Steering Column Service: Assembly

WARNING: Use only original or exact replacement screws, bolts and nuts to assemble steering column. Incorrect screw or bolt length could prevent steering column from compressing with impact (front-end collision). All fasteners used for assembly must be tightened with the correct torque. This will ensure the column will breakaway on an impact.

CAUTION: Apply chassis lubricant to all bearings, thrust and friction producing mating surfaces before assembly.

Position key-release lever return spring on lever and install lever with spring attached into shroud. See Fig 27 .
Align and install shroud on steering column jacket. See Fig 28 . Be sure shroud is fully seated on steering column jacket.
Install retainer plate. Tilt retainer plate toward the 12 o'clock position, slide it under the steering column jacket opening, and seat it in the jacket notches. See Fig 26 . Retainer plate must be installed in steering column properly. See Fig 29 .
Align steering column support with steering column jacket and retainer plate, install support in steering column. To completely seat support, press key-release lever downward while pressing the support into place. Install support retaining screws finger-tight. Torque the screws alternately and evenly to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m).
Install actuator rod in support. Route rod through upper end of shroud and insert it into rod slot located in support.
Install dimmer switch and ignition switch on to lower steering column jacket.
Install steering shaft in steering column.
Install replacement races and bearings in key/lock cylinder, if removed. Ensure that bearings are lubricated with chassis lubricant before installation.
Install lock shoes, lock shoe springs and lock shoe pin into key/lock cylinder housing. See Fig 21 . Use a 0.18 in. (4.5-mm) diameter rod to align lock shoes and pin during installation.
Install tilt-release lever, lever spring and lever pin in key/lock cylinder housing. See Fig 20 . Insert a wedge between housing and release lever to relieve spring tension. See Fig 19 . This will allow easier release lever pin installation.
Install lock bolt in key/lock cylinder housing and engage it in the lock sector cam. See Fig 30 .
Install lock rack, rack preload spring and a replacement shim in key/lock cylinder housing. See Fig 31 . The square block tooth on the lock rack and lock sector must mate.
Install lock spring and spring retaining screw. Torque screw to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m).
Align and install assembled key/lock cylinder housing on support. See Fig 32 . Retain lock shoes in the disengaged position for easier housing installation.
Align pivot pin holes in key/lock cylinder housing with those in support and insert pivot pins. See Fig 33 . Press key/lock housing firmly down ward when inserting pivot pins to prevent damaging pivot pin holes in support. When pivot pins are in both the housing and support pivot pin holes, seat them fully with a punch and a hammer.
Insert tilt-release lever in key/lock cylinder housing and place housing in full-upward tilt position.
Lubricate tilt spring guide and tilt spring liberally with chassis lubricant and position spring on guide. See Fig 15 .
Insert tilt spring guide and spring into key/lock cylinder housing. Install the guide retainer over the spring. Engage retainer lock tabs with housing lugs by pressing retainer downward and turning clockwise with a screwdriver.
Place housing cover on key/lock cylinder housing. Align and install the cover retaining screws. See Fig 13 . Torque the 3 Torx head screws to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m).
Route windshield wiper switch wiring harness down through steering column. See Fig 34 .
To install ignition switch lock, turn key to LOCK position and remove key. This will cause the buzzer operating lever to retract in key/lock. cylinder. Now insert key/lock cylinder into housing far enough to contact drive shaft. Force it inward and move ignition switch actuator rod up and down to align components. When components align, key/lock cylinder will move inward and spring-loaded retainer will snap and lock key/lock cylinder in place. See Fig 35 .
Insert ignition key in key/lock cylinder and turn it to the ON position. Install key warning buzzer switch contacts. See Fig 10 .
Install turn signal switch. Fold turn signal switch wires against connector. Route wiring harness and connector down through steering, column. Position switch in key/lock cylinder housing and install switch retaining screws. Do not tighten at this time.
Install turn signal stalk by pushing it straight into the turn signal/windshield wiper switch.
Insert hazard warning knob into hazard warning switch. Install and tighten the hazard warning knob retaining screw. See Fig 5 . Ensure that turn signal switch is properly seated before tightening screws. See Fig 9 . Torque turn signal switch attaching screws to 33 INCH lbs. (4 N.m).
Install and seat upper bearing race in key/lock cylinder housing. See Fig 14 .
Install upper bearing preload spring and canceling cam. See Fig 4 .
Install lockplate on steering column shaft.
Install a NEW lockplate retaining snap ring on the sleeve of the Lock Plate Compressor (Special Tool C-4156). Retaining snap ring is installed by disassembling tool and installing snap ring over threaded end and pushing onto sleeve. See Fig 36 .
Install lock plate compressor on steering shaft. See Fig 37 . Compress lockplate using compressor tool and position retaining snap ring in steering shaft groove.
Ensure that retaining snap ring is completely seated in steering shaft groove before removing lock plate compressor. Remove lock plate compressor.
Position wiring harness protectors, over wiring harnesses and snap them in place on steering column. See Fig 8 .
Install lockplate cover. Be sure lockplate cover is completely seated all the way around lockplate.
Install steering column adapter. Refer to STEERING COLUMN ADAPTER in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Install steering column adapter cover.
Install steering wheel. Refer to STEERING WHEEL in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Insert ignition key in key/lock cylinder; turn cylinder to the OFF-UNLOCK position; move ignition switch downward to eliminate any switch-to-remote rod lash. Torque ignition switch attaching screws to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). See Fig 12 .
Depress dimmer switch slightly and insert a 3/32 " drill bit into the adjustment hole.
Loosen retaining screws and move dimmer switch toward steering wheel to remove any lash. Torque dimmer switch retaining screws to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m).
Remove drill bit and test operation by moving dimmer, switch stalk. Test dimmer switch operation in the full-up, down and center steering wheel positions.
Install steering column. Refer to STEERING COLUMN in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Connect negative battery cable to battery.
Reset clock and any other electronic components of vehicle that are affected when battery is disconnected.

Fig 1: Installing Steering Column Support Fixture

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Fig 2: Removing Lock Plate Cover

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Fig 3: Removing Lock Plate Snap Ring

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Fig 4: Removing & Installing Steering Column Component

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Fig 5: Removing & Installing Hazard Warning Knob

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Fig 6: Removing Tilt Lever & Turn Signal Lever

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Fig 7: Removing Turn Signal Wiring Connector From Bracket

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Fig 8: Removing Wiring Harness Connector

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Fig 9: Removing & Installing Turn Signal Switch

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Fig 10: Removing & Installing Key Warning Buzzer/Contacts

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Fig 11: Removing Key/Lock Cylinder

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Fig 12: Removing & Installing Ignition Switch & Dimmer Switch

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Fig 13: Removing & Installing Key/Lock Housing Cover Screws & Assembly

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Fig 14: Removing & Installing Steering Shaft Bearing Race & Seat

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Fig 15: Removing Retainer, Guide & Spring

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Fig 16: Removing Pivot Pin

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Fig 17: Removing Key/Lock Cylinder Housing

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Fig 18: Removing Lock Sector Spring

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Fig 19: Installing A Wedge Between Lock Shoes & Housing

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Fig 20: Removing & Installing Tilt-Release Lever Pin

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Fig 21: Removing & Installing Lock Shoe Pin

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Fig 22: Removing Steering Shaft

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Fig 23: Separating Steering Shaft

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Fig 24: Removing Steering Column Support

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Fig 25: Removing Lower Retainer & Bearing

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Fig 26: Removing & Installing Retainer Plate

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Fig 27: Removing & Installing Key-Release Lever & Spring

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Fig 28: Removing & Installing Shroud

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Fig 29: Installing Retainer Plate

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Fig 30: Installing Lock Bolt In Cylinder Housing

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Fig 31: Identifying Lock Rack & Lock Sector (Engagement)

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Fig 32: Installing Key/Lock Cylinder

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Fig 33: Installing Pivot Pins In Housing & Support

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Fig 34: Routing Switch Wiring Inside Column

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Fig 35: Installing Key/Lock Cylinder

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Fig 36: Installing Snap Ring On Lock Plate Compressor (Special Tool C-4156)

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Fig 37: Installing Lockplate Retaining Ring

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