Page 1945 of 2438

bolts and nut on locating stud (Fig. 2). The right rear
crossmember stud is a pilot that correctly locates
the crossmember. Tighten down this bolt first,
then torque all 4 crossmember fasteners to 122
N Im (90 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Proper torque on the crossmember to
frame rail mounting bolts is very important.
(3) Torque the 4 bolts (Fig. 3) attaching the steering
gear assembly to front crossmember, to 68 N Im (50 ft.
lbs.). To ensure proper alignment of the steering
gear tighten left front bolt first. (4) Attach the engine damper strut from the engine
to the crossmember (if so equipped). (5) Attach the fluid tubes (Fig. 3) from the power
steering pump to the fittings on the steering gear.
Torque the fluid pressure line to steering gear tube nut
to 31 N Im (275 in. lbs.).
(6) Mount the outer tie rod ends to the steering
knuckles. Install the tie rod end to steering knuckle
attaching nuts. Torque the tie rod end to steering
knuckle nuts to 52 N Im (38 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin
in tie rod end. (7) Install the front tire and wheel assemblies on
vehicle. Install the wheel lug nuts and torque to 129
N Im (95 ft. lbs.).
(8) Lower vehicle.
CAUTION: Do not use automatic transmission fluid. (9) Fill power steering pump fluid reservoir to the
(Full-Cold) proper level. (10) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.
Then turn the engine off.
(11) Add fluid if necessary.
(12) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(13) Start engine and turn steering wheel several
times from stop to stop to bleed air from fluid in
system. Stop engine, check fluid level, and inspect
system for leaks. Fill pump reservoir to correct
level with Mopar t, Power Steering Fluid, or
equivalent. See Checking Fluid Level.
(14) Lower front wheels of vehicle back on the
ground. (15) Adjust toe (Refer to Group 2 Suspension).
OUTER TIE ROD
REMOVAL
(1) Loosen inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam nut (Fig.
4). (2) Remove outer tie rod to steering knuckle cotter
pin and attaching nut (Fig. 4). (4) Remove the tie rod end from steering knuckles, using Puller Special Tool C-3894-A (Fig. 5).
(5) Remove outer tie rod from inner tie rod.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install outer tie rod onto inner tie rod. Make
sure jam nut is on inner tie rod (Fig. 4). (2) Do not tighten jam nut.
(3) Install outer tie rod onto steering knuckle. In-
stall tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut and
torque to 52 N Im (38 ft.lbs.).
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See Wheel
Alignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).
(4) Make toe adjustment by turning inner tie rod.
(5) Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to 75
N Im (55 ft. lbs.) torque. Lubricate tie rod boot groove
with silicone type lubricant before installing outer
boot clamp, making sure boot is not twisted.
Fig. 4 Outer Tie Rod
Fig. 5 Tie Rod End Removal
Ä STEERING 19 - 27
Page 1946 of 2438

ACUSTAR STANDARD AND TILT STEERING COLUMN INDEX
page page
General Information ....................... 28
Ignition Switch Service .................... 34 Steering Column Component Service
......... 34
Steering Column Service Procedures .......... 30
GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTRO-MECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE, REMOVE OR IN-
STALL THE AIR BAG SYSTEM COMPONENTS YOU
MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. FAILURE
TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DE-
PLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND POSSIBLE PER-
SONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGI-
NALLY USED FOR THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS,
HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPECIFI- CALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.
THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY
SUBSTITUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS
NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTEN-
ERS PROVIDED IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR
FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS BOOKS. BEFORE SERVICING A STEERING COLUMN
EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG, REFER TO GROUP
8M, ELECTRICAL FOR PROPER AND SAFE SER-
VICE PROCEDURES.
Safety goggles should be worn at all times
when working on steering columns.
19 - 28 STEERING Ä
Page 1947 of 2438
Fig. 1 Acustar Standard and Tilt Steering Column
Ä STEERING 19 - 29
Page 1948 of 2438

The Acustar tilt and standard column (Fig. 1) has
been designed to be serviced as an assembly; less wir-
ing, switches, shrouds, steering wheel, etc. Also, most
steering column components can be serviced without re-
moving the steering column from the vehicle.
CAUTION: Disconnect negative (ground) cable from
battery, before servicing any column component.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Damage will
occur.
STEERING COLUMN SERVICE PROCEDURES
To service the steering wheel and its components
or the air bag, refer to Group 8M, Restraint Systems.
Follow all WARNINGS. To service the switches, refer to the appropriate
section of Group 8, Electrical.
To replace the steering column assembly, refer to the
steering column removal procedure. For location of com-
ponents referred to in the procedure see (Fig. 1).
WARNING: BEFORE BEGINNING ANY AIR BAG
SYSTEM COMPONENT INSTALLATION OR RE-
MOVAL PROCEDURES. REMOVE AND ISOLATE
THE NEGATIVE (-) BATTERY CABLE (GROUND)
FROM THE VEHICLE BATTERY. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL
(1) Make sure the front wheels of the vehicle are
in the straight ahead position.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from
the battery and isolate cable. (3) For vehicles equipped with a column shift. Dis-
connect the transmission shift cable from the steer-
ing column by prying it out of the grommet in the
shift lever (Fig. 2). (4) Remove the steering wheel center pad. Discon-
nect electrical components such as horn lead, air bag
lead and speed control switch lead (if equipped) from
center pad (Fig. 3). (5) Remove the steering wheel retaining nut from
the steering column shaft. Remove steering wheel
from shaft using Puller, Special Tool C-3428-B (Fig.
4). Do not bump or hammer on steering column
shaft to remove wheel. (6) Remove the lower steering column cover (Fig.
5). (7) Remove the retaining pin in the upper to lower
steering coupler retaining bolt (Fig. 6).
Fig. 2 Shift Cable Removal From Grommet
Fig. 3 Horn Pad Removal (Typical)
Fig. 4 Removing Steering Wheel (Typical)
19 - 30 STEERING Ä
Page 1949 of 2438

(8) Remove the upper to lower steering coupler re-
taining nut and pinch bolt (Fig. 6). Remove the upper
steering coupler from the lower steering coupler shaft.
(9) Place the gear shift lever in either the neutral
or park position. (10) Remove the PRNDL indicator actuation cable
from the steering column actuating arm (Fig. 7).
(11) Release the lock bar on the column insert.
Squeeze the legs of the column insert together and re-
move insert from steering column assembly (Fig. 7).
(12) Secure the insert and actuation cable out of
the way. (13) Remove tilt lever (if equipped) from steering
column.
(14) Remove the upper and lower lock housing
shrouds (Fig. 1) from the steering column assembly. Re-
move the lower fixed shroud from the steering column
assembly. The shroud fasteners are Torx-headscrews.
(15) Remove the wiring harness connector to the
turn signal/multi-function switch using a 7mm
socket as shown in (Fig. 8). (16) Remove the electrical connections from the
Key-in Switch & Halo Light, Main Ignition Switch,
Horn connection or Clock Spring (Speed Control
Equipped) (Fig. 9). (17) Loosen the upper steering column support
bracket nuts (Fig.10) to allow some slack. This will
aid in removal of the upper fixed shroud. (18) Remove the upper fixed shroud (Fig. 1) from
the steering column assembly. Remove the wiring
harness from the steering column assembly by pry-
ing out the plastic retainer buttons (Fig. 8). (19) Remove the lower dash panel and support
bracket standoff fasteners (Fig. 1). (20) Remove the steering column assembly out
through the passenger compartment. Use care to
avoid damaging the paint or interior trim.
Fig. 5 Steering Column Cover Removed
Fig. 6 Steering Column Coupler Remove and Install
Fig. 7 PRNDL Cable Removal
Ä STEERING 19 - 31
Page 1950 of 2438

STEERING COLUMN INSTALLATION
(1) For column shift vehicles, install a new cable
attaching grommet into the steering column
shift lever (Fig. 11). Install grommet from the
cable side of the lever. Use pliers and a back-up
washer to snap the grommet into place (Fig. 11). Use Mopar tMultipurpose Lubricant, or equivalent,
to aid installation of the grommet. A replacement
grommet should be used whenever the rod is
disconnected from the lever.
(2) Install the ground clip on the left capsule slot (Fig.
12). The plastic capsules should be pre-assembled in the
bracket slots. Remove the shipping lock pin (Fig. 1)
located on lower column jacket when installing a
new steering column. Insert the column through the
floor pan opening while being careful to avoid damaging
the interior paint and trim.
Fig. 8 Multi-function Switch Wiring Harness Connector
Fig. 9 Steering Column Wiring
Fig. 10 Steering Column Support Bracket
Fig. 11 Replacement Cable Grommet Installation
Fig. 12 Ground Clip & Spacer Installation
19 - 32 STEERING Ä
Page 1951 of 2438

(3) Position the steering column assembly in the
vehicle. Align the steering column assembly mounting
bracket slots on the brake pedal bracket attaching
studs (Fig. 13). Install, but loose assemblethe two
upper column bracket, washers and nuts.
(4) Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-
ahead position. Align and assemble the upper steering
coupler to lower steering coupler. Install the upper to
lower steering coupler retaining bolt and nut. Torque
the retaining bolt nut to 28 N Im (250 in. lbs.). Be sure
to install the upper to lower steering coupler
retaining bolt retention pin (Fig. 6). (5) Install the buttons which retain the multi func-
tion switch wiring harness to the steering column.
Connect the multi-function switch wiring harness con-
nector to the multi-function switch. Torque the connec-
tor retaining bolt to 2 N Im (17 in. lbs) usin ga7mm
socket (Fig. 8). (6) Install the upper fixed shroud onto the steering
column assembly. (7) Be sure both breakaway capsules are fully seated
in the slots of the steering column upper support
bracket. Torque the 2 upper steering column assembly
to support bracket nuts to 12 N Im (105 in. lbs.). Torque
the 2 lower steering column assembly to mounting
bracket nuts to 12 N Im (105 in. lbs.).
(8) Complete the wiring harness connections to the
remaining steering column switches (Fig. 9). Install
the lower fixed shroud onto the steering column.
(9) Route the PRNDL actuator assembly under left
steering column wing and along left side of steering
column. Insert the flange of the PRNDL actuator steering
column insert into the steering column jacket (Fig. 7).
Squeeze the legs of the steering column insert together
and install tabs under steering column jacket. Engage
lock bar to secure the actuator assembly into the steering
column jacket (Fig. 7). (10) Hook the PRNDL actuator cable eyelet to the
steering column actuator arm (Fig. 7). Move the shift
lever to neutral, check pointer location, should indicate neutral. If pointer does not indicate neutral adjust actua-
tor with tool (Fig. 14) to center pointer on N (Neutral) and
then check pointer location in other gears.
(11) Install the lock housing shrouds. The shroud
fasteners are Torx-headscrews. Install the tilt lever
(if equipped). (12) Install the lower dash panel cover.
(13) For steering wheel installation with speed con-
trol refer to Group 8 Electrical. For non-speed control,
place the steering wheel on the steering column shaft
with the master splines aligned. Install the steering
wheel to column shaft retaining nut. Tighten retaining
nut to 61 N Im (45 ft. lbs.) torque. Do not force the
steering wheel onto the column shaft by driving
it on with a heavy object. Pull steering wheel
down onto column shaft using ONLY the steering
wheel retaining nut.
(14) For vehicles equipped with a column shift. Pass
the transmission shift cable through its mounting bracket
on the steering column assembly. Connect the transmis-
sion shift cable to the shift lever on the steering column
assembly. Install the shift cable to mounting bracket
retaining clip (Fig. 2). The grommet must be installed
in the shift lever (Fig. 11) before the cable is in-
serted into the grommet. Use MopartMultipurpose
Lubricant, or an equivalent product, to aid installation of
shift link rod into grommet.
(15) Re-adjust the transmission shift linkage.
Whenever the steering column is loosened or
removed, the shift linkage MUST be adjusted and
tested. Refer to Group 21 Transmission for the shift
linkage adjustment procedure.
Fig. 13 Steering Column Mounting
Fig. 14 PRNDL Actuator Cable Adjustment
Ä STEERING 19 - 33
Page 1952 of 2438

(16) Connect the battery ground (negative) cable.
Test the operation of the lights and horns. If applica-
ble, reset the clock and radio.
STEERING COLUMN COMPONENT SERVICE
The Acustar tilt and standard steering columns
(Fig.1) have been designed to be serviced as an as-
sembly; less wiring, switches, shrouds, steering
wheel, etc. Also most steering column components
can be serviced without removing the steering col-
umn from the vehicle. For additional information on
electrical components refer to Group 8H Electrical.
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
The gear shift lever (if equipped) is a serviceable
component of the Acustar steering column assembly.
REMOVE (1) Support the steering column assembly as
shown in (Fig. 1) using a suitable size socket. (2) Using a drift of the appropriate size drive the
roll pin out of the steering column and gear shift le-
ver (Fig. 1). Remove the gear shift lever from the
steering column assembly.
INSTALL (1) Support the steering column assembly as
shown in (Fig. 1) using a suitable size socket. (2) Install the gear shift lever into the steering col-
umn assembly. Align the roll pin holes in the gear
shift lever and the steering column assembly. (3) Carefully Install the roll pin into the steering
column assembly and through the shift lever. If the
roll pin binds check the alignment on the holes. Be
sure roll pin is fully installed into the steering col-
umn assembly.
IGNITION SWITCH SERVICE
TEST AND REPAIR
If the ignition switch effort seems to be excessive
due to binding. Follow the procedure outlined below
to determine the cause.
When service procedures are performed on the
Acustar steering column there are certain areas of the
column that can not be tampered with. If a problem re-
lated to these areas of the steering column are detected.
The entire steering column (less the removable compo-
nents) should be replaced see (Fig. 2 and 3).
(1) Remove ignition switch from steering column.
Refer to Group 8H Electrical.
(2) Using a key cylinder, check the turning effort
of the switch.
² If the ignition switch binds look for the following
conditions.
Fig. 1 Gear Shift Lever Removal
Fig. 2 Steering Column Non-Serviceable Components
19 - 34 STEERING Ä