Steering Column

NOTE: Before proceeding, see WARNING .

Place front wheels of vehicle in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (-) cable. Wait two minutes for the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge before beginning any steering column, instrument panel, or airbag system/component service.

WARNING: When an undeployed airbag is to be removed from the vehicle, first disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable. Allow the airbag system reserve capacitor to discharge for two minutes before beginning any airbag system or component service. Personal injury may result if this procedure is not followed.

Fig 1: Airbag Mounting to Steering Wheel

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - SQUIB CONNECTOR

2 - SQUIB CONNECTOR

3 - DRIVER AIRBAG

4 - AIRBAG MOUNTING SCREW

5 - HORN PIGTAIL (CLOCKSPRING-TO-AIRBAG)

Remove driver airbag mounting screws (4).

Lift airbag (3) from mount and disconnect two airbag squib connectors (1, 2) and horn connector (5). Remove driver airbag.

Fig 2: Speed Control & Horn Wiring Connectors

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1 - STEERING WHEEL

2 - SPEED CONTROL WIRING CONNECTOR

3 - CLOCKSPRING

4 - HORN WIRING CONNECTOR

Disconnect speed control wiring connector (2) at clockspring (3) (center terminal).

Fig 3: Steering Wheel Mounting to Column

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1 - STEERING COLUMN

2 - WIRING CONNECTOR

3 - STEERING WHEEL

4 - DAMPER

5 - RETAINING BOLT

6 - WIRING CONNECTOR

7 - AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTORS

Remove steering wheel retaining bolt (5).
Remove damper (4).
Remove steering wheel (3) from steering column (1) using standard wheel puller.

Access and remove knee blocker airbag. Refer to REMOVAL .

Fig 4: Components Mounted to Steering Column

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1 - STEERING COLUMN

2 - WIRING HARNESS CLIP

3 - UPPER SHROUD

4 - CLOCKSPRING

5 - SWITCH MODULE

6 - LOWER SHROUD

7 - SHROUD MOUNTING SCREW

8 - WIRING HARNESS

Remove three screws (7) fastening lower shroud (6) to upper shroud (3) and column (1). See Fig 4.
Using hands, gently press inward at seams between shrouds at points where inner locking tabs exist, unlocking tabs.
Remove upper (3), then lower (6) shroud.

Remove column wiring harness (8) routing clip (2) from left side of column. See Fig 4.

Fig 5: Multi-Function Switch Mounting Housing Screw

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1 - CLOCK SPRING

2 - SCREW

3 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MOUNTING HOUSING

Remove screw (2) on bottom of column, then slide multi-function switch housing (3) (with switches and clockspring) off column.

Fig 6: Steering Column

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT

2 - COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET

3 - COLUMN MOUNTING STUDS

4 - STEERING COLUMN

5 - UPPER MOUNTING NUTS

6 - LOWER MOUNTING NUTS

7 - HAIR PIN

8 - COUPLING PINCH BOLT

Disconnect steering column coupling at intermediate shaft. See Fig 6. To do so:
- Remove hair pin (7) at end of coupling pinch bolt.
- Loosen nut and remove pinch bolt (8).
- Remove intermediate shaft (1) from coupling.
Remove four nuts (5, 6) fastening steering column (4) to column mounting bracket (2). Remove steering column.