Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Removal & Installation

Removal

Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Wait 2 minutes. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Remove air bag module attaching bolts. (Scheme 1)
Lift module and disconnect connector using finger grips. DO NOT pull on wires or use metallic tool to pry connector. Remove cruise control switch screws from back of steering wheel. Pull switch pods out and disconnect wires.
Disconnect horn wire from air bag module bracket. Remove cruise control wires from wire guides. Remove steering wheel nut. Remove steering wheel using puller.

Installation

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-52754-S17714852252001011600000) .
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.

Scheme 1

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 negative cable from auxiliary jumper terminal on front left strut tower. Remove fuse panel cover from left end of instrument panel. Remove instrument panel top cover screw. (Scheme 2)
Pull center bezel off. Remove screws holding instrument panel top cover to center of instrument panel. Lift instrument panel top cover up to access knee bolster screw. Remove knee bolster. Pull lower steering column shroud away from ignition cylinder and key release.
Slide lower shroud forward and remove from column. Tilt steering wheel down and remove upper shroud. Remove combination switch mounting screws. Turn ignition switch to ON position.
Using a screwdriver, press lock cylinder retaining tab and remove key cylinder. (Scheme 3) Disconnect connectors from ignition switch. Remove ignition switch mounting screw. Press retaining tabs and remove ignition switch.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure ignition switch is in the ON 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.

Scheme 2

Scheme 2: Installation

Scheme 3

Disconnect negative cable from auxiliary jumper terminal on front left strut tower. Remove UPPER steering column shroud. Turn ignition switch to ON position.
Pull lower steering column shroud away from ignition cylinder to access lock cylinder retaining tab. (Scheme 3) Press retaining tabs and remove ignition switch.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure ignition switch is in the ON position. Use ignition key to rotate lock cylinder to align ignition switch with lock cylinder housing.

Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Remove steering wheel and air bag module. See «STEERING WHEEL & AIR BAG»(ref-52754-S20178221102001011600000). Remove upper and lower shroud from steering column. Remove knee bolster. Remove clockspring wiring harness connector. (Scheme 4) Remove ignition switch and combination switch wiring harness connectors.
On A/T equipped models, turn ignition switch to OFF position. Press locking tab on ignition shift interlock (if equipped). (Scheme 5) Remove ignition shift interlock cable from ignition housing. On all models, remove upper-to-lower steering column pinch bolt. Separate upper-to-lower steering column.
Ensure steering column tilt lever is in the fully locked position. Install 7/32" drill bit in each lock pin hole on upper steering column mounting bracket. (Scheme 6) Remove 2 upper steering column mounting bracket nuts. Remove steering column assembly through driver's side door.

Install steering column on mounting bracket. Tighten 2 lower bolts. Ensure both break-away capsules are fully seated in slots of steering column upper support bracket. (Scheme 7)
Hold steering column in place and tighten steering column bracket bolts/nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52754-S17714852252001011600000). Remove 2 drill bits. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position and serration in steering column is in 12 o'clock position.
Attach steering column shaft coupling and tighten coupling bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52754-S17714852252001011600000). On A/T equipped models, install shift interlock cable on ignition housing. On all models, install clockspring on switch housing.
Install steering column wiring harness. Install steering column shrouds. Center clockspring by depressing locking pins to disengage lock mechanism. Keep lock mechanism disengaged while rotating clockspring CLOCKWISE to the end of travel.
After clockspring is fully rotated, slowly rotate rotor counterclockwise until Yellow appears in clockspring centering window. When Yellow appears in centering window, the arrow on clockspring rotor will be pointing at Yellow window.
Engage clockspring lock mechanism. Ensure wiring harness is routed through hole in steering wheel. Position steering wheel on steering column shaft. Connect clockspring ground wire on air bag mounting bracket in steering wheel.
Tighten steering wheel retaining nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52754-S17714852252001011600000). Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Check operation of all steering column operated components. Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation of steering column.