STEERING COLUMN

Removal and Installation

REMOVAL

Hole Cover Seal, Hole Cover and Lower Shaft Assembly

1. Set wheels to the straight-ahead position.

• Steering gear (2)

2. Remove lower side bolt (A) of lower shaft assembly (1).

3. Remove bolt (A) and nut (B) of column upper joint (2), then remove lower shaft assembly (1).
4. Loosen herbie clip, then remove hole cover seal from hole cover.
5. Remove nuts of hole cover, and then remove clamp and hole cover from dash panel.

Steering Column Assembly

1. Set wheels to the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove driver air bag module. Refer to See: Restraints and Safety Systems\Air Bag Systems\Air Bag\Service and Repair\Driver Air Bag Module\Removal And Installation.
3. Remove steering wheel. Refer to See: Steering Wheel\Service and Repair\Removal and Replacement.
4. Remove instrument lower cover (LH). Refer to See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Dashboard / Instrument Panel\Service and Repair\Exploded View.

5. Remove knee protector bolts, then remove knee protector (1). Refer to See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Dashboard / Instrument Panel\Service and Repair\Exploded View.
6. Remove steering column cover (upper and lower). Refer to See: Body and Frame\Interior Moulding / Trim\Dashboard / Instrument Panel\Service and Repair\Exploded View.
7. Remove combination switch and spiral cable. Refer to See: Restraints and Safety Systems\Air Bag Systems\Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable\Service and Repair.
8. Disconnect each switch connector installed to steering column assembly, and then disconnect harness from steering column assembly.

• Lower shaft assembly (1)

9. Remove bolt (A) and nut (B) of column upper joint (2).
10. Remove steering column assembly and nuts, then remove steering column assembly.

Inspection AFTER REMOVAL

Hole Cover Seal, Hole Cover and Lower Shaft Assembly
Check each part of hole cover seal, hole cover and steering column and lower shaft assembly for damage or other malfunctions. Replace if necessary.

Steering Column Assembly

• Check each part of steering column assembly for damage or other malfunctions. Replace entire steering column assembly if any parts are damaged.

• Measure the length (L) as shown if vehicle has been involved in a minor collision. Replace steering column assembly if outside the specifications.

Steering column length (L) : Refer to See: Specifications

• Measure steering column rotating torque using Tool. Replace steering column assembly if outside the standard.

• Check tilt and telescopic mechanism operating range (L1), (L2) as shown.

• When installing lower shaft assembly to steering gear assembly, follow the procedure listed below.
• Set rack of steering gear in the neutral position.

NOTE:
To get the neutral position of rack, turn gear sub-assembly and measure the distance of inner socket, and then measure the intermediate position of the distance.

• Align rear cover cap projection (A) with the marking position (B) of gear housing assembly.
• Install slit part of lower shaft assembly (C) aligning with the projection (A) of rear cover cap (1). Make sure that the slit part of lower shaft assembly (C) is aligned with both the projection (A) of rear cover cap (1) and the marking position (B) of gear housing assembly.
• Perform final tightening of nuts and bolts on each part under unladen conditions with tires on level ground when removing steering gear assembly. Check wheel alignment. Refer to See: Alignment\Specifications\Front Suspension\Wheel Alignment.