Steering Column Assembly Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: Never rest a steering column assembly on the steering wheel with the air bag (inflator) module face down and column vertical. Otherwise, personal injury may result.

Disconnect negative cable at battery.
Disable air bag system. Refer to Disabling Air Bag System in AIR BAG SYSTEM -- AERIO .
Remove steering wheel referring to "STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".
If it is necessary to remove contact coil and/or combination switch assembly, remove them, referring to "CONTACT COIL AND COMBINATION SWITCH ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".
Remove steering column hole cover (1).

Fig 1: Removing Steering Column Hole Cover
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove steering column cover screws (1).
Separate upper column cover (2) and lower column cover (3), then remove these covers.

Fig 2: Separating Upper Column Cover And Lower Column Cover
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Disconnect connectors (1) from combination switch assembly (2).

Fig 3: Disconnecting Connectors From Combination Switch Assembly
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Disconnect ignition switch connectors (1) from ignition switch (2).

Fig 4: Disconnecting Ignition Switch Connectors From Ignition Switch
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
For A/T vehicle, disconnect shift (key) interlock cable (1) from ignition switch with ignition switch turned at "ACC" position.
After disconnecting, turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position.

Fig 5: Disconnecting Shift Interlock Cable From Ignition Switch
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Disconnect horn connector (black) and air bag connector (yellow) (1) from instrument panel harness.

Fig 6: Disconnecting Horn Connector And Air Bag Connector From Instrument Panel Harness
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove steering joint cover.
Make alignment marks (1) on pinion shaft (2) and joint of steering lower shaft (3) for a guide during reinstallation.
Loosen joint bolt (steering column side) (4) and remove joint bolt (pinion shaft side) (5) and disconnect steering lower shaft (3) from pinion shaft (2).

Fig 7: Disconnecting Steering Lower Shaft From Pinion Shaft
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove steering column mounting nuts ("A", "B").

Fig 8: Removing Steering Column Mounting Nuts
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove steering column assembly from vehicle.
CAUTION: Don't separate steering column assembly into steering column and shaft. If column or shaft is defective, replace as an assembly.
If it is necessary to remove steering lock assembly (ignition switch), remove it referring to "STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY (IGNITION SWITCH) REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".