Removal Procedure
- Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR.
- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
- Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.
- For vehicles with a column shift, remove the range selector cable from the steering column. Refer to Automatic Transmission Range Selector Cable Replacement (Column Shift) or Automatic Transmission Range Selector Cable Replacement (Console Shift) in Automatic Transmission - 4L60-E.
- Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640 .
- Loosen the center screw in the steering column bulkhead connector and disconnect the bulkhead connector.
- Remove the retaining nuts that secure the steering column to the steering column toe plate.
- Remove the retaining nuts that secure the steering column to the upper support bracket.
- Remove intermediate shaft pinch bolt from steering column.
- Remove the steering column.
- Install the steering column onto J 41352 . See Special Tools .
- Remove the upper intermediate shaft retaining nut and bolt.
- Remove the upper intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.
CAUTION:
Refer to SIR Caution
in Cautions and Notices.
NOTE:
Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.
NOTE:
The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.