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Removal - Steering Column

NOTE: This procedure is to be used when replacing the steering column. It is written to reflect that objective. If the column is to be removed as one assembly, or without removing the steering wheel, the steering wheel must be turned from the straight ahead position to the RIGHT 180° and locked in place. Lock the column in this position by removing the key from the key cylinder. This MUST be performed before the steering coupler to the gear is disconnected. This is done to prevent the chance of damaging the clockspring. When reconnecting the steering coupler to the intermediate shaft, verify the front wheels have not moved from their position when column was removed. If during column reinstallation, any doubt is present as to whether the clockspring is properly centered, the clockspring centering procedure Step  19 MUST be performed prior to connecting the steering coupler.
  1. Remove remote ground cable from ground stud on shock tower and isolate ground cable from vehicle by installing isolator on stud (Fig 1 ).
    Fig 1: Removing Remote Ground Cable From Ground Stud
    G02709220Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  2. Remove the fuse panel cover from the left end of the instrument panel (Fig 2 ).
    Fig 2: Identifying Fuse Panel Cover
    G02709221Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  3. Remove the 2 screws behind the fuse panel cover attaching the lower instrument panel cover to the instrument panel (Fig 3 ).
    Fig 3: Removing Lower Instrument Panel Cover Mounting Screws
    G02709222Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  4. Remove the lower instrument panel cover. The lower instrument panel cover is attached by retaining clips along the top and right edge.
  5. Remove the wiring harness connector from the trunk release switch in the lower instrument panel cover (Fig 4 ).
    Fig 4: Identifying Wiring Harness Connector
    G02709223Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  6. Remove the parking brake release cable, from the park brake release handle in the lower instrument panel cover (Fig 5 ).
    Fig 5: Identifying Park Brake Release Cable
    G02709224Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  7. Remove the 4 bolts (Fig 6 ) mounting the reinforcement (Fig 6 ) to the instrument panel. Remove the reinforcement from the instrument panel. Remove the diagnostic connector (Fig 7 ) from the reinforcement.
    Fig 6: Identifying Reinforcement Panel
    G02709225Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    Fig 7: Identifying Diagnostic Connector
    G02709226Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  8. Before beginning removal of steering column assembly from vehicle, be sure front wheels of vehicle are in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.
    CAUTION: When removing the steering wheel, use care not to damage the steering wheel finish. The wood grain on some steering wheels can be easily marred.
  9. Remove the speed control switches (Fig 8 ) from the steering wheel. The speed control switches are mounted to the steering wheel by two screws (one screw, each switch) which are accessible from the back side of the steering wheel. Disconnect the wire connector from each switch.
    Fig 8: Identifying Speed Control Switches
    G02709227Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    WARNING: WHEN AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG IS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, DISCONNECT BATTERY GROUND CABLE AND ISOLATE. ALLOW SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO MINUTES, THEN BEGIN AIRBAG REMOVAL.
    WARNING: WHEN HANDLING AN UNDEPLOYED AIRBAG DURING SERVICE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE OBSERVED. AT NO TIME SHOULD ANY SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY BE PERMITTED NEAR THE INFLATOR ON THE BACK OF THE AIRBAG MODULE. WHEN CARRYING A LIVE MODULE, THE TRIM COVER SHOULD BE POINTED AWAY FROM THE BODY TO MINIMIZE INJURY IF MODULE ACCIDENTLY DEPLOYS. IF AIRBAG MODULE IS PLACED ON A BENCH OR OTHER SURFACE, PLASTIC COVER SHOULD BE FACE UP TO MINIMIZE MOVEMENT IN CASE OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.
  10. Remove the 2 bolts attaching the driver airbag to the steering wheel (Fig 9 ).
    Fig 9: Identifying Driver Airbag Attaching Bolts
    G02709228Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  11. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
  12. Disconnect the electrical connector from the back of the airbag (Fig 10 ). Connector is removed by pulling it straight out of the airbag. Do not twist the connector when removing it from the airbag.
    Fig 10: Identifying Driver Airbag Electrical Connections
    G02709229Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  13. Remove the horn switch wire from the clockspring horn wire (Fig 10 ).
  14. If optional audio control switches are present on the rear of the steering wheel, disconnect the 4-way connector between the clockspring and steering wheel wiring harness.
  15. Remove the steering wheel attaching nut from the steering column shaft (Fig 11 ).
    CAUTION: When installing wheel puller on steering wheel, be sure puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes in the steering wheel. If bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, threads may be stripped out when removing the steering wheel.
    Fig 11: Identifying Steering Wheel Attaching Nut
    G02709230Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  16. Install puller on steering wheel as shown (Fig 12 ).
    Fig 12: Identifying Steering Wheel Puller
    G02709231Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
    CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
  17. Remove steering wheel from steering column shaft.
    NOTE: The upper shroud on this steering column is retained to the steering column by a snap fit to the lower shroud. When removing the upper shroud from the steering column lower shroud, DO NOT use a hard or sharp tool. This will damage the shrouds. If a tool must be used, use a soft tool such as a trim stick.
  18. Remove the steering column upper shroud from the steering column using the following procedure. First, on the right seam between the upper and lower shrouds, push in on seam at the forward end. When the upper shroud unsnaps, pull the upper shroud upward away from the lower. Repeat this procedure on the opposite side of the column to release the upper shroud from the lower. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column.
  19. Remove the tilt lever (Fig 13 ) from the steering column.
    Fig 13: Identifying Tilt Lever
    G02709232Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  20. Remove the two screws attaching the lower shroud to the steering column (Fig 14 ). Remove the lower shroud from the steering column.
    Fig 14: Removing Screws Attaching Lower Shroud
    G02709233Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  21. Remove the wiring harness connectors from the clockspring (Fig 15 ).
    Fig 15: Identifying Wiring Harness Connection
    G02709234Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  22. Remove the two screws (Fig 16 ) mounting the clockspring to the steering column. Remove the clockspring from the steering column.
    Fig 16: Removing Screws Mounting Clockspring To Steering Column
    G02709235Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  23. If the vehicle is equipped, disconnect the wire harness connector at the SKIM module. Remove the mounting screw and unclip the module from the key cylinder halo bezel.
  24. Remove the wiring harness from the routing clip on the top of the multifunction switch. Remove the 2 screws (Fig 17 ) mounting the multifunction switch to the steering column. Remove the multifunction switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.
    Fig 17: Identifying Multifunction Switch
    G02709236Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  25. Remove the 2 screws (Fig 18 ) mounting the ignition switch to the steering column. Remove the ignition switch, with the wiring harness attached, from the steering column.
    Fig 18: Removing Screws Mounting Ignition Switch To Steering Column
    G02709237Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  26. If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted shifter, depress the locking tab on the shifter/ignition interlock cable (Fig 19 ) and remove the cable from the key lock housing.
    Fig 19: Identifying Shifter/Ignition Interlock Cable At Lock Cylinder Housing
    G02709238Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  27. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, remove the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) solenoid from the shift lever mechanism (Fig 20 ). To do so, perform the following:
    1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the solenoid.
    2. Remove the retainer clip from the end of the solenoid (Fig 21 ).
    3. Slide the solenoid straight off the shift lever mounting stud.
      Fig 20: Identifying BTSI
      G02709239Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
      Fig 21: Identifying Solenoid Retainer Clip
      G02709240Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  28. If the vehicle is equipped with a steering column mounted shift lever, remove the shift cable from the shifter mechanism. Unlock the cable lock, then, the shift cable is removed by inserting a screwdriver between the shift cable and the shifter mechanism and prying the cable off the pin (Fig 22 ).
    Fig 22: Removing Shift Cable From Shifter Mechanism
    G02709241Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  29. Remove the shift cable mounting bracket (Fig 23 ) from the steering column. The shift cable mounting bracket is mounted to the steering column by the 2 mounting screws (Fig 23 ).
    Fig 23: Removing Shift Cable Bracket Mounting To Steering Column
    G02709242Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  30. Remove the 2 air ducts (Fig 24 ) from under the steering column.
    Fig 24: Removing Air Ducts
    G02709243Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  31. Remove retaining pin in steering column coupler pinch bolt (Fig 25 ). Remove the pinch bolt from the steering column coupler. The pinch bolt nut is caged to coupler and is not removable. Separate the steering column flex coupler from steering intermediate shaft.
    Fig 25: Identifying Steering Column Coupler
    G02709244Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  32. Remove the 2 steering column upper mounting bracket to support bracket nuts (Fig 26 ). Then loosen the 2 bolts attaching the steering column lower mounting bracket to support bracket (Fig 26 ).
    Fig 26: Removing Steering Column Mounting
    G02709245Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  33. Remove the steering column from the support bracket by pulling it rearward, then out of the car.
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