WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR INSTALL THE AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU MUST
FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MIN-
UTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDEN-
TAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND
BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPE-
CIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTI-
TUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED
IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS BOOKS.
CAUTION: Do not hammer on steering column shaft. This may cause damage to the shaft or bearing.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot bolts to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Do not remove
shaft lock plate or plate retainer. This will damage the column.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove or modify the park lock slider or link.
NOTE: When servicing the steering wheel after removing the old bolt a new bolt must be used when install-
ing.
NOTE: When servicing the coupler a new bolt must be used when installing.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
STEERING COLUMN
If the vehicle is involved in a front end collision/the air bag has deployed the column must be inspected. This
inspection will determine if the Column has collapsed. Inspect the column mounting capsules visually and manually
push and pull them to check for separation or fractures. If capsules are fractured or have moved the column MUST
be replaced.
REMOVAL
WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DISARMED.
REFER TO ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
CAUTION: All fasteners must be torqued to specification to ensure proper operation of the steering column.
1. Position the front wheels straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery.
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COLUMN
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