Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Column: Removal

Position front wheels straight ahead.
Remove and isolate the negative ground cable from the battery.
Remove the airbag. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article.

NOTE: If equipped with cruise control, disconnect clock spring harness from the cruise switch harness on the steering wheel.

Fig 1: Identifying Steering Wheel Puller

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Remove the steering wheel with an appropriate puller.

NOTE: Ensure the puller jaws are seated in the pockets of the steering wheel armature.

Fig 2: Identifying Steering Wheel Pockets

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 3: Locating Lock Cylinder Release Holes

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Turn ignition cylinder to the on position and remove cylinder by pressing release through lower shroud access hole. See STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article.
Remove steering column opening cover. See STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER .
Remove screws from the lower column shroud and remove the shroud.

Fig 4: Removing & Installing Shroud
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the steering coupler bolt and column mounting nuts then lower column off the mounting studs.

Fig 5: Removing Steering Column Mounting
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove upper column shroud.

NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, remove shifter interlock cable from the column. See GEARSHIFT CABLE in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RLE - OVERHAUL article.

Fig 6: Identifying Wiring Harness Column

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Disconnect and remove the wiring harness from the column.
Remove column.
Remove clock spring, switches, (SKIM if equipped). See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article.

Fig 7: Locating Clock Spring
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.