Tools Required

Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in the Preface section.

Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.

Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.



2. Use J 42640 to lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover.



3. Remove the mounting bolts from the underhood electrical center, and position the electrical center out of the way.



4. Remove the retaining bolts which secure the intermediate shaft boot to the cowl.



5. Remove the pinch bolt (3) which secures the intermediate shaft (2) to the steering column (1).
6. Disconnect the intermediate shaft (2) from the steering column shaft (1).
7. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
8. Remove the lap deflector from the driver side knee bolster. Refer to Lap Air Outlet Replacement in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
9. Remove the range selector cable from the steering column shift lever. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Replacement in Automatic Transmission - 4L60-E.



10. Disconnect the 48-way connector wiring harness from the base of the steering column.




Important: Support the steering column while loosening the steering column mounting nuts.

11. Remove the lower steering column mounting nuts.
12. Remove the upper steering column mounting nuts.
13. Remove the steering column.
14. Install the steering column onto J 41352 .

1. Remove the steering column from J 41352 .



2. Install the steering column to the vehicle.
3. Install the lower column mounting nuts. Do not tighten the nuts.

Caution: In order to ensure the intended function of the steering column in a vehicle during a crash and in order to avoid personal injury to the driver, perform the following:

•	Tighten the steering column lower fasteners before you tighten the steering column upper fasteners. Failure to do this can damage the steering column.

•	Tighten the steering column fasteners to the specified torque. Overtightening the upper steering column fasteners could affect the steering column collapse.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

4. Install the upper column mounting nuts.

Tighten

1. Tighten the lower column mounting nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2. Tighten the upper column mounting nuts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).



5. Connect the 48-way steering column wire harness to the instrument panel wire harness.

Tighten
Tighten the connector bolt to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

6. Install the range selector cable to the steering column shift lever. Refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Replacement in Automatic Transmission - 4L60-E.
7. Install the lap deflector to the driver side knee bolster. Refer to Lap Air Outlet Replacement in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
8. Install the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .



9. Install the intermediate shaft (2) to the steering column shaft (1).
10. Install the pinch bolt which secures the intermediate shaft to the steering column.



11. Install the retaining bolts which secure the intermediate shaft boot to the cowl.



12. Install the underhood electrical center to the cowl.
13. Install the mounting bolts which secure the underhood electrical center to the cowl.



14. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the lower steering column trim cover.
15. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.