CAUTION: When removing a deployed air bag, wear eye protection, rubber
gloves and a long-sleeve shirt. Powder residue from air bag
deployment may irritate skin and eyes.
CAUTION: Before removing steering wheel, position front wheels in
straight-ahead position and lock steering column by removing
ignition key. Failure to do so could damage clockspring or
cause clockspring to be off-centered. DO NOT hammer on
steering wheel during removal, or collapsible column could be
damaged.
Removal
1) Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS. Disable air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM . Air bag module
is mounted on face of steering wheel. Ensure wheels are pointed
straight-ahead and steering wheel is locked.
2) Remove air bag module-to-steering wheel screws from back
side of steering wheel. Lift air bag module and disconnect electrical
connectors from rear of module.
Installation
Connect air bag, cruise control and horn harness connectors
to rear of air bag module. Secure module to steering wheel. Tighten
air bag module-to-steering wheel screws to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . DO NOT connect negative battery cable at this
time. Go to SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE
Removal
1) Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS. Disable air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
2) Open glove box. Holding glove box door, push center of
glove box bin towards front of vehicle. Flex glove box bin far enough
so glove box stops will clear sides of instrument panel opening. Roll
glove box down until stop bumpers are beyond sides of instrument panel
opening. Release bin. Lift bottom of glove box upward to disengage
hinge hooks form hinge pins.
3) Remove 3 screws securing instrument panel glove box
opening upper trim strip to instrument panel glove box opening upper
reinforcement, then remove trim strip. Remove 4 screws that secure 2
plastic support brackets of passenger-side air bag door panel outlet
housing to glove box opening upper reinforcement.
4) Reach through and above glove box opening to access and
disconnect air bag module harness connector. Remove 2 screws securing
passenger-side air bag module front bracket to instrument panel
structural support. Remove 3 screws securing passenger-side air bag
module rear bracket to glove box opening upper reinforcement.
5) Using trim stick, gently pry passenger-side air bag door
(starting at lower left edge) away from instrument panel top cover.
Remove air bag module, air bag door and panel outlet housing and
barrel assembly from instrument panel as a unit.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure air bag door is
securely attached to instrument panel. Ensure air bag harness
connector latches fully engaged. DO NOT connect negative battery cable
at this time. Go to SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
CLOCKSPRING
CAUTION: Failure to position wheels in the straight-ahead position
with steering wheel locked when removing steering wheel could
damage clockspring and/or require clockspring to be
readjusted.
NOTE: Clockspring is self-centering and will automatically lock in
the centered position when steering wheel is removed.
Adjustment is only required if centering position is
disturbed.
Removal
1) Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS. Disable air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
2) Clockspring is located behind steering wheel. See Fig. 1.
Ensure front wheels are in straight-ahead position. Lock steering
wheel. Remove air bag module. See AIR BAG MODULE.
3) Remove steering wheel nut. Using appropriate steering
wheel puller, remove steering wheel. When steering wheel is removed,
self-centering clockspring will automatically lock in place. Remove
upper and lower steering column shrouds to gain access to clockspring
wiring.
4) Remove knee bolster (if equipped). Disconnect Yellow 2-wa\
y
clockspring harness connector between clockspring and instrument panel
wiring harness, at base of steering column. See Fig. 13. Remove
clockspring by releasing 2 tabs on side of clockspring. Clockspring
cannot be repaired and must be replaced if faulty.
Installation
1) Snap clockspring onto steering column. If clockspring
centering adjustment is disturbed, adjust clockspring before
installing steering wheel. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING under
ADJUSTMENTS. Connect clockspring wiring connectors. Install steering
column covers. Install knee bolster (if removed).
2) Position steering wheel on steering column. Ensure flats
on steering wheel hub fit formations on inside of clockspring. Pull
clockspring, cruise control switch (if equipped) and horn wires
through lower large holes and upper small holes in steering wheel.
3) Install steering wheel retaining nut and tighten to 45 ft.
lbs. (61 N.m). Connect horn and cruise control wires (if equipped).
Connect clockspring wire to air bag module. To ensure complete
connector connection, latching arms must be visible on top of
connector housing. DO NOT connect negative battery cable at this time.
Go to SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK .
PASSENGER AIR BAG DISARM (PAD) SWITCH
Removal & Installation
1) Before proceeding, see SERVICE PRECAUTIONS. Disable air
bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
2) If vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, turn
ignition switch to UNLOCK position, set parking brake and place
transmission selector lever in LOW position. Tilt steering column to
lowest position (if equipped). Using trim stick, gently pry around
perimeter of cluster bezel and remove bezel.
3) Open glove box. Holding glove box door, push center of
glove box bin towards front of vehicle. Flex glove box bin far enough
so glove box stops will clear sides of instrument panel opening. Roll
glove box down until stop bumpers are beyond sides of instrument panel
opening. Release bin. Lift bottom of glove box upward to disengage
hinge hooks form hinge pins.
4) Reach through glove box opening to access and disconnect 2
passenger-side air bag disarm switch harness connectors. Connectors
are attached to bracket located on inboard glove box opening
reinforcement. See Fig. 4. Remove 3 screws retaining passenger-side
air bag disarm switch bezel to instrument panel.
CLOCKSPRING CENTERING
CAUTION: If rotating part of clockspring is not positioned properly
with steering column and front wheels, clockspring failure
may result. The following procedure must be used to center
clockspring.
Depress 2 plastic auto-locking tabs. See Fig. 5. Keeping
auto-locking tabs depressed, rotate clockspring rotor clockwise to end
of its travel. DO NOT apply excessive force. Rotate rotor
counterclockwise 2 1/2 turns from end of travel and release auto-
locking tabs. Ensure horn wire ends up at the top and air bag module
wire at the bottom.
Fig. 5: Centering Clockspring
Courtesy of DaimlerChrysler Corp.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS