Steering Column

NOTE: Disassembly and reassembly procedures for standard and tilt columns are similar. Some procedures for tilt columns do not apply to standard columns. If in doubt as to whether or not a part or procedure applies to the column being serviced, see Figureand Figure.

Disconnect battery ground cable and remove steering wheel. Remove column if necessary. Remove steering shaft lock cover. Install suitable tool (J-23653) on steering shaft and remove lock plate "C" ring. Remove lock plate, cancelling cam and upper bearing preload spring. Remove dimmer switch actuator arm (if equipped).
Unscrew hazard warning knob. Remove 3 switch mounting screws and pull the switch connector out of bracket on column jacket. Feed connector through column support bracket and pull switch straight up. Remove wire harness protector with pliers. Pull switch straight up, guiding wire harness and cover through column housing.

Fig 1: Ignition Lock Cylinder Removal (Retaining Screw Type)
Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE
Turn ignition switch to "RUN" position, remove key warning buzzer switch retainer clips and buzzer switch. DO NOT drop buzzer retainer clip into column. Remove screw securing lock cylinder and remove lock cylinder by pulling it out. Remove tilt lever and cover-to-housing screws. If equipped with dimmer on column, remove cap and actuator rod. Use punch to remove pivot pin, then lift out pivot assembly.
NOTE: The lock cylinder on some models is retained with a spring loaded retaining tab. To remove lock cylinder on these models, depress tab with a screwdriver and withdraw lock cylinder from housing. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Ignition Lock Cylinder Removal (Retaining Tab Type)
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Remove wiper switch, if equipped. Remove lock spring screw, then move rack assembly upward. Turn spring clockwise until disconnected from steering shaft lock bolt, and remove spring. Remove sector snap ring and remove sector with a pin punch by driving out cylinder lock shaft. Lock bolt can now be removed from housing. Remove lock drive shaft through lock assembly opening. Install tilt lever and move column up. Remove tilt spring assembly using a screwdriver. Press in and turn retainer counterclockwise about 1/8 turn to remove tilt spring.
Remove housing upper bearing seat and race. Install suitable pivot pin removal tool (J-21854-1), and remove pivot pins. Lift tilt lever to release lock shoes. Pull upward on housing to extend rack fully down, then move housing to left to disengage rack from actuator and remove housing from column. Remove rack and spring from housing (do not lose spring shim if equipped). Using suitable pin punch (J-22635), drive out tilt release lever pin and remove lever and spring. Drive out lock shoe pin and remove shoes and springs.

Fig 3: Removing Tilt Spring Retainer
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Fig 4: Tilt Column Pivot Pin Removal
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With telescoping type columns, remove upper shaft from upper yoke by releasing locking rod and pulling shaft out. Remove locking wedge and rod. With all columns, to remove complete steering shaft assembly, disconnect and remove lower shaft coupling, bearing components and spacer (if equipped). Carefully pull steering shaft from column upper end.
NOTE: If service is required on yoke or centering sphere assembly only, it is not necessary to remove steering shaft completely from column.

To disconnect steering shaft spheres, turn yoke 90° to centerline of lower shaft, align flats on centering sphere with lower shaft and remove upper yoke with centering sphere. Remove sphere from yoke by rotating sphere so flats align with yoke opening
Remove shift lever by driving out pin and pulling lever from bowl. Remove four screws attaching support to lock plate and remove support. Remove shift gate attaching screws and remove shift gate from support. Remove ignition switch as follows: Remove toe-pan trim cover and loosen toe-pan clamp bolts. Remove nuts from column bracket and lower column. Place the ignition key lock cylinder in "LOCK" position before proceeding.
NOTE: If lock cylinder has already been removed, the actuating rod to ignition switch should be pulled up until it stops and then pushed down one detent, which is "LOCK" position.

Remove switch screws and remove ignition switch. Remove actuator rod through bowl from upper end of column.
The following steps for bowl and/or shift tube removal require column removal. With column removed from vehicle, remove ignition switch, neutral start and back-up switch (if equipped). Remove retaining ring, cover, bearing and adapter from column lower end. Remove shift tube retaining ring and thrust washer. Remove lower shift tube support screws (if equipped).
Position suitable puller (J-23072) in bowl and turn bolts into lock plate about six turns. Turn center tool bolt while guiding shift lever through slot in jacket. Separate shift tube and bowl. Mark location of lock plate and remove lock plate and wave washer. Slide shift tube out column lower end.