Steering Column ASSY: Removal

Correct handling and precautions for operation (Refer to POWER STEERING SYSTEM )
Confirm that the front tires are in the straight-ahead position.
Disconnect the battery ground terminal.
WARNING: As the airbag and pretensioner system is equipped with a backup power supply, if you start work within 60 seconds of disconnecting the battery ground terminal, the airbag may accidently deploy.

CAUTION: To avoid damage to the molding, be sure to fully open the door glasses on both driver's and passenger's sides.
Remove the steering wheel ASSY (Refer to REMOVAL )
Remove the instrument side panel LH (Refer to DISASSEMBLY )
Remove the instrument panel under cover SUB-ASSY No. 1. (Refer to LIGHT CONTROL RHEOSTAT )
Remove the instrument cluster finish panel SUB-ASSY CTR.
Remove the meter hood SUB-ASSY.
Remove the instrument panel meter ornament UPR.
Remove the steering column cover support (with smart entry).
1. Unhook the 4 tabs and remove the steering column hole cover SUB-ASSY No. 1 (Steering column cover support).
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Steering Column Hole Cover Sub-Assembly No. 1 Tabs
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the steering column cover LWR.
1. Remove the two screws.
2. Unhook the six tabs and remove the steering column cover LWR.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Steering Column Cover Lower Tabs And Mounting Screws
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the steering column cover UPR.
1. Unhook the two tabs and remove the steering column cover UPR.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Steering Column Cover Upper Mounting Tabs
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the turn signal switch ASSY W/Steering roll connector.
1. Disconnect each connector from the turn signal switch ASSY W/Steering roll connector.
2. Use pliers to loosen the clamp.
3. When the clamp is loose, use a thin flat tip screwdriver to unhook the tabs and remove the turn signal switch ASSY W/Steering roll connector from the steering column ASSY.
  
  Fig 4: Locating Turn Signal Switch Assembly Tab And Clamp
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the steering intermediate shaft ASSY No. 2.
1. Place an alignment mark across the steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY and the steering column ASSY.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying alignment mark across steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY and steering column ASSY
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Undo the bolt, and remove the steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY from the steering column ASSY.
3. Place an alignment mark across the steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY and the steering gear ASSY.
  
  Fig 6: Locating Steering Sliding Yoke Sub-Assembly Mounting Bolt And Alignment Mark
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
4. Undo the bolt, and remove the steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY from the steering gear ASSY.
5. Unhook the four tabs on the vehicle exterior side and remove the steering sliding yoke SUB-ASSY from the vehicle interior side.
  
  Fig 7: Identifying Steering Sliding Yoke Sub-Assembly Tabs
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the steering column ASSY.
1. Disconnect the two connectors from the power steering computer ASSY.
  NOTE: As shown in the figure, after pulling out the lock for the lock lever, fold down the lock lever and remove the connector.
  
  Fig 8: Removing Steering Column Assembly
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
2. Disconnect the wiring harness clamp from the power steering computer ASSY.
3. Undo the two nuts and bolts and remove the steering column ASSY from the instrument panel reinforcement ASSY.
  NOTE: When pulling out the bolts, removal becomes easier if you lift up the steering column ASSY motor section and tilt the steering column ASSY.
  
  Fig 9: Locating Steering Column Assembly Mounting Nut And Bolts
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.