Removal Procedure

CAUTION: Refer to SIR CAUTION in Cautions and Notices.

Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to ZONE 3 in SIR.
Remove the knee bolster. Refer to KNEE BOLSTER REPLACEMENT in Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.
NOTE: 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.
Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower trim cover using J 42640 .

Fig 1: Locking Steering Column Through Access Hole In Lower Trim Cover Using J 42640
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the body control module bracket. Do not disconnect the harness from the body control module. Refer to BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT in Body Control System.
Disconnect the transmission shift cable (1) from the column.

Fig 2: Disconnecting Transmission Shift Cable From Column
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Disconnect the steering column electrical connectors.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Steering Column Electrical Connectors
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: During removal of the steering column the wire harness retaining clip must be removed and reinstalled after installing the steering column or damage may occur to the wire harness.
Remove the wiring harness retaining pin (4) from the instrument panel.

Fig 4: Removing Wiring Harness Retaining Pin From Instrument Panel
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt (1) from the steering column, and remove the shaft from the steering column.

Fig 5: Removing Upper Intermediate Shaft Pinch Bolt From Steering Column
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the nuts (1) from the knee bolster deflector.

Fig 6: Removing Nuts From Knee Bolster Deflector
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the nuts from the upper support brackets.
Remove the nuts from the lower support brackets.
NOTE: 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 in this section.
Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

Fig 7: Removing Nuts From Upper Support Brackets
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.