2A±10
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM
The steering column has three important features in
addition to the steering function:
1. The column is energy absorbing, designed to
compress in a front-end collision to minimize the
possibility of injury to the driver of the vehicle.
2. The ignition switch and lock are mounted
conveniently on the column.
3. With the column mounted lock, the ignition and
steering operation can be locked to prevent theft of
the vehicle.The column can be disassembled and reassembled.
However, to insure the energy absorbing action, use only
the specified screws, bolts and nuts as designated, and
tighten them to the specified torque.
Handle the column with care when it is removed from the
vehicle. A sharp blow on the end of steering shaft or shift
lever, or dropping the assembly could shear or loosen the
fasteners that maintain column rigidity.
Power Steering System Test
Test Procedure
C02RW001
Legend
(1) Fluid Reservoir(2) Power Steering Unit
(3) Power Steering Pump
Test of fluid pressure in the power steering system is
performed to determine whether or not the oil pump and
power steering unit are functioning normally.
The power steering system test is used to identify and
isolate hydraulic circuit difficulties. Prior to performing
this test, the following inspections and corrections, if
necessary, must be made.
Inspect pump reservoir for proper fluid level.
Inspect pump belt for proper tension.
Inspect pump driver pulley condition. 1. Place a container under the pump to catch the fluid
when disconnecting or connecting the hoses.
2. With the engine NOT running, disconnect the
pressure hose at the power steering pump and install
power steering tester J-29877-A. The gage must be
between the shutoff valve and pump. Open the
shutoff valve.
3. Check the fluid level. Fill the reservoir with power
steering fluid, to the ªFullº mark. Start the engine,
then turn the steering wheel and momentarily hold it
against a stop (right or left). Turn the engine off and
check the connections at tester for leakage.
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM2A±13
Caster (1) is the vertical tilting of the wheel axis either
forward or backward (when viewed from the side of the
vehicle). A backward tilt is positive (+) and a forward tilt is
negative (-). On the short and long arm type suspension
you cannot see a caster angle without a special
instrument, but if you look straight down from the top of
the upper control arm to the ground, the ball joints do not
line up (fore and aft) when a caster angle other than 0
degree is present. With a positive angle, the lower ball
joint would be slightly ahead (toward the front of the
vehicle) of the upper ball joint center line.
Toe-in:
This illustration shows view from the top of the vehicle.
480RS003Toe-in is the measured amount the front wheels are
turned in. The actual amount of toe-in is normally a
fraction of a degree. Toe-in is measured from the center
of the tire treads or from the inside of the tires. The
purpose of toe-in is to insure parallel rolling of the front
wheels and to offset any small deflections of the wheel
support system which occurs when the vehicle is rolling
forward. Incorrect toe-in results in excessive toe-in and
unstable steering. Toe-in is the last alignment to be set in
the front end alignment procedure.
Inspection
Before making any adjustments affecting caster, camber
or toe-in, the following front end inspection should be
made.
1. Inspect the tires for proper inflation pressure. Refer to
Main Data and Specifications in Wheel and Tire
System
section.
2. Make sure that the vehicle is unladen condition (With
no passenger or loading).
3. Make sure that the spare tire is installed at the normal
position.
4. Inspect the front wheel bearings for proper
adjustment. Refer to
Front Hub and Disc Overhaul in
Suspension
section.
5. Inspect the ball joints and tie rod ends. If excessive
looseness is noted, correct before adjusting. Refer to
Steering Linkage in this section.6. Inspect the wheel and tires for run-out. Refer to
Wheel Replacement in Wheel and Tire System
section.
7. Inspect the trim height. If not within specifications, the
correction must be made before adjusting caster.
8. Inspect the steering unit for looseness at the frame.
9. Inspect shock absorbers for leaks or any noticeable
noise. Refer to
Shock Absorber in Suspension
section.
10. Inspect the control arms or stabilizer bar attachment
for looseness. Refer to
Suspension section.
11. Inspect the front end alignment using alignment
equipment. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
12. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Trim Height Adjustment
Adjust the trim height (1) by means of the adjusting bolt on
the height control arms.
CAUTION: When adjusting front end alignment, be
sure to begin with trim height first, as it may change
other adjusted alignments.
450RS003
410RS001
2A±32
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM
6. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector and
horn lead located behind the inflator module.
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7. Remove inflator module.
Inspection and Repair
WARNING: T H E I N F L AT O R M O D U L E S H O U L D
ALWAYS BE CARRIED WITH THE TRIM COVER
AWAY FROM YOUR BODY AND SHOULD ALWAYS
BE LAID ON A FLAT SURFACE WITH THE
URETHANE SIDE UP. THIS IS NECESSARY
BECAUSE FREE SPACE IS PROVIDED TO ALLOW
THE AIR CUSHION TO EXPAND IN THE UNLIKELY
EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.
OTHERWISE, PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT .
827RW072
The inflator module consists of a cover, air bag, inflator,
and retainer. Inspect the inflator module mainly for the
following:
Check for holes, cracks, severe blemishes and
deformation on the cover.
Check that the retainer is not deformed.
Check for defects such as damage and breakage in
the lead wire for the igniter.
Replace the inflator module if a defect is found during
inspection.
Installation
1. Install inflator module.
2. Support the module and carefully connect the module
connector and horn lead.
NOTE: Pass the lead wire through the tabs on the plastic
cover (wire protector) of inflator to prevent lead wire from
being pinched.
3. Tighten bolts to specified torque.
Torque: 9 N´m (78 lb in)
4. Connect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located
under the steering column.
5. Connect the battery ª±º terminal cable.
6. Set ignition to ªONº while watching warning light.
Light should flash 7 times and then go off. If lamp
does not operate correctly, refer to
Restraints section.
2A±34
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM
5. Loosen the inflator module fixing bolt from behind the
steering wheel assembly using a TORX) driver or
equivalent until the inflator module can be released
from steering assembly.
827RW070
6. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located
behind the inflator module.
WARNING: T H E I N F L AT O R M O D U L E S H O U L D
ALWAYS BE CARRIED WITH THE TRIM COVER
AWAY FROM YOUR BODY AND SHOULD ALWAYS
BE LAID ON A FLAT SURFACE WITH THE
URETHANE SIDE UP. THIS IS NECESSARY
BECAUSE FREE SPACE IS PROVIDED TO ALLOW
THE AIR CUSHION TO EXPAND IN THE UNLIKELY
EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.
OTHERWISE, PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.
827RW073
7. Disconnect horn lead.8. Remove steering wheel fixing nut.
9. Apply a setting mark (1) across the steering wheel
and shaft so parts can be reassembled in their original
position, then remove steering wheel.
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10. Move the front wheels to the straight ahead position,
then use steering wheel remover J±29752 to remove
the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
shaft using a hammer or other impact tools in an
attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering
shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
430RX005
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM2A±35
Installation
1. Install steering wheel by aligning the setting marks
made when removing.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
shaft using a hammer or other impact tools in an
attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering
shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
2. Tighten the steering wheel fixing nut to the specified
torque.
Torque: 34 N´m (25 lb ft)
3. Connect horn lead.
4. Support the module and carefully connect the SRS
connector.
NOTE: Pass the lead wire through the tabs on the plastic
cover (wire protector) of inflator to prevent lead wire from
being pinches.
5. Tighten bolts to specified torque.
Torque: 9 N´m (78 lb in)
6. Connect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located
under the steering column.
7. Connect the battery ª±º terminal cable.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position and
observe the warning lamp. The lamp should flash 7
times. If the lamp does not operate correctly, refer to
Restraints section.
2A±38
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
shaft using a hammer or other impact tools in an
attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering
shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
430RX005
9. Remove steering column cover.
10. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors located
under the steering column then remove combination
switch and SRS coil assembly.
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Installation
1. Install combination switch and SRS coil assembly.
After installation of combination switch assembly,
connect the combination switch wiring harness
connector and the SRS 2-way connector located
under the steering column. Then turn the SRS coil
counter clockwise to full, return about 3 turns and
align the neutral mark.
CAUTION: Turn the SRS coil counter clockwise
until some resistance is felt, or damage may occur to
the SRS coil.
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POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM2A±39
2. When installing the steering column cover, be sure to
route each wire harness as illustrated so that the
harnesses do not catch on any moving parts.
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Legend
(1) Steering Column Cover
(2) Starter Switch Harness
(3) Combination Switch Harness
(4) Inflator Module Harness
3. Align the setting marks made when removing then
install steering wheel.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
shaft using a hammer or other impact tools in an
attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering
shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
4. Tighten the steering wheel fixing nut to the specified
torque.
Torque: 34 N´m (25 lb ft)
5. Support the inflator module and carefully connect the
SRS connector and horn lead.
NOTE: Pass the lead wire through the tabs on the plastic
cover (wire protector) of inflator to prevent lead wire from
being pinched.
6. Tighten bolts to specified torque.
Torque: 9 N´m (78 lb in)
7. Install driver knee bolster (reinforcement).
8. Install instrument panel lower cover then Install the
engine hood opening lever.
9. Connect the SRS connector.
10. Connect the battery ª-º terminal cable.
11. Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position and
observe the warning lamp. The lamp should flash 7
times. If the lamp does not operate correctly, refer to
Restraints section.
POWER±ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM2A±41
7. Loosen the inflator module fixing bolt from behind the
steering wheel assembly using a TORX) driver or
equivalent until the inflator module can be released
from steering assembly.
827RW070
8. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector and
horn lead located behind the inflator module.
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9. Apply a setting mark (1) across the steering wheel
and shaft so parts can be reassembled in their original
position.
430RW021
10. Move the front wheels to the straight ahead position,
then use steering wheel remover J±29752 to remove
the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
shaft using a hammer or other impact tools in an
attempt to remove the steering wheel. The steering
shaft is designed as an energy absorbing unit.
430RX005