Steering Column: Disassembly

Remove steering column. See STEERING COLUMN R & I under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove rear covers from both switch control modules. See Figure.
On all column types, remove switch control modules from housing/shroud. See STEERING COLUMN SWITCH CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLIES under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. See Figure.
Remove housing/shroud from column. On tilt column, cover tilt lever with shop towel, and unscrew lever using locking pliers.
Remove turn signal canceling cam by unhooking tabs from shaft groove. Use 3 small, pre-bent paper clips to hold tabs away from shaft while sliding canceling cam off steering column. Remove canceling cam wave washer. Remove screws retaining turn signal switch to switch adapter. See Figure or Figure.
Remove shroud bracket from column housing. Remove ignition switch. See IGNITION SWITCH R & I . Remove lock cylinder from lock cylinder housing. See LOCK CYLINDER R & I . Remove turn signal switch adapter from steering column housing. Upper steering shaft retaining ring and upper bearing spring retainer are under strong spring tension from upper bearing spring. DO NOT remove retaining ring without compressing spring. Adapter 7100 (J-35899) must be positioned at 45-degree angle from lock cylinder housing to avoid damaging steering column housing.
Using Adapter 7100 (J-35899) and Spring Compressor (J-23653A), remove upper steering shaft retaining ring, upper bearing spring retainer and upper bearing spring. See Fig 1.
To remove lock cylinder housing from steering column housing, center punch top of tamper-proof bolts. See Fig 2. Drill off bolt heads using a 1/4" (6 mm) drill bit. Drill until bit contacts hardened washer. Remove bolts from lock cylinder housing. Retain hardened washer for reassembly.

Fig 1: Removing Steering Shaft Retaining Ring
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS

Fig 2: Removing Lock Cylinder Housing
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS

CAUTION: The following step involves removal of tilt column spring, which exerts strong tension against tilt spring retainer. Use extreme care when removing tilt spring retainer. The Phillips screwdriver tip should be large enough to fit snugly into retainer cross-shaped recess.
Install tilt lever, and securely mount steering column housing bracket in vise. Using a large Phillips screwdriver that fits snugly into retainer cross-shaped recess, press retainer inward and turn clockwise to unlock and remove tilt spring retainer and spring. See Fig 3.
Remove all steering column tilt pivot pins using Pivot Pin Remover 7101 (J-21854-1). See Fig 4. Move tilt lever forward to disengage steering column housing lock shoes from steering column support. Move housing away from steering column support and off upper steering shaft.

Fig 3: Removing Tilt Spring
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS

Fig 4: Removing Tilt Pivot Pins
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CAUTION: DO NOT strike steering shafts to remove them. Steering column shear pins may be damaged.
On all columns, pull steering shafts out of steering column jacket. Remove 4 steering column support Torx head screws. Remove steering column support/housing from steering column jacket.
On tilt column, to separate steering shafts, pivot upper and lower shafts to 90-degree angle. Separate shafts at flexible joint by removing centering sphere retaining ring. See Fig 5. On fixed column, remove upper bearing retaining ring from groove in steering column housing bore. See Fig 6.
If bearing in steering column jacket is worn or damaged, replace jacket. A replacement bearing is included as part of replacement jacket. Force the upper bearing out of the housing using 2 proper size sockets, which are used as bearing driver and support. See Fig 7.

Fig 5: Separating Upper Shaft from Lower Shaft

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS

Fig 6: Removing Column Housing Retaining Ring & Bearing

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS

Fig 7: Removing Upper Bearing

Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS