Steering Column: Installation
- Install plastic guides, located between steering column and upper bracket, with washers facing away from instrument panel.
- If steering lock assembly was removed, install assembly so distance from end of steering column tube to front edge of lock assembly is 3.8" (97 mm).
- Install steering column. Loosely install upper and lower steering column bracket retaining bolts and brackets. DO NOT tighten bolts at this time. Measure distance from end of steering lock assembly to the instrument panel.
- Position steering column assembly so distance is within .53-.65" (13.5-16.5 mm). Ensure steering column does not contact plastic guides on upper bracket. If steering column contacts plastic guides, loosen upper bracket-to-instrument panel bolts and move upper bracket.
- Tighten upper bracket-to-steering column bolts. DO NOT shear off bolts at this time. Install lower bracket bolts and tighten to specification. Install defroster hose. Install rubber seal on firewall and install upper joint on upper steering shaft.
- Assemble lower steering shaft flange to upper joint and tighten bolt to specification. Measure distance between upper joint and shoulder on lower steering shaft. Distance should be .40-.75" (10.1-19.1 mm). See Fig 1 .
- If distance is not within specification, loosen bolts at upper and lower joint at the steering shaft. Adjust lower shaft distance to obtain correct distance. See Fig 1 . Retighten joint retaining bolts.
- Temporarily install steering wheel. Pull upward on steering wheel and measure distance between steering wheel and end of steering column. Distance should be .04-.08" (1.0-2.0 mm). If distance is incorrect, loosen lower joint and reposition lower shaft to obtain correct clearance. Retighten lower joint bolt.
- Remove steering wheel. Install combination switches, steering wheel and steering column covers. Tighten upper bracket-to-steering column bolts until they shear off. Ensure all joint bolts are tightened. Reconnect battery cable.
CAUTION:
On models with SRS, disconnect negative battery cable prior to working on steering column. DO NOT reconnect battery and turn ignition on when removing air bag assembly. If air bag assembly has been removed, and voltage is applied to SRS circuit, a fault code will be displayed and SRS light will be activated.
- Install lock assembly on bearing housing and tighten new bolt until it shears off. Lubricate bearing housing with grease. Install bearing housing and bolts. DO NOT tighten bolts at this time.
- Turn ignition on. Ensure spring and washer is installed on steering shaft. Install steering shaft in bearing housing. Install spacer ring and snap ring on steering shaft.
- Install lower bearing plate bolts. Install lower shaft and tighten joint bolts. Ensure steering column lock works properly. Tighten bearing housing-to-bracket bolts until they shear off. Tighten guide pin bolt.
- On models with SRS, if lock screw was removed during steering wheel removal, contact reel must be reset. Rotate contact reel to the right as far as possible and then rotate back to the left 3 turns.
- Install lock screw to retain contact ring. See Figure . To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.
CAUTION:
On models with SRS, disconnect negative battery cable prior to working on steering column. DO NOT reconnect battery and turn ignition on when removing air bag assembly. If air bag assembly has been removed, and voltage is applied to SRS circuit, a fault code will be displayed and SRS light will be activated.