Steering Column - Standard Toyota Corolla VI

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

Steering column is a collapsible 2-piece design. Columns use shear pins to absorb collision impact. Steering shaft is connected directly to steering gear with either a flexible coupling or "U" joint.

Note. For models with tilt wheel steering columns, see STEERING COLUMN - TILT articles.

SPIRAL CABLE

Ensure front wheels are in a straight-ahead position. Turn spiral cable COUNTERCLOCKWISE by hand until it becomes harder to turn cable. Turn spiral cable CLOCKWISE 2 1/2 turns and ensure RED marks align and are visible through inspection hole. (Scheme 1)

Scheme 1

STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE

Scheme 2

1. Ensure front wheels are in a straight-ahead position. Turn ignition off. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove driver's side scuff plate.
2. Remove engine hood release lever. Remove screw covers, 6 screws, and lower instrument cluster trim panel(s). Loosen 4 steering wheel pad Torx screws until groove along screw circumference catches on screw case. (Scheme 2)
3. Pull steering wheel pad from steering wheel and disconnect air bag. Remove steering wheel pad assembly. Place steering wheel pad assembly on a flat surface with pad cover facing up.
4. Place a mark on steering wheel and main shaft for installation reference. Using steering wheel puller, remove steering wheel. Remove 4 screws from upper and lower steering column covers. Remove screws attaching spiral cable to combination (headlight/turn signal/wiper) switch. Disconnect spiral cable and remove from vehicle.

Installation

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Before installing spiral cable, ensure spiral cable is properly aligned. See «ADJUSTMENTS»(/toyota/corolla/vi-1987-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) in this article.
2. After steering wheel pad and spiral cable are installed, ensure proper operation of air bag system by turning ignition switch to ACC or ON position. AIR BAG warning light should come on and go out after approximately 6 seconds.
3. If AIR BAG warning light stays on for more than 6 seconds, the air bag system is malfunctioning and needs repair. If AIR BAG warning light comes on with ignition on, a short circuit is likely in the AIR BAG warning light circuit.

Removal & Installation (Except Celica)

Remove screw securing horn pad and remove horn pad. Disconnect horn electrical connector(s). Remove lock nut and washer. Make alignment mark on steering shaft and steering wheel for installation reference. Install steering wheel puller and pull steering wheel from shaft. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal & Installation

Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE in this article. Remove instrument cluster lower trim panel. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Disconnect combination switch electrical connector. Remove screws securing combination switch to steering column and remove combination switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Removal

1. Remove steering wheel, upper and lower steering column covers and combination switch (if necessary). Disconnect ignition switch harness connectors.
2. If the shear bolt studs are accessible, use a hacksaw to cut a slot into the exposed studs. Using a screwdriver, remove the studs.
3. If the shear bolt studs are recessed or hard to reach with a hacksaw, center punch studs. Using a drill bit and a screw extractor, remove studs. Remove steering lock and ignition switch.

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install new shear bolts. Tighten shear bolts finger tight. Ensure proper operation of steering lock and ignition switch.
2. Tighten shear bolts until heads break off. Install combination switch, upper and lower steering column covers and steering wheel.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel pad. Mark steering shaft and wheel for installation reference. Remove steering wheel.
2. Remove instrument cluster lower trim panel. Remove air duct from under steering column (if equipped). Remove steering column upper and lower covers. Remove combination (headlight/turn signal/wiper) switch.
3. On passenger cars, mark "U" joint and shaft for installation reference. Remove bolt(s) and disconnect "U" joint from bottom of steering column shaft. Remove bolts securing steering column.
4. On Pickup and 4Runner, mark steering gearbox and steering column shaft for installation reference. Remove bolts securing steering column. On all models, remove steering column from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Disassembly (Camry & Corolla)

Drill out tapered head bolts and use a screw extractor to remove column bracket bolts. Remove upper steering column bracket. Remove thrust stopper set bolts, snap ring, and steering column main shaft. (Scheme 3)or (Scheme 4). Use a screwdriver to remove snap ring from thrust stopper. Remove thrust stopper.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Inspection (Camry & Corolla)

Ensure lock mechanism operates properly. Check upper bracket for damage and bearings for rotating smoothness. Check steering shafts for bending, damaged splines, or damaged "U" joints. Check column tube for bending or other damage. Repair or replace components as necessary.

Reassembly (Camry & Corolla)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to thrust stopper. Install upper bracket with tapered head bolts. Tighten bolts until hexagonal head breaks off.

Scheme 5

1. Drill out tapered head bolts and use a screw extractor to remove column bracket bolts. (Scheme 5) Remove upper steering column bracket and column tube. Remove upper and lower snap rings.
2. Remove steering column main shaft. Remove collar from main shaft. Place ignition key lock in ACC position. Push down on stop pin and pull out key cylinder. Use a screwdriver to remove upper and lower bushings.

Inspection (Celica)

Check that lock mechanism operates properly. Check upper bracket for damage and upper bearing for rotating smoothness. Check steering shafts for bending, damaged splines, or damaged "U" joints. Check column tube for bending or other damage. Repair or replace components as necessary.

Reassembly (Celica)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Align bushing tab with hole of column tube. Install upper bracket with tapered head bolts. Tighten bolts until hexagonal head breaks off.

Scheme 6

1. Disconnect intermediate shaft from steering column main shaft. Remove bolts and dust seal. (Scheme 6) Remove steering column hole cover. Remove steering column protector. Remove snap ring and pull out steering column main shaft (ignition key not at LOCK position).
2. Drill out tapered head bolts and use a screw extractor to remove column bracket bolts. Remove upper steering column bracket. Use a screwdriver to release upper bushing tab and remove upper tube.
3. Place ignition key lock in ACC position. Push down on stop pin and pull out key cylinder. Use a screwdriver to remove upper and lower bushings.

Inspection (Pickup & 4Runner)

Ensure lock mechanism operates properly. Check upper bracket for damage and upper bearing for rotating smoothness. Check steering column shaft for bending, damaged splines or "U" joints. Check column tube for bending or other damage. Repair or replace components as necessary.

Reassembly (Pickup & 4Runner)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Align upper and lower bushing tabs with holes of upper tube. Install upper bracket with tapered head bolts. Tighten bolts until hexagonal head breaks off.

Scheme 7

1. Drill out tapered head bolts and use a screw extractor to remove column bracket bolts. (Scheme 7) Remove upper steering column bracket. Remove snap ring and tap out steering column main shaft.
2. Use a screwdriver to release upper bushing tab and remove upper tube. Place ignition key lock in ACC position. Push down on stop pin and pull out key cylinder. Use a screwdriver to remove upper and lower bushings.

Inspection (Tercel)

Ensure lock mechanism operates properly. Check upper bracket for damage and upper bearing for rotating smoothness. Check steering shafts for bending, damaged splines, or damaged "U" joints. Check column tube for bending or other damage. Repair or replace components as necessary.

Reassembly (Tercel)

To reassemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to upper bushing. Align upper and lower bushing tabs with holes of upper tube. Install upper bracket with tapered head bolts. Tighten bolts until hexagonal head breaks off.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• STEERING COLUMN - TILT
• ADJUSTMENTS
• STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE