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Steering Columns Subaru Legacy BC/BJ/BF

Steering Column 7 illustrations ~1025 words

DESCRIPTION

Collapsible steering columns are used on all models. Column lower end is connected to steering gear pinion flange with a "U" joint.

TILT TIGHTENING FORCE (XT & XT6)

Adjust tilt lever so lever knob is parallel with center of column.

TELESCOPING OPERATING EFFORT (XT & XT6)

Turn adjusting screw until it makes contact. Back off adjusting screw 20-30 degrees. Tighten lock nut while holding adjusting screw in place.

Removal & Installation (Justy)

Pull off horn pad by hand. Remove steering wheel nut. Using a puller, remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Legacy Rigid Column)

Remove horn pad bolts, disconnect horn connector and remove horn pad. Remove steering wheel nut, and withdraw wheel from shaft using steering wheel puller. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Legacy Memory Function Column)

Remove horn pad lower screw, slide horn pad assembly forward and disconnect horn connector. Remove horn pad by pulling it. Remove steering wheel nut, and withdraw wheel from shaft using steering wheel puller. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Loyale)

Remove horn pad lower screws, slide horn pad assembly forward and disconnect horn connector. Remove horn pad by pulling it. Remove steering wheel nut, and withdraw wheel from shaft using steering wheel puller. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (XT & XT6)

Remove screws from rear of steering wheel and loosen telescopic lever. Hold concave portion of pad by hand, and pull it toward you. Loosen nut on top of steering shaft and remove telescopic lever. Using a puller, remove steering wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure.

  1. Remove steering column bracket bolts and pull down steering column. Disconnect wires from horn switch connector.
  2. Remove horn pad and steering wheel. Remove steering column cover screws. Unplug wiring connectors. Remove combination switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation (Legacy & Loyale)

  1. Remove lower instrument panel cover. Remove column covers. Disconnect wires from horn switch connector.
  2. Remove horn pad. Remove steering wheel using puller. Unplug wiring connectors. Remove combination switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.
  1. Remove lower instrument panel cover. Remove column covers. Remove steering wheel cover. Remove steering wheel using a steering wheel puller.
  2. Disconnect wiring harness from steering column. Disconnect wiring connectors. Remove combination switch from control wing. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation

Remove steering column. See STEERING COLUMN under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Disconnect ignition switch wiring connector. Cut off bolt connecting upper and lower portions of ignition switch. Remove ignition switch. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten connecting bolts until heads twists off.

CAUTIONDO NOT apply excessive pressure or impact to mainshaft. This may cause column to collapse.

Removal

  1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove "U" joint clamp bolt. Remove trim panel and air duct from under instrument panel. Separate shaft from "U" joint.
  2. Unplug ignition switch and combination switch connectors. Remove upper and lower bracket bolts. Remove steering column toward passenger compartment.

Installation

  1. Insert column through floorboard into "U" joint. Install and tighten upper bracket bolt into instrument panel. Install air duct and trim panel.
  2. Install and tighten lower column bolts. Connect electrical connectors. Tighten "U" joint clamp bolt. Check operation of steering wheel and switches.

Scheme 1

Scheme 1
Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 2
Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 3
Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Scheme 4
Scheme 4

Scheme 5

Scheme 5
Scheme 5

Note. Refer to illustrations during overhaul. (Scheme 1)-5.

Disassembly

  1. Remove horn pad retaining screw (2-spoke wheel) or screws (4-spoke wheel) from behind wheel. Pull horn pad to remove. On soft-type steering wheel, lift up horn pad from front.
  2. Remove steering wheel. Remove column covers, combination switch and horn brush. Remove lower bearing screws. Pull shaft with bearing downward. Remove snap ring, washer, "O" ring and bearing.

Inspection

  1. Ensure "U" joint has no play. Flex "U" joint and check for binding. On Justy, replace "U" joint if torque required to turn exceeds 3 INCH lbs. (.4 N.m). On all others, replace "U" joint if torque required to turn exceeds 4 INCH lbs. (.58 N.m).
  2. Check plastic washer for damage, and serration for wear. Check steering shaft dimensions. See «STEERING SHAFT SPECIFICATIONS»(/subaru/legacy/bcbjbf-1989-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns) table. (Scheme 6) Replace steering shaft if not within specifications. Check bearings for damage. Replace any worn bearings.
Application (1)In. (mm)
Justy
Shaft Length22.76-22.84 (578.2-580.2)
Upper Shaft Runout.024 (.60)
Lower Shaft Runout.047 (1.2)
Lock Collar Runout.024 (.60)
Center Rotating Diameter1.28 (32.6)
Loyale
Shaft Length33.89-33.96 (860.7-862.7).
Upper Shaft Runout.031 (.60)
Lower Shaft Runout.047 (1.2)
Lock Collar Runout.024 (.60)
Center Rotating Diameter1.28 (32.6)
XT & XT6
Shaft Length29.55-29.63 (750.1-752.1)
Telescope Pipe Runout.012 (.30)
Lower Shaft Runout.047 (1.2)
Lock Collar Runout.024 (.60)
Center Rotating Diameter1.28 (32.6)
(1) Information on Legacy is not available from manufacturer.
(1)Information on Legacy is not available from manufacturer.

STEERING SHAFT SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 6

Scheme 6
Scheme 6

Reassembly

  1. To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Lubricate shaft sliding section at lower and upper bearing and horn brush.
  2. With steering wheel in place, check clearance between steering wheel and cover. If clearance exceeds .04-.12" (1.0-3.0 mm), loosen column cover screws to adjust.

Disassembly (XT & XT6)

  1. Telescopic mechanism can be disassembled without removing steering column from vehicle. Remove horn pad, steering wheel, upper and lower column covers, harness connectors and combination switch in order to gain access to telescopic mechanism.
  2. Remove locking nut and adjusting screw from lower side of wing bracket. (Scheme 7) Slide wing bracket and telescopic shaft off column as an assembly.
  3. Remove snap ring and shaft from wing bracket. Remove telescopic locking key from keyway in telescopic shaft. Remove locking shaft and rod from shaft.

Scheme 7

Scheme 7
Scheme 7

Check all sliding surfaces for excessive wear or scratches. Check for scratches on locking keyway, locking keyway mating surface and bushing.

  1. Lubricate all sliding surfaces of telescopic assembly and inside of wing bracket. Install locking shaft and rod into shaft. Install key into keyway on telescopic shaft.
  2. Insert telescopic shaft with key into locking shaft/rod assembly. Install first snap ring on telescopic shaft in groove closest to key. Aligning slot in sleeve bushing with threaded opening, install sleeve bushing into wing bracket. Install bearing into wing bracket.
  3. Slide wing bracket with bushing over telescopic shaft. Lock bracket in place with second snap ring. Install wing bracket assembly into tilt bracket/locking shaft assembly. Ensure slot in sleeve bushing is still aligned with threaded opening of wing bracket. Lubricate tapered end of adjusting screw.
  4. Install adjusting screw and lock nut. Turn adjusting screw in until seated. Back off adjusting screw 20-30 degrees. While holding adjusting screw in position, tighten lock nut to 108-144 INCH lbs. (12-16 N.m). Check for excessive play in wing bracket.
  5. With telescopic shaft fully extended, install wiring harness, column covers and combination switch. Install steering wheel and horn pad. Check operation of combination switch, steering wheel lock, tilt mechanism and telescopic mechanism.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Justy
Column Bracket Bolt14-22 (19-30)
Steering Wheel Nut36-43 (49-59)
"U" Joint Clamp Bolt16-19 (22-26)
Legacy, Loyale, XT & XT6
Column Bracket Bolt14-22 (19-30)
Steering Wheel Nut22-29 (29-39)
"U" Joint Clamp Bolt15-20 (21-26)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Tilt Lock Nut108-144 (12-16)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• STEERING COLUMN