Steering Column - Tilt Dodge Aries I

DESCRIPTION

Saginaw steering columns are available with both floor shift and column shift vehicles. Construction and maintenance of both columns is the same except for addition of shift lever, tube and related components on column shift models. Both types of steering columns are available in 3 configurations: Standard fixed position column, tilt column with 6 positions, and tilt and telescope column designed to tilt, extend and retract.

All steering columns are designed with an integral ignition lock switch. This lock secures the steering wheel, and shift linkage on column shift models, to prevent theft.

Columns have a 2 piece telescoping transmission gear shift tube interconnected by plastic inserts and shear pins, and a 2 piece telescoping steering shaft with upper and lower sections connected by plastic collars and pins. A mounting bracket connecting steering column and instrument panel, allows column to slide forward on impact, but blocks rearward movement towards driver.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

Column Support Bracket

Damage of bracket is indicated by separation of 2 break-away capsules which allow column to slip forward under severe impact. If capsules have moved more than 1/16" (1.6 mm), some column collapse may have occurred. Inspect column for collapsed jacket or damaged steering shaft components. Replace any collapsed or damaged parts.

Column Mounting Bracket. Scheme 1

Column Jacket

Inspect jacket section of column for looseness, bends, collapsed mesh or bellows section.

Shifter Shaft

Shift tube or shaft assembly cannot be visually inspected without column disassembly. On models with automatic transmissions and column shifts, check operation of shift lever. If lever can be moved to "PARK" position without raising lever, it is an indication that upper shift tube plastic bearing is broken.

Steering Shaft

Inspect intermediate and steering column shafts for injected plastic pins being sheared. The shafts will rattle when tapped lightly from side. By holding coupling, some free play may also be felt when rotating steering wheel.

Flexible Coupling

Steering gear and column shaft must be in alignment to avoid binding at coupling or metal-to-metal contact between shaft flanges. An improperly aligned column or steering gear may cause increased turning effort, directional pointing, lumpiness or popping noise.

A hissing noise common to rotary valve power gears can be carried through steering shaft and inside vehicle if metal-to-metal contact exists at coupling. Coupling flange components should have at least 1/16" to 1/8" (1.6-3.2 mm) operating clearance at all times.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Removal

1. Position front wheels straight ahead, and center steering wheel. Disconnect negative battery cable. Scribe an alignment mark on shafts and disconnect flexible coupling or pot joint. Remove flex coupling shield, if equipped. Remove transmission shift rod from shift lever on steering column. NOTE: Grommet must always be replaced once shift rod has been removed. This is a safety item.
2. Move seat as far back as possible. Remove lower instrument trim panel. If equipped with column shift, disconnect shift indicator cable from shift bowl. Disconnect column switch wiring harnesses. If equipped with automatic parking brake release, disconnect vacuum lines.
3. Remove cover and toe plate. Support column and remove column mounting bracket securing nuts. Notice number and position of shims, if equipped. Remove bracket and store in a safe place to protect the break away capsules. Remove column from automobile.

Installation

Note. Correct column installation is important to prevent stress on collapsible components during mounting.

1. Install column through floor pan. Align steering shaft marks, and engage flex coupling. Hand tighten fasteners. Install roll pin, if equipped. Connect column switch wiring harnesses. If equipped, install shims and raise column to mounting bracket.
2. Loosely install bracket fasteners to support steering column to instrument panel. Install toe pan and cover. Connect shift indicator cable. Ensure good alignment and tighten flex coupling fasteners. Install transmission rod to shift lever, after replacing grommet. Tighten mounting bracket fasteners. CAUTION: DO NOT tighten column mounting nuts unless vehicle is on its wheels or supported by suspension.
3. Connect vacuum lines, if equipped. Install lower instrument trim panel. Connect negative battery cable. Test for proper operation of steering column and shifter mechanism.

STEERING COLUMN DISASSEMBLY

Note. Steering column removal is not necessary if the lockplate cover, lockplate, steering shaft snap ring, canceling cam, turn signal switch, upper bearing preload spring or lock cylinder is to be serviced. For the remaining components, steering column must be removed. Disassembly and reassembly procedures for standard and tilt columns are similar. Some procedures for tilt columns do not apply to standard columns. If in doubt as to whether or not a part or procedure applies to the column being serviced (Scheme 5)and Fig. (Scheme 8).

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

1. Position front wheels straight ahead and center steering wheel. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove horn pad and steering wheel. Remove column. Attach column to holding fixture (J-23074), or equivalent and place in vise. Remove steering shaft lock cover.
2. Remove tilt release lever and turn signal switch lever. Remove hazard warning knob. Remove wiper switch knob, if equipped. Install Compressing Tool (J-23653) on steering shaft and remove lock plate "C" ring.
3. Remove lock plate, canceling cam and upper bearing preload spring. Remove turn signal switch. Pull switch straight up, guiding wire harness and cover through column housing. If equipped, remove key lamp and dimmer switch actuator arm. (Scheme 2): Ignition Lock Cylinder Removal (Retaining Screw Type)
4. Insert key and turn ignition switch to "ON" position. Remove key warning buzzer switch retainer clips and buzzer switch. DO NOT drop buzzer retainer clip into column.
5. Turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position. Insert a thin screwdriver and depress spring latch, or, remove screw to release lock cylinder. Remove lock cylinder by pulling it out. (Scheme 3): Ignition Lock Cylinder Mechanism Removal (Retaining Tab Type)
6. Remove fasteners securing lock housing cover to steering column housing and remove lock housing. If equipped with washer/wiper switch, use punch to remove pivot pin, then lift out pivot assembly. (Scheme 4): Removing Tilt Spring Retainer (Scheme 5): Exploded View of Saginaw Standard Column
7. Insert tilt lever, place column in full tilt "UP" position. Insert screwdriver, press in and turn counterclockwise until ears align with grooves in housing. Remove tilt spring retainer. Remove ignition switch.
8. If equipped, remove dimmer switch, it is released from actuator rod by rotating housing. Place column in center position, and using Tool (J-21854-1), or equivalent, remove pivot pins. Push upper steering shaft in, and remove steering shaft inner race seat and inner race. (Scheme 6): Tilt Column Pivot Pin Removal
9. Using tilt release lever, to release load, disengage lock shoes. Rotate bearing housing clockwise to separate lock rack from actuator rod. Remove coupling from lower end of steering shaft. Remove steering shaft from upper end.
10. Disassemble steering shaft by removing center spheres and anti-lash spring. Remove ignition switch actuator rod. Remove fasteners securing support to lock plate. Remove support from end of column jacket.
11. If necessary, remove 2 attaching screws and shift gate from support. The dimmer switch actuator rod is removed with support. Remove shift tube retaining ring with screwdriver. Remove thrust washer.
12. On some models, use a small screwdriver, on others, use a twisting motion, carefully separate shift tube shroud from lower end of jacket. Remove key release lever and spring from shroud. Tip lever forward and lift up to remove.
13. If necessary, use Tool (J-23072) or equivalent, to remove shift tube from bowl. Insert bushing on end of tool in shift tube and force tube out of bowl. Remove shift tube from jacket from lower end.
14. Remove jacket mounting plate by sliding out of jacket notches and tipping down toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening. Remove wave washer. Remove bowl from jacket. Remove shift lever spring from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling out.

BEARING HOUSING

1. Remove lock bolt spring by removing spring retaining screw and moving spring clockwise to remove from bolt. With a small hammer and small drift, lightly tap drive shaft from sector.
2. Remove drive shaft, sector, and bolt. Remove rack and rack spring. Remove shim, if equipped. Remove tilt release lever pin with punch and hammer. Remove lever and lever release spring.
3. Remove lock shoe pin with drift and hammer. Remove lock shoes and lock shoe springs. Remove bearings from bearing housing, only if they are to be replaced. Remove separator and balls from bearing.
4. Place housing on work surface. With a pointed punch against back surface of race, carefully hammer race out of housing. Repeat for other race. DO NOT reuse bearings.

Support & Shift Tube Mounting. Scheme 7

Exploded View of Saginaw Tilt & Telescope Column. Scheme 8

REASSEMBLY

1. On GM and AMC models, if equipped, install key release lever and spring into shroud and install retainer plate. On all models, Use an arbor press to install bearings into housing, if removed. Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin into housing. Using a .180" (4.5 mm) pin, align shoes for pin installation.
2. Relieve load on release lever, and install spring, release lever, and pin into bearing housing. Install drive shaft into housing. Lightly tap sector onto shaft, far enough to bottom on drive shaft.
3. Install lock bolt and engage with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack to engage block tooth on sector. Install external tilt release lever.
4. Install lock bolt spring, and spring retaining screw. Tighten screw to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). On Chrysler models, install shift lever spring in bowl by winding up with pliers and pushing in. On all models, slide bowl onto jacket.

Scheme 9

1. Install wave washer and jacket mounting plate in place. Work jacket mounting plate into notches in jacket by tipping jacket mounting plate toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening. Slide jacket mounting plate into notches in jacket.
2. If previously removed, carefully install shift tube into lower end of jacket. Align key in tube with keyway in bowl. Use Tool (J-23073), or equivalent, to pull shift tube into bowl. DO NOT tap on end of shift tube.
3. Install thrust washer and retaining ring by pulling bowl up, to compress wave washer. Slide dimmer switch actuator rod through hole in support. Install support by aligning "U" in support with "U" notch in jacket. (Scheme 9): Shift Tube Installation Install tool and turn nut to press shift bowl onto tube.
4. Insert 4 screws through support into lock plate. Tighten screws to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Slide ignition actuator rod between bowl and jacket. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring into upper steering shaft.
5. Install lower steering shaft from same side of spheres that spring ends protrude. Make a trial assembly of shaft couplings to ensure that master serration of upper shaft will align with master serration of pot coupling.
6. Hold lock shoes in disengaged position. Install bearing housing over steering shaft until pivot pin holes align with holes in support. Ensure rack has engaged actuator rod.
7. Install pivot pins, using hand pressure, to prevent broaching of support pivot holes. Tap with a small hammer and drift to complete installation. Place housing in full "UP" position.
8. Install guide and peg on support. Install tilt spring and spring retainer. Using a screwdriver, turn retainer clockwise to engage. Install inner bearing race and seat. Install tilt lever opening shield in housing, if equipped.
9. Remove tilt release lever, install housing cover, and seat screw at 12 o'clock position. Tighten 3 screws to 100 INCH lbs. (11 N.m). Install buzzer/ chime switch to spring clip with spring bowed away from switch on side opposite contact.
10. Push switch and spring into hole in cover with contacts toward lock cylinder. Install key lamp, if equipped. Install turn signal switch. Feed wires and connector through cover, bearing housing, and shift bowl.
11. Install hazard warning knob. Install canceling cam, cam spring, and shaft lock plate. Using Tool (J-23653), or equivalent, depress lock plate and install new retaining ring.
12. Reinstall tilt release lever and turn signal switch lever. Install upper shift lever and drive in pivot pin. Position shaft lock cover over lock. Snap into position by pressing on outer edges.
13. To install ignition lock, turn key to "LOCK" position and remove key. This will cause buzzer operating lever to retract in cylinder. Slide ignition switch to "LOCK" position, second detent from bottom.
14. Insert cylinder into housing far enough to contact drive shaft. Press inward and move ignition switch actuator rod up and down to align parts. When parts align, cylinder will move inward and a spring loaded retainer will snap into place locking the cylinder into housing.
15. Push ignition switch lightly down column, away from lock housing, to take out lash in actuator rod. Tighten mounting screws to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). Install wire protector over wires on column jacket. Be careful not to pinch any wires. To complete assembly, refer to «STEERING COLUMN R & I»(/dodge/aries/i-1981-1989/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-tilt) in this article.
16. On Chrysler and GM models, to install dimmer switch, firmly seat actuator rod into switch. On Chrysler models, depress switch until 2, 3/32" drill can be inserted into alignment holes. On GM models, depress switch until 1, 3/32" drill can be inserted. Reposition upper end of push rod in pocket of washer/wiper switch. With light upward pressure on switch, to remove lash, install and tighten 2 screws on switch. Remove drills. The switch should click when lever is lifted.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• STEERING COLUMN R & I