Steering Column Overhaul: Disassembly
- Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in the STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article in this section. Remove headlight switch pod retaining screws from top and bottom of pod. Remove wiring harness tie wraps.
- Using screwdriver, separate headlight switch pod connector from steering column connector. Push headlight switch pod connector out of channels in column connector.
- Pull headlight switch assembly from headlight switch pod. Carefully pull headlight switch wiring through housing to remove pod. Remove 2 Phillips screws inside pod, on steering column if necessary.
- Remove heat/AC pod in similar manner as headlight pod. Remove canceling cam, wave washer, and turn signal switch screws. Remove turn signal switch. Remove shroud mounting screws. Remove shroud.
- Remove ignition switch. Remove lock cylinder bezel. Insert ignition key into lock cylinder. Turn key to unmarked position. Pressing lock tab inward, remove lock cylinder from ignition switch.
- Position Adapter (J-35899) on spring retainer. See Fig 1. Thread Compressor (J-23653A) onto steering column shaft. Tighten spring compressor nut to compress bearing retainer spring.
- Remove and discard snap ring. Loosen spring compressor nut. Remove spring compressor and adapter. Remove bearing retainer and spring.
- On column shift models, remove gearshift cable by pressing retaining tab in. See Figure. Temporarily remove tilt lever. Center punch and drill out lock cylinder shear bolts until drill bit reaches washer.
- Remove lock cylinder housing. Using pliers, remove drilled-out bolts. Reinstall tilt lever. Place column in full up position. Insert large Phillips screwdriver into tilt spring retainer recess.
- Press retainer inward and turn it clockwise to remove retainer and spring. Place column in center position. Using Puller (J- 21854-1), remove housing pivot pins. Move tilt lever to disengage lock shoes.
- Slide housing off support. Pull steering shaft out toward support side of column. DO NOT strike shaft to remove. Remove support mounting screws.
- Remove support from column. Rotate upper and lower steering column shaft to a 90 degree angle. Separate upper and lower steering shaft at flex joint.