Steering Column: Removal

CAUTION: Steering column must be locked in proper position to prevent uncontrolled rotation of steering column shaft after removing steering column from vehicle and to prevent damage to clockspring on steering column.

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Ensure negative battery cable is disconnected from stud on strut tower and isolated from all other components. Remove left end cap (fuse panel cover) from instrument panel. Remove screws behind fuse panel cover attaching lower instrument panel cover to panel mounting bracket. Remove lower instrument panel cover. See Fig 1 , Fig 2 , or Fig 3 . Remove wire harness connector from trunk release switch in lower instrument panel cover. See Fig 6 .
Remove park brake release cable from brake release handle in lower instrument panel cover. Remove instrument panel reinforcement from instrument panel. Remove diagnostic connector from reinforcement. See Fig 7 . Place front wheels in straight-ahead position. Turn steering wheel 180 degrees clockwise. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Remove ignition key from lock cylinder.
On models with cruise control, remove both cruise control switches from steering wheel by removing screws from rear of steering wheel to gain access to air bag module bolts. On models without cruise control, remove both covers from sides of steering wheel by prying the covers from steering wheel to gain access to air bag module bolts.
Remove air bag module-to-steering wheel bolts. Lift air bag module from steering wheel. Disconnect wiring harness from rear of air bag module. Remove air bag module from steering wheel. Place air bag module on bench with trim cover facing upward, away from bench surface.

CAUTION: DO NOT hammer on steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.

Remove steering wheel retaining nut. Using puller, remove steering wheel.
Unsnap and remove upper steering column cover. Remove tilt lever from steering column. Remove screws retaining lower steering column cover. Remove lower cover. Disconnect electrical connectors from clockspring. Remove screws retaining clockspring. Remove clockspring.
Disconnect wire harness connector at SKIM module. Remove mounting screw and unclip module from key cylinder halo bezel.
Remove multifunction switch mounting screws. With wire harness attached, separate multifunction switch from steering column. Remove ignition switch mounting screws. With wire harness attached, separate ignition switch from steering column.
On models with floor shift, depress locking tab on shift interlock cable and remove shift interlock cable from lock housing. On models with column shift, remove shift cable from shifter mechanism. See Figure . Then, unlock cable lock and pry shift cable off pin with screwdriver. Remove shift cable mounting bracket from steering column. On all models, remove 2 A/C ducts located under steering column.
On all models, remove coupling bolt pin and coupling bolt. See Fig 5 . Separate steering column shaft coupling from intermediate shaft.
Remove 2 steering column upper mounting bracket to support bracket bolts. See Figure . Loosen, but DO NOT remove, 2 bolts attaching steering column lower mounting bracket to support bracket. Remove steering column from support bracket by pulling column rearward.

Fig 1: Locating Instrument Panel Components (Concorde)
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 2: Locating Instrument Panel Components (Intrepid)
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 3: Locating Instrument Panel Components (LHS & 300M)
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 4: Locating Release Tab & Shift Interlock Cable (Floor Shift)
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 5: Locating Steering Shaft Coupler
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 6: Locating Trunk Release Switch
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 7: Locating Diagnostic Connector
Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.