removed.

19. Make sure that the lower coupler dust boot is seated on the steering gear and on the dash cover.

20. Lower the vehicle.