Non-Tilt Wheel Column: Disassembly

If column is removed from vehicle, attach a column supporting fixture. See Fig 1. If column is in vehicle, disconnect negative battery cable. Remove steering wheel assembly. Refer to STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove lock plate cover.
WARNING: Lock plate is retained by a very strong spring force. DO NOT attempt to remove steering shaft snap ring without using appropriate lock plate depressor.
Depress lock plate, remove snap ring and discard. Remove lock plate, cancel cam, upper bearing preload spring and washer. Remove hazard warning switch knob, press knob inward then turn counterclockwise, remove from column.

Fig 1: Attaching Steering Column Support Fixture
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS
Remove turn signal/wiper/cruise control stalk by pulling straight out from column. Disconnect turn signal wiring harness at lower end of column.
Remove turn signal/dimmer retaining screws and remove switch. Guide harness and switch up and out of column. Remove all other wire harnesses in steering column.
NOTE: Wrap tape around turn signal wire harness to prevent entanglement during removal.
Turn ignition to ON position. Remove key warning buzzer and contacts as a unit with needle nose pliers. Insert a small screwdriver into right hand slot adjacent to switch attaching screw boss. Depress spring latch located at bottom of slot and pull cylinder out of column.
On models equipped with floor shift, proceed to step 10). On column shift models, remove gear selector lever upper pivot pin, selector lever and upper bearing thrust washer. Remove four screws attaching key/lock cylinder housing to steering column, remove key/lock cylinder housing.
Remove thrust cap and ignition switch actuating rod and rack. Remove rack preload spring, shaft lock bolt and spring from housing. Remove shift lever detent plate from housing. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Identifying Key/Lock Cylinder Housing
Courtesy of CHRYSLER MOTORS
Use punch to exert force on block tooth to disengage and remove lock sector. Remove gear selector lever housing and shroud from steering shaft. Remove gear selector lever spring from housing.
NOTE: Steering column must be removed from vehicle for further disassembly.
Remove steering shaft, if not removed earlier. Remove spring clip from lower bearing retainer, remove retainer, lower bearing, and adapter. Slide out shift tube.
On models equipped with floor shift, remove screws attaching key/lock cylinder and shroud to column jacket. Remove dimmer switch arm, disengage remote rod from lock rack. Remove key/lock cylinder housing to shroud screws and separate.
Remove and separate wave washer from key release lever pivot. Remove lock rack, lock bolt and preload spring. Use punch to exert force on block tooth to disengage and remove lock sector. Remove gear selector lever housing and shroud from steering shaft.
Remove steering shaft, if not removed earlier. Remove spring clip from lower bearing retainer, remove retainer, lower bearing and adapter. Slide out shift tube.