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

Removal

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Wait 2 minutes. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Turn ignition key (lock cylinder) to lock position and remove key from lock cylinder.
2. Remove cruise control switches from steering wheel to gain access to air bag module bolts. (Scheme 2) If vehicle is not equipped with cruise control, pry out covers from side of steering wheel. Remove air bag module bolts.
3. Carefully lift air bag module from steering wheel. Disconnect wiring harness from rear of air bag module. Remove air bag module from steering wheel. Place air bag module on bench with trim cover up, away from bench surface. Remove steering wheel nut. Remove steering wheel using puller.

Installation

1. Install steering wheel and tighten steering wheel nut to specification. Connect air bag module wiring. Install air bag module. DO NOT pinch any wires. Install and tighten air bag module bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52761-S24640301692001011600000) .
2. Connect cruise control switch wiring and install switches on steering wheel (if equipped). Install air bag fuses. Connect negative battery cable. Check operation of all steering column operated components.

Scheme 2

Removal & Installation

Cruise control switches are mounted in steering wheel and are wired through clockspring under air bag module See STEERING WHEEL & AIR BAG .

Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Turn ignition on. Using hole in lower shroud, depress lock cylinder retaining tab. Remove key cylinder. Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. Disconnect ignition switch wiring harness connector. Remove ignition switch mounting screw. Depress retaining tabs and pull ignition switch out of steering column.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure ignition switch is in RUN position. A tab on ignition switch aligns with a notch in lock cylinder housing. A slot in end of ignition switch fits over shaft in end of lock cylinder housing. Use ignition key to rotate lock cylinder to align ignition switch with lock cylinder housing.

1. Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Wait 2 minutes. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Turn ignition key (lock cylinder) to lock position and remove key from lock cylinder.
2. Remove cruise control switches from steering wheel to gain access to air bag module bolts. (Scheme 2) If vehicle is not equipped with cruise control, pry out covers from side of steering wheel. Remove air bag module bolts.
3. Carefully lift air bag module from steering wheel. Disconnect wiring harness from rear of air bag module. Remove air bag module from steering wheel. Place air bag module on bench with trim cover up, away from bench surface. Remove steering wheel nut. Remove steering wheel using puller.
4. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Using hole in lower shroud, push lock cylinder retaining tab. Remove key lock cylinder from steering column. Remove upper and lower shroud from steering column.
5. Tilt steering column to full down position. Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. Remove upper-to-lower steering column pinch bolt. Disconnect upper steering coupler from lower steering coupler. (Scheme 3)
6. Remove lower steering column bearing housing-to-lower steering column through-bolt. (Scheme 4) Remove upper steering column support bracket nuts. Lower steering column assembly. Disconnect all wiring harness connectors. Remove steering column assembly.

Note. If vehicle is involved in frontal impact collision, lower steering coupler must be replaced.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

1. Ensure ground clip is installed on column bracket (if removed). Install steering column wiring harness. Ensure wiring harness is routed through clips on multifunction switch and on side of clockspring.
2. Ensure steering column wiring harness is taut and does not interfere with column shift actuator in low gear. Slide steering column assembly onto lower steering column bracket bolts. DO NOT tighten bolts at this time.
3. Raise steering column and install upper steering column bracket nuts and washers. DO NOT tighten nuts at this time. Temporarily install upper and lower steering column shrouds and center instrument panel outlet bezel.
4. Center steering column shrouds in instrument panel opening with steering column tilted up. Ensure both break-away capsules are fully seated in slots of steering column upper support bracket.
5. Hold steering column in place and tighten steering column bracket bolts/nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52761-S24640301692001011600000) . Remove upper and lower steering column shrouds. Attach steering column shaft coupling and tighten coupling bolt to specification.
6. Install steering column shaft coupling bolt pin. Turn ignition key (lock cylinder) to RUN position. Check steering column jacket clearance by tilting steering column up and down. Install shift cable on shift mechanism. Install upper and lower steering column shrouds.
7. Install tilt lever. Install steering wheel and tighten steering wheel nut to specification. Connect air bag module wiring. Install air bag module being careful not to pinch any wires. Install and tighten air bag module bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52761-S24640301692001011600000) .
8. Connect cruise control switch wiring and install switches on steering wheel (if equipped). Connect negative battery cable. Check operation of all steering column operated components. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of steering column.