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Steering Column Service: Disassembly

CAUTION: If steering column is removed from vehicle to perform any service procedure, it must be supported using a fabricated fixture. See Figure . The steering column can not be directly clamped in a vise.
  1. Remove steering column from vehicle, if necessary. Refer to STEERING COLUMN  in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
  2. If steering column is removed for service, fabricate a support fixture to clamp it in a vise. See Figure .
  3. If steering column is not being removed from vehicle, place front wheels in the straight-ahead position before performing any service on steering column. Disconnect negative battery cable and isolate cable.
  4. Protect painted areas on steering column, so they will not be damaged during steering column disassembly.
  5. Remove steering wheel. See Figure . Refer to STEERING WHEEL  in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
  6. Remove steering column adapter. Refer to STEERING COLUMN ADAPTER  in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
    7. WARNING: The lockplate retains a very strong spring force. Do not attempt to remove the steering shaft retaining snap ring without using Lockplate Compressor (Special Tool C-4156).
  7. Remove lockplate cover from the steering column assembly. Use a screw driver inserted into the 2 openings on lock plate cover to pry cover over edge off of lockplate. See Figure .
  8. Compress lockplate with Lock Plate Compressor (Special Tool C-4156) and release the steering shaft retaining snap ring. See Figure .
  9. Remove lock plate compressor and lockplate retaining snap ring. Discard lock plate snap ring.
  10. Remove lockplate, canceling cam, upper bearing preload spring, and thrust washer from steering column shaft. See Figure .
  11. Remove screw attaching hazard warning switch knob. See Figure . Remove hazard warning knob from steering column.
  12. Remove tilt release lever from steering column assembly. See Figure . Tilt lever is removed by unscrewing it from the steering column. Remove turn signal lever from turn signal switch by pulling it straight out of switch.
  13. Disconnect turn signal switch harness connector from bracket located at lower end of steering column. See Figure . Connector is removed from bracket by prying on ends of connector with screw driver.
    CAUTION: Wrap tape around turn signal switch harness connector to prevent it from becoming entangled during removal. See Figure .
  14. Remove plastic protector from wiring harness before attempting to remove wiring harness and connector from steering column. See Figure .
  15. Remove turn signal switch retaining screws. See Figure . The dimmer switch actuator arm has to be removed, to remove turn signal switch. Guide turn switch straight up and out of steering column.
  16. Remove windshield wiper switch wiring harness and all other wiring harnesses located within steering column out through housing cover.
    17. CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the key warning buzzer switch and contacts separately. If separated, the contacts can detach and drop into the steering column.
  17. Insert ignition switch key into key/lock cylinder. Turn key to the ON position.
  18. Remove the key warning buzzer switch and contacts as a unit. See Figure . Use needle-nose pliers or a paper clip bent at a right angle (90 degrees).
  19. Turn ignition key/lock cylinder to the ON position. Insert a thin screwdriver into slot adjacent to the switch attaching screw boss (right-hand slot). See Figure . Depress the spring latch located at the bottom of the slot to release the key/lock cylinder. Remove the cylinder
  20. Remove ignition switch and dimmer switch from lower end of steering column. See Figure .
  21. Remove the 3 Torx head screws that attach key/lock cylinder housing cover to steering column jacket. See Figure . Remove from steering column assembly, by pulling straight up on cylinder housing cover.
  22. Remove upper bearing race and bearing seat from steering shaft. See Figure .
    23. WARNING: The tilt spring guide retainer retains a strong spring force.
  23. Install tilt release lever into tilt release latch. Unlock tilt latch and place steering column in the full upward tilt position.
  24. Press tilt spring guide retainer inward and turn it counterclockwise until retainer tabs disengage from key/lock cylinder housing lugs. See Figure . Ensure that screwdriver blade properly fits the retainer slot. Remove tilt spring guide retainer, guide and spring from housing.
  25. Position steering column in center, non-tilt position.
  26. Remove key/lock cylinder housing pivot pins from housing using Pivot Pin Remover (Special Tool C-4016). See Figure . Thread pivot pin remover into pivot pin until seated. Set receiving cup of pivot pin remover against key/lock cylinder housing. Turn nut on threaded portion of tool to extract pivot pin.
  27. Lift tilt-release lever to release lock shoes. See Figure . Push down on key/lock cylinder housing to disengage shoes from support. Turn housing clockwise to separate lock rack from remote rod. Remove cylinder housing from support.
  28. Remove the tilt-release lever from the key/lock cylinder housing.
  29. Remove lock sector spring retaining screw. Remove spring from lock sector and key/lock cylinder. See Figure . Rotate spring in a clockwise direction to remove it from lock bolt.
  30. Remove lock bolt, lock rack, rack preload spring and remote rod from the cylinder housing.
  31. Insert a wedge between lock shoes and the key/lock cylinder housing. See Figure . This will relieve spring tension on the tilt-release lever pin and lock shoe pin.
  32. Remove tilt-release lever pin from key/lock cylinder housing using a standard pin punch. See Figure .
  33. Remove lock shoe pin from key/lock cylinder housing using a standard pin punch. See Figure . Remove lock shoes, springs and wedge.
  34. Remove upper and lower bearings and races from the key/lock cylinder only if they are damaged or worn. If bearings and races must be replaced, remove them with a hammer and punch. Discard bearings and races after removal. They are not reusable.
  35. Remove steering shaft, from upper end of steering column. See Figure .
  36. Separate steering shaft sections, by folding 90 degrees at flexible joint and detaching the upper and lower shaft halves. See Figure .
  37. Remove the 4 bolts attaching steering column support to steering column. See Figure . Remove support and actuator rod from steering column.
  38. Remove retainer and bearing from lower end of steering column. See Figure .
  39. Tilt upper end of retainer plate toward lower end of steering column. Turn retainer plate counter clockwise and remove from steering column. See Figure .
  40. Remove key-release lever and lever return spring from shroud. Tilt lever forward and lift upward to remove lever from shroud. See Figure .
  41. Remove shroud from steering column jacket. See Figure . Shroud is removed from jacket by firmly pulling straight up on shroud until separated from jacket.
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