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Steering Column: Service and Repair




Steering Column Assembly Removal and Installation

Steering Wheel and Column Construction

NOTE:

The steering column assembly can be easily damaged during and after removal.

To avoid damaging the steering column, be sure to take the following precautions when removing it and when setting it down after removal:

- Never drop the column assembly on its end. This could collapse the steering shaft.
- Do not lean the column assembly against something. This could cause it to bend or deform.
- Do not loosen the steering column assembly mounting nuts and bolts when the steering upper shaft assembly upper joint bolt is still tightened. This could cause damage to the shaft joint.

Removal

WARNING:

If you rest the removed steering column assembly on the steering wheel with the air bag (inflator) module facing down and the steering column vertical, there is a risk of severe personal injury due to possible inflation of the air bag.

Never rest the steering wheel and column assembly on the steering wheel end.

1) Disconnect negative (-) cable at battery.
2) Disable air bag system referring to Disabling Air Bag System Disabling Air Bag System:Advanced Air Bag or Disabling Air Bag System Disabling Air Bag System:Except Advanced Air Bag.
3) Remove steering wheel and contact coil cable assembly. Refer to Service and Repair Steering Wheel Removal and Installation
and Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation.
4) Remove instrument panel under cover (1) from instrument panel.






5) Remove immobilizer control module (ICM) referring to Service and Repair Immobilizer Control Module (ICM) Removal and Installation.
6) Remove lighting switch referring to Headlight Switch (in Lighting Switch) Removal and Installation Headlight Switch (in Lighting Switch) Removal and Installation.
7) Remove washer switch referring to Removal and Installation Windshield Wiper and Washer Switch Removal and Installation.
8) Disconnect connector from steering lock assembly.
9) 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.





10) Remove steering upper shaft upper joint bolt (1) and nut (2).





11) Remove column support bracket. (if equipped)
12) Remove steering column assembly (1) mounting bolts (2) and nuts (3).

NOTE:
Do not move tilt lever before until mounting bolts and nuts are tightened completely.





13) Remove steering column assembly from vehicle.

Installation

Checking Steering Column for Accident Damage

NOTE:

Tightening the fasteners in the wrong order may cause damage to the shaft joint.

Be sure to tighten the steering column assembly mounting nuts in the order given before tightening the steering lower shaft assembly upper joint bolt.

1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-ahead position.
2) Align flat part "A" of steering upper shaft upper joint (1) with bolt hole "B" of steering column assembly (2) as shown in the figure. Then connect steering upper shaft upper joint.





3) Install steering column assembly (1) with contacting upper side of lower bracket slits to mounting bolts. Tighten steering column lower mounting nuts (3) first and then upper mounting bolts (2) to specified torque.

Tightening torque
Steering column assembly mounting bolt and nut (a): 25 Nm (2.5 kgf-m, 18.0 lbf-ft)





4) Install column support bracket. (if equipped)
5) Install new steering upper shaft upper joint bolt (2) and nut (1). Tighten new steering upper shaft upper joint nut (1) to specified torque.

NOTE:
The steering upper shaft upper joint bolt is fastened with a self-locking nut and will work loose if they are reused.

Be sure to replace the bolt and nut with new ones.

Tightening torque
Steering upper shaft assembly upper joint nut (a): 23 Nm (2.3 kgf-m, 17.0 lbf-ft)





6) For A/T vehicle, connect shift (key) interlock cable (1) to ignition switch with ignition switch turned at ACC position.

And then turn ignition switch LOCK position.






7) Connect steering lock assembly connector.
8) Install washer switch referring to Removal and Installation Windshield Wiper and Washer Switch Removal and Installation.
9) Install lighting switch referring to Headlight Switch (in Lighting Switch) Removal and Installation Headlight Switch (in Lighting Switch) Removal and Installation.
10) Install immobilizer control module (ICM) referring to Service and Repair Immobilizer Control Module (ICM) Removal and Installation.
11) Install instrument panel under cover (1) to instrument panel.





12) Install steering wheel and contact coil cable assembly by referring to Service and Repair Steering Wheel Removal and Installation
and Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation Contact Coil Cable Assembly Removal and Installation.
13) Connect negative (-) cable to battery.
14) After installing steering column assembly, be sure to enable air bag system by referring to Enabling Air Bag System Enabling Air Bag System:Advanced Air Bag or Enabling Air Bag System Enabling Air Bag System:Except Advanced Air Bag.

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