Steering Column - Tilt Toyota Corolla VI

DESCRIPTION

Tilt steering wheels incorporate an upper steering shaft, attached by a "U" joint, with an intermediate steering shaft. These shafts are held in place by upper and lower brackets. Brackets are pinned together so upper bracket can move up or down. Upper bracket is locked in place by pawl attached to lever. Steering columns are collapsible.

SPIRAL CABLE ADJUSTMENT

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 2.5 turns and ensure RED marks align and are visible through inspection hole. (Scheme 8)

Scheme 8

STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE

Removal (Celica & Supra)

1. Ensure front wheels are in a straight-ahead position. Turn ignition off. Disconnect negative battery cable. On Celica, remove driver's side scuff plate.
2. Remove engine hood release lever. Remove screw covers, 6 screws and lower instrument cluster trim panel(s). On all models, loosen 4 steering wheel pad Torx screws until groove along screw circumference catches on screw case. (Scheme 9)
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 upward.
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 spiral cable-to-combination (headlight/turn signal/wiper) switch screws. 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 SPIRAL CABLE ADJUST 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, air bag system is malfunctioning and needs repair. If AIR BAG warning light comes on with ignition on, a short circuit is likely in AIR BAG warning light circuit.

Scheme 9

Removal & Installation (Camry, Corolla & Cressida)

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 or STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD in this article. Remove instrument cluster lower trim panel. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Disconnect combination switch electrical connector. Remove combination switch-to-steering column screws. 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. If shear bolt studs are accessible, use a hacksaw to cut a slot into exposed studs.
2. Remove studs using a screwdriver. If shear bolt studs are recessed or hard to reach with a hacksaw, use a center punch on studs. Using drill bit and screw extractor, remove studs. Remove steering lock and ignition switch.

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

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. Mark "U" joint and shaft for installation reference. Remove bolt(s) and disconnect "U" joint from bottom of steering column shaft. Remove steering column bolts and steering column. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Disassembly (Camry)

1. Remove bolt from main shaft. (Scheme 11) Remove 2 thrust stopper set bolts. Pull intermediate shaft from column tube. Remove 4 bolts. Remove column tube. Tilt main shaft upward. Using a screwdriver, pry cord tip to remove spring and cord.
2. Using a screwdriver, push main shaft. Using snap ring pliers, remove snap ring. Pull out main shaft. Remove spring collar from main shaft. Remove 2 tension springs. Remove tilt lever bolt, collar and cushion. Remove 2 nuts and tilt lever retainer. Remove tilt pawl spacer and pin. Remove stopper bolt nut and column cover support.
3. Using a hammer, tap out stopper bolt and cushion. Remove column upper bracket nut and set bolt. Temporarily install a nut to serration bolt end. Using a hammer, tap on nut to remove serration bolt from break-away bracket. Remove upper bracket.
4. Remove 2 collars, shim and tilt levers from upper bracket. Remove adjusting memory cover. Loosen upper tube tapered head bolt. Remove 3 bolts. Remove upper tube. Remove thrust stopper snap ring. Remove thrust stopper. Remove "O" ring from thrust stopper.

Inspection

Ensure lock mechanism operates properly. Check main shaft 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

1. Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to thrust stopper. Select appropriate tilt lever and control lever collar to eliminate free play. Collars are available in diameters of .7082-.7085" (17.989-17.996 mm) to .7093-.7096" (18.017-18.024 mm).
2. Drive serrated bolt into support. Install tilt lever retainer. Select appropriate tilt lever retainer collar to eliminate free play. Tilt lever retainer collar is available in 2 diameters of .7080-.7087" (17.982-18.000 mm) or .7087-.7094" (18.000-18.018 mm). Select a steering support shim which fits snugly when pressed in by hand. See TILT STEERING SUPPORT SHIM THICKNESS table (CAMRY). Ensure main shaft locks securely in all positions.

TILT STEERING SUPPORT SHIM THICKNESS (CAMRY)

Disassembly (Celica)

1. Drill out tapered head bolts. Using a screw extractor, remove column bracket bolts. Remove upper steering column bracket. (Scheme 12) Remove compression spring bolt. Remove compression spring.
2. Remove bushings from compression spring. Remove 3 tension springs. Remove 2 tilt lever "E" rings from tilt lever lock shaft. Remove tilt lever spacer. Remove 2 nuts from tilt steering bolts. Remove 2 tilt lever retainers and 2 pawl stoppers.
3. Remove tilt pawl nut and washers. Pull out tilt pawl bolt. Remove tilt lever assembly installation bolt. Remove 2 tilt pawls. Remove tilt lever, tilt sub lever and tilt lever assembly from tilt lever lock shaft.
4. Install a nut (10 mm x 1.25 mm), washer (36-mm outer diameter), and a 2" (50 mm) bolt (10 mm x 1.25 mm) to upper column tube tilt steering bolt. Using a slide hammer, remove steering column tube tilt bolts. Remove upper column tube from lower column tube. (Scheme 10) Remove collar from main shaft.
5. Using a press, compress main shaft spring. Remove snap ring. Remove main shaft from column tube. Remove spring, thrust collar and bearing.

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.

1. Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to tilt lever assembly, lock bolt, main shaft, and steering bolt pivot points. Install steering column tube tilt bolts.
2. If upper column tube mark is "1", install hollow tipped thread bolt. If upper column tube mark is "2", install plain thread bolt. With tilt pawl and ratchet engaged, install 2 pawl stoppers. Ensure alignment marks on tilt pawl and stopper align when stopper is rotated to pawl side. If alignment marks do not align, select a different size pawl stopper. See TILT PAWL STOPPER SIZE table.

TILT PAWL STOPPER SIZE

Disassembly (Corolla)

1. Drill out tapered head bolts. Using a screw extractor, remove column bracket bolts. Remove upper steering column bracket. Remove 2 tension springs. (Scheme 10) Remove 2 compression spring bolts and compression springs.
2. Remove bushings from compression springs. Remove 2 tilt lever nuts from lock bolts. Remove retainer with 2 nuts. Remove 2 tilt pawls nuts and bolts. Remove 2 pawls with collars. Remove collar from pawl. Remove 2 pawl stoppers. Remove tilt lever, tilt sub lever and lever lock bolt.
3. Install a nut (10 mm x 1.25 mm), washer (36-mm outer diameter), and a 2" (50 mm) bolt (10 mm x 1.25 mm) to upper column tube tilt steering bolt. Using a slide hammer, remove steering column tube tilt bolts. Remove upper column tube from lower column tube. (Scheme 10) Remove stopper.
4. Using a press, compress main shaft spring. Remove snap ring. Remove main shaft from column tube. Remove spring, thrust collar and bearing. Remove snap ring. Remove wire harness clamp. Remove 3 steering support-to-column tube bolts. Remove steering support. Remove main shaft collar snap ring from lower column tube. Remove main shaft collar.

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.

Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to tilt lever assembly, lock bolt, main shaft and steering bolt pivot points. Install steering column tube tilt bolts. If upper column tube mark is "1", install plain thread bolt. If upper column tube mark is "2", install hollow tipped thread bolt. Select a tilt pawl collar which will eliminate free play. See TILT PAWL COLLAR THICKNESS table.

TILT PAWL COLLAR THICKNESS

Scheme 10

Disassembly (Cressida)

1. Drill out tapered head bolts. Using a screw extractor, remove column bracket bolts. Remove upper steering column bracket. Remove telescopic lever serration nut. (Scheme 14) Remove telescopic serration attachment. Remove telescopic lever bolt, collar, telescopic lever and washer. Remove ball and compression spring.
2. Install a double nut on telescopic lever lock bolt. Remove lock bolt. Remove steering column tube stopper bolt. Remove snap ring from main shaft. Remove break-away bracket from main shaft. Ensure spline shaft part of main shaft does not come loose.
3. Remove 2 lock wedges from break-away bracket. Remove No. 1 and No. 2 telescopic spring seats and compression spring from break-away bracket. Remove steering shaft thrust stopper from break-away bracket. Remove compression spring bolt and compression spring.
4. Remove 2 bushings from compression spring. Remove 3 tension springs. Remove 2 tilt lever "E" rings from tilt lever lock shaft. Remove 2 tilt lever nuts from tilt steering bolts. Remove 2 tilt lever retainers and 2 steering pawl stoppers.
5. Remove steering tilt pawl nut, washers and through bolt. Remove tilt lever assembly lock bolt. Remove tilt lever assembly, tilt lever lock shaft, tilt lever and sub tilt lever. Install a nut (10 mm x 1.25 mm), washer (36-mm outer diameter), and a 2" (50 mm) bolt (10 mm x 1.25 mm) to upper column tube tilt steering bolt. Using a slide hammer, remove steering column tube tilt bolts. Remove upper column tube from lower column tube. (Scheme 10) Remove stopper.
6. Using a press, compress main shaft spring. Remove main shaft snap ring. Remove main shaft from column tube. Remove spring, thrust collar and bearing.

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.

Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to tilt lever assembly, lock bolt, main shaft and steering bolt pivot points. Install steering column tube tilt bolts. If upper column tube mark is "1", install hollow tipped thread bolt. If upper column tube mark is "2", install plain thread bolt. Select appropriate steering pawl stopper to eliminate free play. See STEERING PAWL STOPPER SIZE table.

STEERING PAWL STOPPER SIZE

Disassembly (Supra)

1. Remove 2 steering sensor screws. Remove steering sensor. Remove ignition key light screw. Remove ignition key light. Remove 2 column hole cover bolts. Remove "O" ring and cover plate. Remove bolt from main shaft. (Scheme 15)
2. Remove 2 bolts from retainer bracket. Pull intermediate shaft from column tube. Remove 4 break-away bracket bolts. Remove column tube. Tilt main shaft upward. Using a screwdriver, pry cord tip to remove springs and cords.
3. Remove telescopic lever nut. Remove telescopic lever. Remove telescopic lever lock bolt. Remove column tube stopper. Pull out main shaft assembly. Catch 2 lock wedges by hand as main shaft assembly is being removed. Remove tension spring.
4. Remove 2 tilt lever retainer bolts and nuts. Remove tilt lever retainer, collar and cushion. Remove tension spring. Remove tilt lever retainer bolt, 2 nuts and tilt lever retainer. Remove spacer and pin. Remove tilt steering adjusting nut and pin.
5. Remove tilt steering support stopper bolt and nut. Temporarily install a nut to serration bolt end. Using a hammer, tap on nut to remove serration bolt from break-away bracket. Remove upper bracket. Remove 2 upper column bracket bolts.
6. Remove tilt steering No. 1 support collar, tilt lever, No. 1 tilt sub lever, tilt steering No. 2 support collar, No. 2 tilt sub lever and support shim. Using a chisel, remove steering shaft thrust stopper with 3 screws. Remove 2 steering pawls.
7. Temporarily install a nut to serration bolt end. Using a hammer, tap on nut to remove serration bolt from break-away bracket. Using a hammer and brass bar, remove sensor disc from intermediate shaft. Remove sensor disc snap ring. Remove thrust stopper snap ring. Remove thrust stopper and thrust stopper "O" ring.

Ensure lock mechanism operates properly. Check main shaft 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.

1. Reassemble in reverse order of disassembly procedure. Apply molybdenum disulfide lithium base grease to thrust stopper. Select a No. 1 and No. 2 support collar which will eliminate free play. Collars are available in diameters of .7082-.7085" (17.989-17.996 mm) to .7093-.7096" (18.017-18.024 mm).
2. Drive in serrated bolt into support. Install tilt lever retainer. Select a steering support shim which fits snugly when pressed in by hand. See TILT STEERING SUPPORT SHIM THICKNESS table (SUPRA). Ensure main shaft locks securely in all positions.

TILT STEERING SUPPORT SHIM THICKNESS (SUPRA)

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CAMRY)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CAMRY)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CELICA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CELICA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (COROLLA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (COROLLA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CRESSIDA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (CRESSIDA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (SUPRA)

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (SUPRA)

See also:
• STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE