Removal Procedure
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR.
- Insert J 42640 into the steering column access hole in order to lock the steering column. See Special Tools . This will maintain the orientation.
- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
- Remove the steering column trim covers. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement .
- Remove the linear shift cable by pushing in on the retaining tab and pulling downward on the cable.
- Remove the upper pinch bolt for the intermediate steering shaft from the steering column. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .
- Disconnect the electrical connectors from the steering column.
- Remove the instrument panel cluster (IPC). Refer to Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Replacement (Pontiac) or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Replacement (Chevrolet) .
- Remove the upper mounting bolts (1) from the steering column (3).
- Loosen the lower mounting bolts (4) from the steering column (3).
- Remove the steering column (3) from the vehicle.
- Install the steering column onto J 41352 . See Special Tools .
CAUTION:
Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in Cautions and Notices.
CAUTION:
Refer to SIR Caution
in Cautions and Notices.
NOTE:
The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the SIR coil assembly to become uncentered, which may cause damage to the coil assembly.
NOTE:
The vehicle's wheels must be in a straight-ahead position and the key must be in a LOCK position when removing or installing the steering column. Failure to do so may cause the SIR coil assembly to become uncentered and may result in unneeded SIR system repairs.
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.