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Home › Cadillac › 2021 › CT4 V, 4WD › Repair and Diagnosis › Steering › Steering Column › Steering Wheel And Column › Repair Instructions › Steering Column Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

  1. If equipped, deactivate the steering column lock control module using the following procedure:
    1. With foot OFF the brake pedal and the shift lever in the PARK position, press and release the ignition and start switch once. This will place the ignition system in the ACCESSORY mode and unlock the steering column for 5 minutes.
    2. Turn the steering wheel to verify the steering column is NOT locked.
    3. Remove the fuse for the steering column lock control module. The fuse is found in the instrument panel fuse block and is labeled ESCL. Electrical Center Identification Views
  2. Disable the SIR system. SIR Disabling and Enabling
  3. GM5443235Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Instrument Panel Lower Airbag Nut (1) - Remove [2x]

  4. Instrument Panel Lower Airbag - Driver Side (2) - Remove
  5. Disconnect the electrical connector.
  6. GM5421735Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    With a flat bladed plastic trim tool, start at the front and work your way back to release the clips holding the left side instrument panel outer trim cover (1).

  7. Instrument Panel Outer Trim Cover - Left Side (1) - Remove
  8. GM5300282Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Disconnect the hood primary latch release cable end retainer from the hood primary latch release cable handle (1).

  9. GM5310877Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator Retainer (1) - Remove

  10. Instrument Panel Insulator Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
  11. Instrument Panel Insulator Nut (3) - Remove [2x]
  12. GM5310878Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    NOTE:

    Use a plastic trim tool if necessary.

    Release the tabs from the instrument panel lower trim panel insulator (1).

  13. GM5310879Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Instrument Panel Lower Trim Panel Insulator (1) - Remove

  14. Disconnect the electrical connector.
  15. GM5433957Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Move the steering column up so you can access the lower left corner of the instrument panel center trim pad (1).

  16. Start with a flat-bladed plastic trim tool in the lower left corner of the instrument panel center trim pad (1) and work your way clockwise.
  17. Instrument Panel Center Trim Pad (1) - Remove
  18. Disconnect the electrical connector.
  19. GM5446424Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Data Link Connector Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]

  20. Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Bolt (2) - Remove [3x]
  21. GM5446428Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Release the clips with a suitable tool.

  22. Disconnect and reposition harness as necessary.
  23. Clear the instrument panel knee bolster deflector studs when removing the instrument panel knee bolster (1).
  24. GM5492922Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Bolt (1) - Remove

  25. GM5492923Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Floor Front Air Outlet Duct - Left Side (1) - Remove

  26. GM5454049Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Instrument Panel Tie Bar Brace Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]

  27. Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Deflector (2) - Remove
  28. Extend the steering column to its furthest point to allow the instrument panel steering column upper trim cover to clear the instrument panel.
  29. GM5422815Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Using a small plastic trim tool, separate the instrument panel steering column upper trim cover (1) from the instrument panel steering column lower trim cover.

  30. Instrument Panel Steering Column Upper Trim Cover (1) - Reposition
  31. GM5730572Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    NOTE:

    Instrument panel steering column upper trim cover is removed for graphic clarity.

    Disconnect the electrical connector (1), if equipped.

  32. GM5441328Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Rotate the steering wheel left and right to access the instrument panel steering column lower trim cover bolts (1).

  33. Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Bolt (1) - Remove [3x]
  34. Instrument Panel Steering Column Lower Trim Cover (2) - Remove
  35. GM5421708Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Use a flat bladed plastic trim tool to depress the steering wheel airbag access hole cover detents to remove the 2 steering wheel airbag access hole covers (1).

  36. GM5443287Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Steering Wheel Airbag Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]

  37. Release the connector position assurance (CPA) retainer.
  38. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
  39. Steering Wheel Airbag (2) - Remove
  40. GM5421652Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    CAUTION:

    The anti-rotation pin must be installed AFTER removing the steering wheel bolt. Removal torque of the steering wheel bolt may exceed the threshold of the steering column rivets and damage the steering column rivets, which will disable the telescoping mechanism. If the steering column rivets are damaged, a new steering column must be installed.

    Loosen the steering wheel bolt (1) so that 2 - 3 threads are engaged.

  41. Disconnect the electrical connector.
  42. Wiggle the steering wheel until the wheel disengages completely.
  43. Steering Wheel Bolt (1) - Remove
    44. CAUTION:

    With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:

    • The steering column
    • The intermediate shaft(s)
    • The steering gear

    After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has become un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.

  44. Install an appropriate device to prevent the steering column from rotating.
  45. Steering Wheel (2) - Remove
  46. Mark the relationship between the steering column and the upper intermediate steering shaft using a grease pencil.
  47. GM5339077Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

    Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt (1) @ Steering Column - Remove

  48. Upper Intermediate Steering Shaft (2) @ Steering Column - Separate
  49. Disconnect the steering column electrical connectors as necessary.
  50. GM5338700Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    CAUTION:

    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.

    NOTE:

    Support the steering column while removing the steering column nuts.

    Steering Column Nut (2) - Remove [4x]

  51. Steering Column (1) - Remove
  52. Transfer components as necessary.
  53. If replacing the steering column, copy the match marks from the OLD steering column to the NEW steering column.
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