Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Column: Removal

Position front wheels straight ahead.
Remove and isolate the negative ground cable from the battery.
Remove the airbag, (Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ).

NOTE: If equipped with cruise control, disconnect clock spring harness from the cruise switch harness on the steering wheel.

Fig 1: Removing Steering Wheel

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Remove the steering wheel with an appropriate puller (Fig 1 ).

NOTE: Ensure the puller jaws are seated in the pockets (Fig 2 ) of the steering wheel armature.

Fig 2: Identifying Steering Wheel Pockets

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Fig 3: Releasing Lock Cylinder

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Turn ignition cylinder to the on position and remove cylinder by pressing release through lower shroud access hole (Fig 3 ) (Refer to KEY CYLINDER ).
Remove knee blocker cover and knee blocker, (Refer to KNEE BLOCKER - REMOVAL ).
Remove screws from the lower column shroud (Fig 4 ) and remove the shroud.

Fig 4: Removing/Installing Shroud
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the steering coupler bolt and column mounting nuts (Fig 5 ) then lower column off the mounting studs.

Fig 5: Locating Steering Column Mounting Holes
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Remove upper column shroud (Fig 4 ).

NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, remove shifter interlock cable from the column. (Refer to AUTOMATIC - 30RH/GEAR SHIFT CABLE - REMOVAL ).

Fig 6: Identifying Column Wiring Harness

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Disconnect and remove the wiring harness from the column (Fig 6 ).
Remove column.
Remove clock spring (Fig 7 ), switches, (SKIM if equipped) (Refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ).

Fig 7: Identifying Clock Spring
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.