Postby shaneb75 » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:56 pm
Ok, I was able to finally make time to get the steering column and coupler replaced. I would have to say that it was not that bad to do. Below is a step by step procedure from memory. Hopefully I didn’t miss anything… I will also try and post some pictures to my profile..
1. Park with the steering wheel at center. (Note) you will notice at the end of the steering shaft is a mark, it will be at the top center. I made sure that the new column went back in with this mark straight up just like it was when I started…
2. Disconnect negative side of battery, wait 10 minutes.
3. On the backside of the steering wheel is a hole. You are looking for a wire slightly bigger than a close hanger. Stick a small standard screwdriver in the hole; it will be almost verticle. Push the wire upward to release the airbag.
4. Carefully remove the airbag straight off of the steering wheel.
5. Remove the yellow and orange wires from the airbag by gently lifting up on the black tabs then unplugging the connector. Then unplug the green ground wire.
6. Loosen but don’t remove the 19mm nut holding the steering wheel. The grab the steering wheel and pull from side to side until it pops off. Then finish removing the 19mm nut.
7. Unplug the connector to the lower left of the steering wheel. Take note of where the wires are fed through the steering wheel.
8. Remove the steering wheel.
9. You will now have to remove the blinker assembly housing by removing the (3) screws on the bottom side. Then pry the top from the bottom.
10. Using masking tape, tape the Clock Spring in place so that it does not rotate. (Note) If this rotates, I understand that it can break the wires internally.
11. Remove the (4) connectors on the blinker assembly. (1) top right, (2) bottom right, and (1) bottom left.
12. Remove the 2 screws holding the blinker assembly, then push in the clip at the top center to remove the assembly.
13. Now it is time to remove the lower dash panel. This is held by (2) screws, (1) at the bottom right, and (1) hidden behind the door jam cover. Then pull to unclip from the dash.
14. You now have access to the column. Remove the steering coupler. (1) bolt at the top, and a bolt and nut at the bottom.
15. Unplug the 3 connectors from the ignition switch, as well as the white plastic clip on the bottom held on by a tiny screw.
16. Remove the ignition bezel.
17. Remove the (3) nuts and (1) bolt holding the steering column on.
18. Remove the steering column and ignition as one unit.
19. You will now have to remove the ignition from the steering column. This a pain because the bolts do not have a head of any kind. I had to use a chisel and punch to back the bolts out. I then ran to Home Depot and purchased 2 black machine allen head bolts to replace them with.
20. Install in reverse order…
I also posted this the thread I started...