Steering Column: Service and Repair

When servicing steering columns, care should be exercised since they are extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping of or leaning on column or striking sharp blows on end of steering shaft or shift levers could loosen or shear plastic fasteners which maintain column rigidity. It is important that only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used during the mandatory reassembly sequence and torqued to specifications to insure proper breakaway action of column under impact. Avoid using excessively long bolts as they may prevent a portion of the steering column from collapsing under impact. When removing or installing, steering wheel, ignition switch or lock, turn signal switch, adjusting transmission linkage, or installing and adjusting neutral-start or back-up light switch, refer to appropriate car chapter. If a shift tube shows a sheared plastic injection, a new shift tube must be installed. If a steering shaft shows a sheared plastic, or if the steering column has been collapsed a complete new column must be installed. On some models, the attaching brackets will shear under impact and must also be replaced.


1. Disconnect battery negative cable, then set front wheels in straight line.
2. Remove two steering wheel cover retaining screws, then disconnect horn wire and remove cover.
3. Remove steering wheel nut, then mark steering wheel and column shaft for assembly reference.
4. Remove steering wheel using a steering wheel puller T67L-3600-A or equivalent.
5. Remove combination switch and ignition switch.
6. Remove shift lock cable attaching bolt, then disconnect cable from lock housing.
7. Using slim-nose locking pliers, remove round-head mounting screws securing steering lock housing and cap to steering column jacket. Remove the lock housing.
8. Remove four shield nuts, then the column shield.
9. Remove two upper steering column to instrument panel mounting nuts, then lower upper end of column to gain access to intermediate shaft universal joint.
10. Make an index mark at juncture of steering shaft and intermediate shaft upper universal joint for proper alignment during installation. Remove universal joint clamp screw.
11. Loosen two steering column hinge bracket to clutch/brake support nuts, then pull steering column towards the rear and disengage it from the universal joint.
12. If steering gear needs to be removed, index mark and remove the upper universal joint. Mark universal joint, so that ends are installed correctly.
13. If upper universal joint was removed, align index marks made during removal procedure and install joint onto shaft.
14. Install joint clamp bolt, but do not tighten, then install steering column aligning index marks on column shaft and universal joint.
15. Install column hinge bracket with pedal support studs. Do not tighten universal joint.
16. Tighten hinge bracket nuts, then raise the upper end of column to seat under the instrument panel, position shim clips on column upper bracket flanges.
17. Install two upper steering column retaining nuts, then the steering column shield and nuts.
18. Position steering lock housing on the steering column jacket, then install mounting cap with new screws. Tighten so housing will hold in position. Turn steering wheel lock to lock several times to align universal joints, then tighten both universal joint clamp bolts.
19. Turn ignition switch ``On'' and verify that mechanism locks and unlocks the column without binding. If necessary, reposition lock housing until lock works, then tighten the mounting screws until the heads break off.
20. Install the shift-lock cable and attaching bolt. torque bolt to 37-54 inch lbs.
21. Install ignition switch/combination switch, then align the index marks and install the steering wheel. Torque steering wheel nut to 29-36 ft. lbs.
22. With the steering wheel cover bracket and horn button installed in the cover, connect horn electrical connector to horn button leads.
23. Position steering wheel cover, then install screws.