Steering Column Volkswagen Passat B3

DESCRIPTION

Note. For information on air bag, see DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM in AIR BAG RESTRAINTS article.

Swing-away steering column is held by a clamp and leaf spring. On impact, the "U" joint shaft pushes steering column against the leaf spring. The spring allows the column to disengage and swing away.

AIR BAG

Removal & Installation (Cabriolet)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Wait at least 20 minutes for air bag capacitor to discharge. Remove 2 Torx screws (No. 30) from back of steering wheel.
2. Carefully tilt air bag down away from steering wheel. Disconnect electrical wire from back of air bag unit. Remove air bag unit from vehicle. DO NOT store air bag unit on its vinyl side. Store air bag unit on its metal housing.
3. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install new Torx screws to hold air bag unit in steering wheel. Tighten Torx screws to 89 INCH lbs. (10 N.m).

STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD

Removal & Installation

1. On Corrado and Passat, lift horn pad cover from bottom, then pull cover away from steering wheel. On Corrado and Passat, spread horn button locating lugs, then separate contact plates. On other models, pry center cover from steering wheel.
2. Disconnect horn wiring. Ensure steering wheel is in straight-ahead position. Mark shaft and wheel for reassembly reference. Remove retaining nut and washer. Pull steering wheel from shaft.
3. Installation is reverse of removal procedure. Torque steering wheel retaining nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__torque-specifications) .

1. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__steering-wheel-horn-pad) .
2. Remove upper and lower steering column covers.
3. Disconnect combination switch harness connectors. Remove snap ring and washer from steering shaft (if equipped). Remove combination switch attaching screws. Remove combination switch.
4. Installation is reverse of removal procedure. Torque steering wheel retaining nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__torque-specifications) .

Scheme 1

Removal (Except Corrado)

1. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__steering-wheel-horn-pad).
2. Remove turn signal combination switch. See «TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER COMBINATION SWITCH»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column).
3. Remove clamping washer, spring, contact ring and then lock cylinder pinch bolt. (Scheme 1)
4. Remove lock cylinder housing. Drill a hole in the lock cylinder housing as illustrated. (Scheme 2)
5. Insert ignition key into lock cylinder. Insert a pin or a punch through the hole and press down on the spring that retains the lock cylinder in the housing. Using ignition key pull lock cylinder from housing.
6. To remove ignition switch from ignition lock housing. Turn housing over, and remove ignition switch retaining screw. Remove ignition switch from housing.
7. Installation is reverse of removal. Lock cylinder can be pressed in to stop by gently turning the key in the lock cylinder. Tighten fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/volkswagen/passat/b3-1988-1993/remont/steering-column/#steering-column__torque-specifications).

Locating Point To Drill Hole In Steering Lock Housing. Scheme 2

Removal (Corrado)

1. Remove steering column and steering column switch. Insert ignition key in ignition lock. Mark dimension "a" in (Scheme 2) on line with key (0.5" (12mm)).
2. Bore hole approximately 0.12" (3mm) in diameter through steering lock housing until stop spring of lock cylinder is visible; hole depth is approximately 0.12" (3mm). Compress stop spring with a punch and pull out lock cylinder with key.

Installation(All Models)

Press lock cylinder into steering lock housing. The lock cylinder can be pressed in to stop by gently turning the key in the lock cylinder.

Note. Refer to illustration for exploded view of steering column components. (Scheme 3)

Removal (Cabriolet)

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove steering wheel. Remove kneebar panel. Remove steering column lower trim panel. Unplug 2 electrical connectors.
2. Remove spiral spring assembly retaining screws. Remove lock ring, spacer ring, spring and steering lock housing. Position Tube (VW 420) on steering column. Release lock ring tension using snap ring pliers.
3. Ring will slide upward with spring pressure. Remove steering column. To remove leaf spring from steering column tube, push retaining spring downward with a screwdriver. Disengage leaf spring.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. When installing spiral spring, install 4 turns from either stop. To install leaf spring on steering column tube, insert leaf spring in bracket slot. Press lower end of leaf spring inward until it engages retaining spring.

Removal (Except Cabriolet)

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove steering wheel. Remove bolt and screw from switch housing recess. Tilt switch unit toward instrument panel. Pry spacer sleeve from column.
2. Pull up combination switch to disconnect wires. Remove combination switch. Disconnect steering shaft from "U" joint shaft. Disconnect brake pedal push rod.
3. Separate clutch pedal from clutch cable under instrument panel. Using a screwdriver, push down leaf spring retainer clip to disengage it from mounting slot.
4. Remove bolts retaining column under instrument panel. Center punch and drill out shear bolts. Remove column assembly from vehicle.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Place wheels in a straight-ahead position. Tighten pinch bolt and install spacer. (Scheme 3) Install combination switch and steering wheel. Adjust brake pedal and clutch pedal height.

Scheme 3

Note. Refer to illustration for exploded view of steering column components. (Scheme 3)

Disassembly

Press steering shaft from column. Remove bearings from steering column.

Inspection

Check upper bracket for damage and upper bearing for smooth rotation. Check shafts for signs of bending, damaged splines, or damaged "U" joints. Check column tube for bending or other damage. Repair or replace components as necessary.

Reassembly

Press in steering shaft and new bearings. DO NOT use more than 200 lbs. (90 kg) force to press shaft and bearings into column tube.

1. Remove pinch bolt that connects lower end of "U" joint shaft to steering gear pinion shaft. (Scheme 3) Separate manual gearshift linkage from steering box. Remove steering gear retaining nuts.
2. Pull box down to separate from lower "U" joint. Remove rubber boot from lower "U" joint. Remove upper "U" joint pinch bolt. Pull down joint and remove shaft with "U" joints.

Inspect "U" joints for wear or excessive play. If abnormal wear or play exists, replace as necessary.

1. Fit "U" joint to steering shaft. Align steering shaft notch with lower "U" joint slot. Install boot and damping grommet. Fit steering box to frame while guiding pinion shaft into lower "U" joint.
2. Hand-tighten steering gear retaining nuts. Place wheels in straight-ahead position. Align pinion shaft and "U" joint. Tighten pinch bolt. Tighten steering gear retaining nuts. Connect gearshift linkage. Check linkage for smooth operation.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD
• TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHIELD WIPER COMBINATION SWITCH