Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Removal & Installation Dodge Durango I

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Disable air bag system. See «AIR BAG DISABLING»(ref-91718-S25059547692001032800000) . Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Remove nuts mounting air bag module to steering wheel. Remove screws securing cruise control switch to steering wheel (if equipped).
2. Disconnect wiring connectors. Remove air bag module and cruise control switch assembly. Pry trim covers from back of steering wheel, and remove horn switch mounting screws. Disconnect horn wires. Remove horn switch.
3. Remove steering wheel retaining nut. Reference mark steering wheel and steering shaft. Using puller, remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure. Align marks made during removal. Tighten steering wheel retaining nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-91718-S19726842142001032800000) .

Removal & Installation (Dakota & Durango)

1. Disable air bag system. See «AIR BAG DISABLING»(ref-91718-S25059547692001032800000) . Position front wheels straight ahead. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. On column shift models, remove link rod from bushing in shift lever. Discard bushing. Remove steering wheel using an appropriate puller. See «HORN PAD & STEERING WHEEL»(ref-91718-S37901975362001032800000) .
2. Remove steering column opening cover and knee blocker. Remove tilt lever (if equipped). Remove upper and lower shroud. Disconnect shift cable by unsnapping shift cable clip from shift lever and remove from cable bracket.
3. Remove turn signal multifunction switch connector. Remove remaining electrical connections from column switches. Remove upper steering shaft coupler bolt, and slide shaft down. Remove steering column mounting bolts. Remove column from vehicle. Remove clockspring, switches and key cylinder.
4. To install column, install switches, clockspring and key cylinder. Position column into panel bracket and attaching studs. Install, but only loosely assemble mounting bolts. Firmly slide steering column upward against studs in dash panel and hand tighten nuts. Install steering shaft coupler onto steering shaft and install a NEW bolt.
5. Tighten column mounting nuts. Ensure shift lever is in Park, and snap shift cable adjustment clip into place. To complete installation, reverse installation. Connect negative battery cable. Check operation of automatic transmission shift linkage and adjust as necessary. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-91718-S19726842142001032800000) .

Removal & Installation (Ram Pickup, Ram Van/Wagon)

1. Disable air bag system. See «AIR BAG DISABLING»(ref-91718-S25059547692001032800000) . Position front wheels in straight-ahead position. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. On column shift models, remove link rod from bushing in shift lever. Discard bushing. On all models, remove steering wheel using an appropriate puller. See «HORN PAD & STEERING WHEEL»(ref-91718-S37901975362001032800000) .
2. Remove fuse access panel and lower column cover. Remove Data Link Connector (DLC), hood release lever and parking brake release lever from knee blocker. Remove column shrouds, key cylinder. Remove knee blocker. Disconnect wiring and airbag harness. Unsnap cable adjust clip.
3. Remove shift cable from column shift lever actuator. Release shift cable from column bracket, and remove it from bracket. Remove upper steering shaft coupler bolt, and slide shaft down. Remove steering column mounting nuts. Remove steering column assembly from vehicle.
4. To install column, install switches, clockspring and key cylinder. Position column into panel bracket and attaching studs. Install, but loosely assemble mounting bolts. Firmly slide steering column upward against studs into dash panel and hand tighten nuts. Install steering shaft coupler onto steering shaft and install a NEW bolt.
5. Tighten column mounting nuts. Ensure shift lever is in Park position, and snap shift cable adjustment clip into place. To complete installation, reverse installation. Connect negative battery cable. Check operation of automatic transmission shift linkage and adjust as necessary. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-91718-S19726842142001032800000) .

Removal & Installation (Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager)

1. Position front wheels straight ahead. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Remove lower shroud. Remove traction off switch. Remove upper shroud. Remove cluster trim bezel. Remove knee blocker. Remove parking brake handle link. Remove knee blocker reinforcement.
2. Disable air bag system. See «AIR BAG DISABLING»(ref-91718-S25059547692001032800000) . Remove retaining nut. Remove vibration damper weight. Remove steering wheel using an appropriate puller. See «HORN PAD & STEERING WHEEL»(ref-91718-S37901975362001032800000) .
3. Disconnect wiring harness connectors from clockspring, multifuction switch, halo lamp, SKIM mode, ignition switch and BTSI solenoid. Disconnect shift cable at lever. Remove pinch side clip, then remove cable from bracket on column.
4. Remove pinch bolt coupling. loosen lower mounting nuts. Remove upper mounting nuts. Remove steering column. Remove clockspring. Remove mounting plate with multifunction switch. Remove halo-lamp. Remove ignition key cylinder. Remove BTSI.
5. To Install, reverse removal procedures. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-91718-S19726842142001032800000) .

Removal & Installation (Dakota, Durango, Ram Pickup & Ram Van/Wagon)

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Disable air bag system. See «AIR BAG DISABLING»(ref-91718-S25059547692001032800000). Remove lower and upper shrouds. Remove key cylinder. Disconnect lower clockspring connectors. Remove wire retainer, from tilt lever bracket. Remove tilt lever mounting screws, to gain access to ignition switch mounting screws.
2. For column without tilt, remove bracket to gain access to ignition switch mounting screws. (Scheme 2) Disconnect electrical connector at rear of ignition switch. Remove ignition switch mounting screw. Using a small screwdriver, push on locking tab and remove switch from steering column.
3. Before installing ignition switch, rotate slot in switch to ON position. Connect electrical connector into rear of ignition switch. Ensure locking tabs are fully seated into wiring connector. Position switch onto column, and install tamper proof screw. Tighten screw to 106 INCH lbs. (12 N.m). Install tilt lever bracket mounting screws. If column is equipped with non-tilt, install bracket. To complete installation, reverse removal procedures.

Scheme 2

Note. Ignition key must be in key cylinder for cylinder removal.

Disconnect negative cable from battery. Remove upper and lower shrouds from steering column. Place shifter in Park. A retaining pin is located at side of key cylinder assembly. (Scheme 3)Rotate ignition switch to RUN position. Press in on retaining pin while puling key cylinder from ignition switch. To install, reverse removal procedures.

Scheme 3

Remove knee blocker. Lower column enough to allow clearance for gear shift lever removal. Remove upper and lower shroud. Disconnect overdrive switch harness, if equipped. Disconnect shift cable and unsnap cable adjust clip from pin. Remove gear shift lever mounting screws and remove lever. To install, reverse removal procedures.

Remove knee blocker and reinforcement. Remove upper and lower shroud. Remove cluster trim bezel. Remove fixed shroud from column. Disconnect electrical connector to BTSI. Remove 2o screws securing BTSI to steering column. Disconnect SKIM electrical wire connector. Remove SKIM from steering column. Disconnect autostick wiring connector, if equipped. Disconnect shifter cable at shifter. Remove screws securing shifter to steering column. Remove shift lever from column. To install, reverse removal procedures.