Steering Column - Standard Toyota Tercel L40

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 appropriate STEERING COLUMN - TILT article in the STEERING section.

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

To disable air bag system, ensure ignition switch is in LOCK position and negative battery terminal is disconnected for at least one minute before attempting any repair. DO NOT apply electrical power to any component on steering column without disconnecting air bag control unit. Information labels are attached to air bag components. Follow all notices on labels.

SPIRAL CABLE

On vehicles equipped with air bag system, spiral cable MUST be correctly adjusted to ensure proper air bag operation. Ensure front wheels are in 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 (WITH AIR BAG)

Note. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .

Scheme 2

1. Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Disconnect and shield negative battery cable.
2. 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 electrical connector. Remove steering wheel pad. Place steering wheel pad on flat surface with pad cover facing up. WARNING: Place steering wheel pad assembly on workbench. Pad surface MUST face up. If assembly is stored face down, accidental air bag deployment could propel assembly and cause serious bodily injury.
4. Mark steering wheel and steering shaft for installation reference. Remove steering wheel nut. Use appropriate puller to 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/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) . Tighten steering wheel nut and Torx screws to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) at end of article.
2. After spiral cable and steering wheel pad 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.

Removal & Installation (Except Celica)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove screw(s) securing horn pad and remove horn pad. Disconnect horn electrical connector(s). Remove steering wheel nut and washer.
2. Mark steering shaft and steering wheel for installation reference. Use appropriate puller to remove steering wheel from shaft. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) at end of article.

Removal & Installation

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard__steering-wheel-pad-spiral-cable) or «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) . Remove instrument cluster lower trim panel. Remove upper and lower steering column covers.
2. Disconnect combination switch electrical connector. Remove screws securing combination switch to steering column and remove combination switch. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) at end of article.

Removal

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard__steering-wheel-pad-spiral-cable) or «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) . Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove combination switch (if necessary).
2. Disconnect ignition switch harness connectors. If shear bolt studs are accessible, use a hacksaw to cut a slot into exposed studs. Using a screwdriver, remove studs.
3. If 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 ignition switch and lock cylinder.

1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install NEW shear bolts. Tighten shear bolts finger tight. Ensure proper operation of ignition switch and lock cylinder.
2. Tighten shear bolts until heads break off. Install combination switch, upper and lower steering column covers and steering wheel. Tighten steering wheel nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) at end of article.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel pad. Mark steering shaft and steering wheel for installation reference. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard__steering-wheel-pad-spiral-cable) or «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) .
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 switch.
3. On passenger cars, mark "U" joint and steering 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. Tighten nuts and bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/toyota/tercel/l40-1990-1994/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-standard) at end of article.

CELICA

Note. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .

Disassembly

1. Drill out tapered head bolts and use screw extractor to remove upper bracket bolts. Remove upper bracket from column tube. Remove upper snap ring. Remove steering column main shaft from column tube. (Scheme 3)
2. Remove lower snap ring. Remove collar from main shaft. Use a screwdriver to remove bushing. Place ignition key lock in ACC position. Push down on stop pin and pull out key cylinder.

Scheme 3

Inspection

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

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

1. Drill out tapered head bolts and use screw extractor to remove upper bracket bolts. Remove upper bracket from column tube.
2. Remove upper snap ring and remove steering column main shaft from column tube. Remove snap rings from main shaft. (Scheme 4)

Scheme 4

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.

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 heads break off.

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

Scheme 5

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.

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 heads break off.

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

Scheme 6

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.

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

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
• ADJUSTMENTS
• STEERING WHEEL PAD & SPIRAL CABLE