Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Column: Removal

WARNING: Before servicing the steering column, the airbag system must be disarmed. Failure to do so may result in accidental deployment of the airbag and possible personal injury. (Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2002) or AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2003)).

Position front wheels straight ahead.
Disconnect and isolate the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
Remove the airbag. (Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2002) or AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (2003)).

NOTE: Ensure the puller jaws are seated in the pockets of the steering wheel armature. (Fig 1 ).

Fig 1: Identifying Steering Wheel Pockets

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 2: Using Steering Wheel Puller

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Remove the steering wheel nut and remove wheel with Puller C-3894-A. (Fig 2 ).
Remove the cluster bezel by pulling it from the instrument panel. (Fig 3 ).

Fig 3: Removing Cluster Bezel
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Remove the knee blocker cover (Fig 4 ).

Fig 4: Removing Knee Blocker Cover
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Remove the lower steering column shroud mounting screw. (Fig 5 ).

Fig 5: Removing Column Shroud Mounting Screw
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Unsnap the two halves of the column shrouds by pressing on the sides of the upper shroud and tilting the rear of the upper shroud up. Remove the shrouds from the steering column. (Fig 6 ).

Fig 6: Removing Column Shrouds
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Remove the upper fixed shroud mounting screws and remove the shroud. (Fig 7 ).

Fig 7: Removing Upper Fixed Shroud
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Disconnect the multifunction switch (Fig 8 ) and ignition switch harness.

Fig 8: Disconnecting Multifunction Switch Harness
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Remove the multifunction switch screw from underneath the switch (Fig 9 ). Slide the multifunction switch and clock spring off the column as an assembly (Fig 10 ).

Fig 9: Removing Multifunction Switch Screws
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Fig 10: Removing Multifunction Switch & Clock Spring
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Turn the ignition key to the on position, then release and remove the shifter interlock cable (Fig 11 ) from the ignition lock cylinder housing.

Fig 11: Removing Shifter Interlock Cable
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Remove the column coupler bolt (Fig 12 ) and slide the coupler off the column shaft.

Fig 12: Removing Column Coupler Bolt & Mounting Nuts
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Remove the column mounting nuts and lower column off mounting studs. (Fig 12 ). Remove the column from the vehicle.
Remove the ignition switch, cylinder and SKIM. (Refer to LOCK CYLINDER ). (Fig 13 ).

Fig 13: Removing Ignition Switch & SKIM
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