Removal Procedure
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:
- Touch a metal ground point in order to remove your body's static charge before servicing any electronic component; especially after sliding across the vehicle seat.
- Do not touch exposed terminals. Terminals may connect to circuits susceptible the ESD damage.
- Do not allow tools to contact exposed terminals when servicing connectors.
- Do not remove components from their protective packaging until required to do so.
- Avoid the following actions unless required by the diagnostic procedure:
- Jumpering or grounding of the components or connectors.
- Connecting test equipment probes to components or connectors. Connect the ground lead first when using test probes.
- Ground the protective packaging of any component before opening. Do not rest solid-state components on metal workbenches, or on top of TVs, radios, or other electrical devices.
During removal and installation, all EPS components including mechanical and/or electrical is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping or prying on any EPS component may cause internal damage. If damage occurs or a part is dropped, the EPS component must be replaced.
Care must be taken during removal and installation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) components to not hit or break the EPS motor/controller module or module harness connectors. If the EPS motor/controller module or module connectors are damaged, the complete component must be replaced.
- Disable the SIR system. SIR Disabling and Enabling
- Steering Wheel - Remove - Steering Wheel Replacement
- Steering Column Lower Trim Cover - Remove - Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement
- Turn Signal Switch Bracket - Remove - Turn Signal Switch Bracket Replacement
- Instrument Panel Knee Bolster - Remove - Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Replacement
- Instrument Panel Lower Airbag Bracket - Remove - Instrument Panel Lower Airbag Bracket Replacement
- Floor Front Air Outlet Duct - Left Side - Remove - Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side
- Intermediate Steering Shaft - Remove - Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement
- Remove the steering column wiring harness as necessary.
- Remove the instrument panel wiring harness clips from the steering column as necessary.
- Support the steering column.
Steering Column Lower Support Bracket Bolt (1) - Remove [ 2x ]
Steering Column Upper Support Bracket Nut (1) - Remove [ 2x ]
- Steering Column (2) - Remove
Refer to SIR Warning .
Do not support the steering column by only the lower or upper support bracket. Damage to the column lower bearing adapter could result.
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.