
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
MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DIS-
CHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN
ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS,
SCREWS, AND BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR
THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COAT-
INGS AND ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE
AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE
REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTITUTES. 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
or shift tube. This may cause the shaft/shift tube to
collapse or damage the bearing.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the pivot pins
to disassemble the tilting mechanism. Do not
remove shaft lock plate, plate retainer, park lock
link or slider. This will damage the column (Fig. 2)
and (Fig. 3) .
REMOVAL
(1) Position the front wheels straight ahead.
(2) Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from
the battery.(3) Remove the airbag, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/
RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
(4) Remove the steering wheel with an appropriate
puller,(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN/STEER-
ING WHEEL - REMOVAL).
CAUTION: Ensure the puller bolts are fully engaged
into the steering wheel and not into the clock-
spring, before attempting to remove the wheel. Fail-
ure to do so may damage the steering wheel.
(5) Remove the shift link rod in the engine com-
partment (if equipped). Pry the rod out from the
grommet in the shift lever.
(6) Scribe or paint reference mark on the column
shaft-to-coupler. This will aid in column shaft instal-
lation alignment. Remove the steering column shaft-
to-coupler bolt (Fig. 4).
(7) Remove the steering column opening cover/
knee blocker, (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT
PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER -
REMOVAL).
(8) Remove the PRNDL cable on column shift vehi-
cles. Put the shift lever inParkposition. Pull the
cable and twist to remove from the position arm.
Push the tab up on bottom of the cable retainer, then
squeeze sides to remove retainer from the column
(Fig. 5).
(9) Remove the tilt lever (if equipped) from the col-
umn.
(10) Remove the upper and lower lock housing
shroud and remove the lower fixed shroud.
(11) Remove the turn signal multi-function switch
connector with a 7mm socket (Fig. 6).
(12) Loosen the upper Support Bracket nuts to
allow some slack. This will aid in removal of the
upper fixed shroud.
Fig. 2 Observe Cautions
1 - CAUTION: NEVER REMOVE IGNITION LOCKING LINK
2 - CAUTION: NEVER REMOVE PARK LOCK SLIDER
3 - CAUTION: NEVER REMOVE SHAFT LOCK PLATE
Fig. 3 Observe Cautions
1 - CAUTION: NEVER REMOVE SHAFT LOCK PLATE RETAINER
BR/BECOLUMN 19 - 7
COLUMN (Continued)

(13) Remove the electrical connections from Key-in
light, Ignition Switch, Horn, Overdrive Switch and
Clock Spring (Speed Control) (Fig. 7).
(14) Remove the wiring harness from the column
by prying out the plastic retainer buttons.
(15) Remove the toe plate fasteners.
(16) Remove the column from vehicle.
(17) Remove the Ignition and Multi-Function
Switch, then remove the Clock Spring and tape the
Clock Spring to prevent it from turning, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
REMOVAL).INSTALLATION
(1) Install the clock spring and switches, (Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
INSTALLATION).
NOTE: Turn the Ignition Switch to the on position
and verify the gear shifter moves. If the shifter does
not move ensure the Ignition Switch is installed
properly.
(2) Column shift vehicles, install a new grommet.
Use multi-purpose lubricant, or equivalent, to aid
installation of the grommet.
Fig. 4 Steering Coupler-Typical
1 - STEERING COUPLER
2 - STEERING COLUMN
3 - SHIFT LEVER
Fig. 5 PRNDL Drive
1 - PRNDL LEVER
2 - THUMB SCREW
3 - CABLE RETAINER
4 - PRNDL CABLE
Fig. 6 Multi-function Switch
1 - STEERING COLUMN ASSY.
2 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR
3 - TURN SIGNAL SWITCH AND LEVER
Fig. 7 Steering Column Wiring
1 - KEY-IN SWITCH & HALO LIGHT
2 - MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH
3 - TURN SIGNAL SWITCH & LEVER
4 - IGNITION SWITCH
5 - SPEED CONTROL
19 - 8 COLUMNBR/BE
COLUMN (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - IGNITION SWITCH
AND KEY LOCK CYLINDER
ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSIS
For ignition switch electrical schematics, refer to
Ignition Switch in the appropriate section of Electri-
cal Wiring Diagrams.
MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS (KEY DIFFICULT TO
ROTATE)
Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission and a floor mounted shifter:a cable is
used to connect the interlock device in the steering
column assembly, to the transmission floor shift
lever. This interlock device is used to lock the trans-
mission shifter in the PARK position when the key
lock cylinder is rotated to the LOCKED or ACCES-
SORY position. The interlock device within the steer-
ing column is not serviceable. If repair is necessary,
the steering column assembly must be replaced.
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - REMOVAL).
If the ignition key is difficult to rotate to or from
the LOCK or ACCESSORY position, it may not be
the fault of the key cylinder or the steering column
components. The brake transmission shift interlock
cable may be out of adjustment. Refer to Brake
Transmission Shift Interlock Cable Adjustment in
Transmissions for adjustment procedures.
Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission and a steering column mounted shifter:
an interlock device is located within the steering col-
umn. This interlock device is used to lock the trans-
mission shifter in the PARK position when the key
lock cylinder is in the LOCKED or ACCESSORY
position. If it is difficult to rotate the key to or from
the LOCK or ACCESSORY position, the interlock
device within the steering column may be defective.
This device is not serviceable. If repair is necessary,
the steering column assembly must be replaced.
(Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN - REMOVAL).
Vehicles equipped with a manual transmis-
sion and a floor mounted shifter:on certain mod-
els, a lever is located on the steering column behind
the ignition key lock cylinder. The lever must be
manually operated to allow rotation of the ignition
key lock cylinder to the LOCK or ACCESSORY posi-
tion. If it is difficult to rotate the key to the LOCK or
ACCESSORY position, the lever mechanism may be
defective. This mechanism is not serviceable. If
repair is necessary, the steering column assembly
must be replaced. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COL-
UMN - REMOVAL).
On other models, the ignition key cylinder must be
depressed to allow it to be rotated into the LOCK or
ACCESSORY position. If it is difficult to rotate the
key to the LOCK or ACCESSORY position, the lockmechanism within the steering column may be defec-
tive. This mechanism is not serviceable. If repair is
necessary, the steering column assembly must be
replaced. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COLUMN -
REMOVAL).
LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING
REMOVAL
The ignition key must be in the key cylinder for
cylinder removal.
(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.
(2) If equipped with tilt column, remove tilt lever
by turning it counterclockwise.
(3) Remove upper and lower covers (shrouds) from
steering column (Fig. 8).
(4) If equipped with automatic transmission, place
shifter in PARK position.
(5) A retaining pin (Fig. 9) is located at side of key
cylinder assembly.
(a) Rotate key to RUN position.
Fig. 8 Shroud Removal/InstallationÐTypical
1 - NUT
2 - STEERING WHEEL
3 - TILT LEVER
4 - UPPER SHROUD
5 - PANEL BRACKET
6 - SPACER
7 - NUT
8 - LOWER SHROUD
9 - CLOCK SPRING
19 - 10 COLUMNBR/BE
KEY-IN IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)

GEAR SHIFT LEVER
REMOVAL
(1) Support the steering column assembly as
shown in (Fig. 14) using a suitable size socket and
back-up support.
(2) Disconnect over drive switch wiring.
(3) Using a drift of the appropriate size drive the
knurled pin out of the steering column and gear shift
lever. Remove the gear shift lever from the steering
column assembly.
CAUTION: The pin can only be removed from the
direction shown (Fig. 14).
INSTALLATION
(1) Support the steering column using a suitable
size socket and back-up support.
(2) Install the gear shift lever into the steering col-
umn assembly. Align the pin holes in the gear shift
lever and the steering column assembly.CAUTION: The pin must be installed in the original
direction.
(3) Carefully Install the pin into the steering col-
umn assembly and through the shift lever. If the pin
binds check the alignment on the holes. Be sure pin
is fully installed into the steering column assembly.
(4) Connect over drive switch wiring.
STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
For steering wheel removal procedure,(Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
REMOVAL) .
INSTALLATION
For steering wheel installation procedure,(Refer to
8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING -
INSTALLATION).
Fig. 13 Ignition Switch Removal/Installation
1 - TAMPER PROOF SCREW
2 - IGNITION SWITCH
3 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS
Fig. 14 Gear Shift Lever Removal
1 - IGNITION SWITCH
2 - KNURLED PIN
3 - GEARSHIFT LEVER
4 - SOCKET
5 - DRIFT
6 - HAMMER
BR/BECOLUMN 19 - 13
IGNITION SWITCH (Continued)

WORM THRUST BEARING PRELOAD
(1) Mount the gear carefully into a vise.
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the vise on the gear
case. This may affect the adjustment
(2) Remove adjuster plug locknut (Fig. 5) .
(3) Rotate the stub shaft back and forth with a 12
point socket to drain the remaining fluid.
(4) Turn the adjuster in with Spanner Wrench
C-4381. Tighten the plug and thrust bearing in the
housing until firmly bottomed in the housing about
28-31 N´m (20-23 ft. lbs.).
(5) Place an index mark on the housing even with
one of the holes in adjuster plug (Fig. 6) .
(6) Measure back (counterclockwise) 18 mm (0.70
in) and mark the housing (Fig. 7) .
(7) Rotate adjustment cap back (counterclockwise)
with spanner wrench until hole is aligned with the
second mark (Fig. 8) .
(8) Install and tighten lock nut to 108 N´m (80 ft.
lbs.). Be sure adjustment cap does not turn while
tightening the lock nut.
PITMAN SHAFT OVER-CENTER PRELOAD
NOTE: Before performing this procedure, the worm
bearing preload adjustment must be performed.
(1) Rotate the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
from stop to stop and count the number of turns.
(2) Starting at either stop, turn the stub shaft
back 1/2 the total number of turns. This is the center
of the gear travel (Fig. 9) .(3) Place the torque wrench in the vertical position
on the stub shaft. Rotate the wrench 45 degrees each
side of the center and record the highest rotational
torque in this range (Fig. 10) . This is the Over-Cen-
ter Rotating Torque.
NOTE: The stub shaft must rotate smoothly without
sticking or binding.
Fig. 5 Adjuster Lock Nut
1 - ADJUSTER NUT
2 - STEERING GEAR
3 - LOCK NUT
4 - PUNCH
Fig. 6 Alignment Marking On Housing
1 - INDEX
Fig. 7 Second Marking On Housing
1 - REFERENCE MARK
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 17
GEAR (Continued)

(4) Rotate the stud shaft between 180É and 270É to
the left of center and record the left off-center pre-
load. Repeat this to the right of center and record the
right off-center preload. The average of these two
recorded readings is the Preload Rotating Torque.
(5) The Over-Center Rotating Torque should be
0.23-0.68 N´m (2-6 in. lbs.)higherthan the Preload
Rotating Torque.
(6) If an adjustment to the Over-Center Rotating
Torque is necessary, first loosen the adjuster lock
nut. Then turn the pitman shaft adjuster screw back
(COUNTERCLOCKWISE) until fully extended, then
turn back in (CLOCKWISE) one full turn.
(7) Remeasure Over-Center Rotating Torque. If
necessary turn the adjuster screw and repeat mea-
surement until correct Over-Center Rotating Torque
is reached.
NOTE: To increase the Over-Center Rotating Torque
turn the screw CLOCKWISE.
(8) Prevent the adjuster screw from turning while
tightening adjuster lock nut. Tighten the adjuster
lock nut to 49 N´m (36 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 8 Aligning To The Second Mark
1 - FIRST MARK
2 - SECOND MARK
3 - SPANNER WRENCH
Fig. 9 Steering Gear Centered
1 - ADJUSTMENT SCREW
2 - MASTER SPLINE
Fig. 10 Checking Over-center Rotation Torque
1 - CENTER
19 - 18 GEARBR/BE
GEAR (Continued)

STEERING GEAR HOUSING
PLUG
REMOVAL
(1) Unseat and remove retaining ring from groove
with a punch through the hole in the end of the
housing (Fig. 32).
(2) Slowly rotate stub shaft with 12 point socket
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE to force the end plug out
from housing.
CAUTION: Do not turn stub shaft any further than
necessary. The rack piston balls will drop out of the
rack piston circuit if the stub shaft is turned too far.
(3) Remove O-ring from the housing (Fig. 33).
INSTALLATION
(1) Lubricate O-ring with power steering fluid and
install into the housing.
(2) Install end plug by tapping the plug lightly
with a plastic mallet into the housing.
(3) Install retaining ring so one end of the ring
covers the housing access hole (Fig. 34).
WORM SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Remove housing end plug, (Refer to 19 -
STEERING/GEAR/STEERING GEAR HOUSING
PLUG - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove rack piston plug (Fig. 35).
(3) Remove side cover and pitman shaft.
(4) Turn stub shaft COUNTERCLOCKWISE until
the rack piston begins to come out of the housing.
(5) Insert Arbor C-4175 into bore of rack piston
(Fig. 36) and hold tool tightly against worm shaft.
(6) Turn the stub shaft with a 12 point socket
COUNTERCLOCKWISE, this will force the rack pis-
Fig. 31 Stub Shaft Cap O-Ring
1 - VALVE BODY
2 - STUB SHAFT CAP
3 - O-RING
Fig. 32 End Plug Retaining Ring
1 - RETAINING RING
Fig. 33 End Plug Components
1 - HOUSING ASSEMBLY
2 - HOUSING END PLUG O-RING SEAL
3 - HOUSING END PLUG
4 - RETAINING RING
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 27
SPOOL VALVE (Continued)

INSTALLATION
NOTE: Clean and dry all components and lubricate
with power steering fluid.(1) Check for scores, nicks or burrs on the rack
piston finished surface. Slight wear is normal on the
worm gear surfaces.
(2) Install O-ring and teflon ring on the rack pis-
ton.
(3) Install worm shaft in the rack piston and align
worm shaft spiral groove with rack piston ball guide
hole (Fig. 40).
CAUTION: The rack piston balls must be installed
alternately into the rack piston and ball guide. This
maintains worm shaft preload. There are 12 black
balls and 12 silver (Chrome) balls. The black balls
are smaller than the silver balls.
(4) Lubricate and install rack piston balls through
return guide hole while turning worm shaft COUN-
TERCLOCKWISE (Fig. 40).
(5) Install remaining balls in guide using grease to
hold the balls in place (Fig. 41).
(6) Install the guide onto rack piston and install
clamp and clamp bolts. Tighten bolts to 4.8 N´m (43
in. lbs.).
(7) Insert Arbor C-4175 into bore of rack piston
and hold tool tightly against worm shaft.
(8) Turn the worm shaft COUNTERCLOCKWISE
while pushing on the arbor. This will force the rack
piston onto the arbor and hold the rack piston balls
in place.
(9) Install the races and thrust bearing on the
worm shaft and install shaft in the housing (Fig. 39).
(10) Install the stub shaft with spool valve, thrust
support assembly and adjuster nut in the housing.
Fig. 38 Rack Piston Teflon Ring and O-Ring
1 - TEFLON SEAL
2 - BACK-UP O-RING MUST BE INSTALLED UNDER PISTON
RING
3 - RACK PISTON NUT
Fig. 39 Worm Shaft
1 - GEAR HOUSING
2 - BEARING RACE
3 - WORM SHAFT
4 - BEARING
Fig. 40 Installing Balls in Rack Piston
1 - INSTALL BALLS IN THIS HOLE WHILE SLOWLY ROTATING
WORM COUNTER CLOCKWISE
2 - WORM FLANGE
BR/BEGEAR 19 - 29
WORM SHAFT (Continued)