Steering Columns Acura MDX I

DESCRIPTION

All models use a 2-piece safety steering column with a slip joint flange connection. The steering column is supported by a column tube.

DISABLING SYSTEM

Driver-Side Air Bag (Except 3.5RL)

1. Turn ignition off. Disconnect both battery cables. Remove access panel from steering wheel. (Scheme 1)
2. Disconnect air bag connector from cable reel connector. Driver's air bag is now disabled. Disable passenger-side air bag.

Scheme 1

Driver-Side Air Bag (3.5RL)

Turn ignition off. Disconnect battery cables. Wait at least 5 minutes to allow capacitor in back-up circuit to discharge. Remove access panel below driver's air bag on steering wheel. (Scheme 1) Disconnect driver-side air bag 2-pin connector from cable reel 2-pin connector.

Passenger-Side Air Bag (Except 3.5RL)

Remove glove box. Disconnect harness connector from passenger-side air bag connector. (Scheme 2) Passenger's air bag is now disabled.

Scheme 2

Passenger-Side Air Bag (3.5RL)

Remove glove box. Unplug connector between passenger-side air bag and SRS main harness. (Scheme 3)

Scheme 3

Seat Belt Pretensioner (3.5RL)

Remove lower seat belt anchor bolt and quarter trim panels. Disconnect seat belt tension reducer 2-pin connector and seat belt pretensioner 2-pin connector from right and left seat belt pretensioners. (Scheme 4)

Scheme 4

Except 3.5RL

1. Ensure ignition switch is off and battery cables are disconnected. Reconnect air bag harness connectors.
2. Install access panel to steering wheel. Install glove box. Reconnect battery cables.
3. Turn ignition on. Observe SRS indicator light to verify system is functioning properly. SRS indicator light should come on for about 6 seconds and then go off. While vehicle is driven, SRS light should not come on or flash. If SRS indicator light does not operate as indicated, system must be inspected/repaired as soon as possible. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.

3.5RL

1. Reconnect seat belt tension reducer 2-pin connector and seat belt pretensioner 2-pin connector to right and left seat belt pretensioners. Reinstall quarter trim panel and lower seat belt anchor bolt and tighten to specifications. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications) .
2. Reconnect passenger-side air bag 2-pin connector to SRS main harness 2-pin connector. Reinstall glove box.
3. Reconnect driver's air bag 2-pin connector to cable reel 2-pin connector. Reinstall access panel under driver's air bag. Reconnect battery. Check SRS indicator light to verify system functions properly.

STEERING WHEEL TILT LEVER (EXCEPT 3.5RL)

1. Move the tilt lever from the loose position to the lock position 3 to 5 times; then measure the tilt lever preload 0.4" (10 mm) from the end if the tilt lever. (Scheme 5) Tilt Lever Preload 15-20 Ft. Lbs. (20-27 N.m)
2. If the measurement is out of the specification, adjust the preload using the following steps. Loosen the tilt lever and set the steering column in the neutral position. Remove the 6 mm lock bolt and remove the stop. Be careful not to loosen the tilt lever when installing the stop or tightening the 6 mm lock bolt. Adjust the preload by turning the tilt lock bolt left or right. Pull up the tilt lever to the uppermost position, and install the stop. Check the preload again. If the measurement is still out of specification, repeat the procedures.

Scheme 5

Removal & Installation

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard panel and knee bolster, if equipped. Unplug combination switch connectors and remove turn signal canceling sleeve. Remove combination switch mounting screws and switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove steering wheel. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard panel and left knee bolster, if equipped. On all other models, unplug connector from ignition switch or underdash fuse block. Set ignition switch to "O" position. Remove 2 screws and ignition switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD

Removal

1. Deactivate air bag system. See «DISABLING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__disabling-system) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Position front wheels straight-ahead. Remove left side maintenance lid and cruise control switch lid. Note position of all connectors. Disconnect cruise control, horn and radio switch, if equipped. (Scheme 9), (Scheme 10) or (Scheme 11). Remove Torx bolts and discard. Remove air bag assembly. (Scheme 8)
2. Mark steering wheel and shaft for installation reference. Remove steering wheel shaft bolt/nut. Use suitable puller to remove steering wheel.

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

Disassembly/Reassembly

Note. (Scheme 12), (Scheme 13), (Scheme 14) or (Scheme 15) for exploded views.

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

Installation

1. Align reference marks. Center cable reel by rotating cable reel clockwise until it stops. Rotate cable reel counterclockwise about 2 turns for the 3.5RL. Rotate the cable reel counterclockwise about 2 1/2 turns for the MDX, RSX, 3.2CL and the 3.2TL.
2. Arrow mark on cable reel should point straight up. (Scheme 16) Install steering wheel, ensure steering wheel shaft engages cable reel and canceling sleeve. (Scheme 17)
3. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Install air bag. Install new Torx bolts and tighten to specifications. Check horn, cruise control switch connector and radio remote switch (if equipped) for proper operation. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications). Reactivate air bag system. See «ACTIVATING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

Removal & Installation (Except 3.5RL)

1. Disable air bag system. See «DISABLING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__disabling-system) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard panel and left knee bolster, if equipped. Unplug connector from ignition switch or underdash fuse block.
2. Remove steering column mounting bolts/nuts. Lower steering column. Center-punch both shear bolts. Using a 3/16" bit, drill heads from bolts. Remove shear bolts and steering lock assembly.
3. Install new switch without key inserted. Finger-tighten new shear bolts. Insert key. Check for proper operation. Tighten shear bolts until heads break off. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Scheme 18

1. Disable air bag system. See «DISABLING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__disabling-system) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove steering column. See «STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns). File notch into shear bolt head. Set tip of chisel in notch and loosen bolt by tapping on chisel. Remove shear bolt from switch body. Insert ignition key and turn to "ACC" (1) position. Push lock pin down and pull out steering lock body from steering column. (Scheme 18)
2. Insert ignition key into new steering lock body and turn to "ACC" (1) position. Push lock pin down and insert steering lock into steering column until it clicks into place. (Scheme 18) Loosely install new shear bolt. Ensure steering wheel lock operates smoothly and ignition key turns freely. Tighten shear bolt until hex head twists off.

Removal (Except 3.5RL)

1. Deactivate air bag system. See «DISABLING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__disabling-system) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__steering-wheel-horn-pad). Remove left and right lower covers from instrument panel. Remove front console. Remove left knee bolster from steering hanger.
2. Remove steering joint cover. (Scheme 19), (Scheme 20) or (Scheme 21). Remove steering shaft joint pinch bolts. Mark steering joint and pinion shaft for installation reference. Disengage steering joint from pinion shaft by moving steering joint toward steering column.
3. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Unplug all wiring harness connectors. Remove air bag wiring harness from connector holder under steering column. Remove turn signal canceling sleeve and combination switch. (Scheme 19), (Scheme 20) or (Scheme 21). Remove steering column mounting bolts. Remove steering column assembly.

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Removal (3.5RL)

1. Deactivate air bag system. See «DISABLING SYSTEM»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__disabling-system) under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__steering-wheel-horn-pad). Remove driver's side dashboard lower cover and knee bolster. Remove the column covers. (Scheme 23) Remove the combination switch assembly from the steering column shaft by disconnecting the connectors and removing screws. (Scheme 22)
2. Disconnect the ignition switch connectors, the tilt/extend-retract motor connectors and the sensor connectors. Remove steering joint cover. Disconnect the steering joint and remove it from the column shaft.
3. Remove the steering column by removing the attaching nuts and bolt.

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

Inspection (All Models)

1. Check the steering column bearing and the steering joint bearings for play and proper movement. If any bearing is noisy or has excessive play, replace the steering column as an assembly (all models).
2. On 3.2CL, 3.2TL & MDX only, check the retaining collar for damage. If it is damaged, replace the steering column assembly. (Scheme 24)or (Scheme 26).
3. On 3.2CL and 3.2TL only, check the absorbing plates for distortion or breakage. If there is distortion or breakage, replace the steering column assembly. (Scheme 24)
4. On 3.5RL and MDX only, check the absorbing plates, absorbing plate guides and sliding capsules for distortion or breakage. The sliding capsule is attached to the column with plastic injections. (Scheme 26)or (Scheme 27).
5. On 3.5RL only, for tilt/extend-retract motors and sensors (Driving Position Memory System) inspection, see appropriate STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. See also, (Scheme 28).
6. On RSX only, check the sliding capsules for distortion and breakage. If there is distortion or breakage replace the steering column assembly. (Scheme 25)

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

Installation (All models)

Note. Take care not to let the sliding capsules fall out of position during installation. Make sure the wires are not caught or pinched by any parts.

1. Install the steering wheel column and make sure the wires are not caught or pinched by any parts. Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering shaft. Line up the bolt hole with the flat portion of the shaft. (Scheme 29)(Scheme 30) (Scheme 31).
2. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft. Line up the bolt hole with the groove around the shaft, and loosely install the lower joint bolt. Be sure that the lower joint bolt is securely in the groove in the pinion shaft. (Scheme 29), (Scheme 30), (Scheme 31) or (Scheme 32).
3. Pull in the steering wheel joint to make sure that the steering wheel joint is fully seated. Then install the upper joint bolt and tighten it to specifications. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns__torque-specifications).
4. Finish installation in the reverse order of removal.

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

Scheme 31

Scheme 32

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers, dashboard lower panel and knee bolster, if equipped. Unplug wiper/washer wiring harness connectors. Remove 2 screws and wiper/washer switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• DISABLING SYSTEM
• STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD