Steering Column/Shaft: Removal

Disconnect the negative (-) terminal from the battery.
NOTE: Be sure to proceed with airbag related service only after approximately 30 seconds or longer from the time the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position, key is removed from the vehicle and the negative (-) battery cable is disconnected from the battery. The airbag system is equipped with a back-up power source to assure the deployment of airbags when the battery cable is disconnected during an accident. The back-up power is available for approximately 150ms.

Fig 1: Identifying Battery
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After removing the two hexagon bolts in the illustration, remove the driver' s airbag module.

Fig 2: Identifying Driver's Airbag Module Bolts
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the steering wheel lock nut.

Fig 3: Identifying Steering Wheel Lock Nut
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After aligning the marks on the steering shaft and wheel, remove the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not hammer on the steering wheel to remove it; it may damage the steering column.
After removing the three screws in the illustration, remove the steering column upper and lower shrouds.

Fig 4: Identifying Steering Column Upper & Lower Shrouds Screws
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After removing the screws in the illustration, remove the clock spring.

Fig 5: Identifying Clock Spring Screws
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the connectors from the multifunction switch and the multifunction switch.

Fig 6: Identifying Multifunction Switch Connectors
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the lower crash pad.

Fig 7: Identifying Lower Crash Pad
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolt connecting the steering column shaft assembly with the intermediate upper shaft, and then separate them apart.

Fig 8: Identifying Steering Column Shaft -To-Intermediate Upper Shaft Bolt
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After removing the four mounting bolts, remove the steering column shaft assembly.

Fig 9: Identifying Steering Column Shaft Assembly Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the four mounting bolts in the dust cover assembly.

Fig 10: Identifying Dust Cover Assembly Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the bolt tightening the intermediate upper shaft and intermediate lower shaft, and then separate them apart.

Fig 11: Identifying Intermediate Upper Shaft-To-Intermediate Lower Shaft Bolt
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After removing the bolt connecting the steering gear box with the intermediate lower shaft, separate the intermediate lower shaft from the gear box.