Steering Column Disassembly

NOTE: Steering column removal is not necessary if the lockplate cover, lockplate, steering shaft snap ring, canceling cam, turn signal switch, upper bearing preload spring or lock cylinder is to be serviced. For the remaining components, steering column must be removed. Disassembly and reassembly procedures for standard and tilt columns are similar. Some procedures for tilt columns do not apply to standard columns. If in doubt as to whether or not a part or procedure applies to the column being serviced, See Fig 4 and Fig. Figure.

Position front wheels straight ahead and center steering wheel. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove horn pad and steering wheel. Remove column. Attach column to holding fixture (J-23074), or equivalent and place in vise. Remove steering shaft lock cover.
Remove tilt release lever and turn signal switch lever. Remove hazard warning knob. Remove wiper switch knob, if equipped. Install Compressing Tool (J-23653) on steering shaft and remove lock plate "C" ring.
Remove lock plate, canceling cam and upper bearing preload spring. Remove turn signal switch. Pull switch straight up, guiding wire harness and cover through column housing. If equipped, remove key lamp and dimmer switch actuator arm.

Fig 1: Ignition Lock Cylinder Removal (Retaining Screw Type)
Insert key and turn ignition switch to "ON" position. Remove key warning buzzer switch retainer clips and buzzer switch. DO NOT drop buzzer retainer clip into column.
Turn ignition switch to "LOCK" position. Insert a thin screwdriver and depress spring latch, or, remove screw to release lock cylinder. Remove lock cylinder by pulling it out.

Fig 2: Ignition Lock Cylinder Mechanism Removal (Retaining Tab Type)
Remove fasteners securing lock housing cover to steering column housing and remove lock housing. If equipped with washer/wiper switch, use punch to remove pivot pin, then lift out pivot assembly.

Fig 3: Removing Tilt Spring Retainer

Fig 4: Exploded View of Saginaw Standard Column
Insert tilt lever, place column in full tilt "UP" position. Insert screwdriver, press in and turn counterclockwise until ears align with grooves in housing. Remove tilt spring retainer. Remove ignition switch.
If equipped, remove dimmer switch, it is released from actuator rod by rotating housing. Place column in center position, and using Tool (J-21854-1), or equivalent, remove pivot pins. Push upper steering shaft in, and remove steering shaft inner race seat and inner race.

Fig 5: Tilt Column Pivot Pin Removal
Using tilt release lever, to release load, disengage lock shoes. Rotate bearing housing clockwise to separate lock rack from actuator rod. Remove coupling from lower end of steering shaft. Remove steering shaft from upper end.
Disassemble steering shaft by removing center spheres and anti-lash spring. Remove ignition switch actuator rod. Remove fasteners securing support to lock plate. Remove support from end of column jacket.
If necessary, remove 2 attaching screws and shift gate from support. The dimmer switch actuator rod is removed with support. Remove shift tube retaining ring with screwdriver. Remove thrust washer.
On some models, use a small screwdriver, on others, use a twisting motion, carefully separate shift tube shroud from lower end of jacket. Remove key release lever and spring from shroud. Tip lever forward and lift up to remove.
If necessary, use Tool (J-23072) or equivalent, to remove shift tube from bowl. Insert bushing on end of tool in shift tube and force tube out of bowl. Remove shift tube from jacket from lower end.
Remove jacket mounting plate by sliding out of jacket notches and tipping down toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening. Remove wave washer. Remove bowl from jacket. Remove shift lever spring from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling out.