Page 171 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
3C
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-1
SECTION 3C
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
(NOT EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG)
NOTE:
All steering wheel and column fasteners are important parts in that they could affect the performance of
vital parts and systems, and / or could result in major repair expense. They must be replaced with one of
the same part number or with an equivalent part if replacement becomes necessary. Do not use a replace-
ment part of lesser quality of substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassemb-
ly to assure proper retention of this part.
CONTENTS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION3C- 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS3C- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and repair required after accident 3C- 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE3C- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering wheel3C- 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Combination switch3C- 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering column assembly3C- 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering lock assembly (ignition switch) 3C-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering lower shaft assembly3C-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking steering column for accident damage 3C-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustable steering column release lever 3C-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS3C-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIAL TOOL3C-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This double tube type steering column has the following three important features in addition to the steering function:
The column is energy absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision.
The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on this column.
With the column mounted lock, the ignition and steering operations can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.
To insure the energy absorbing action, it is important that only the specified bolts be used as designated and that
they are tightened to the specified torque. When the column assembly is removed from the vehicle, special care
must be taken in handling it. Use of a steering wheel puller other than the one recommended in this manual or a
sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft, leaning on the assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear the
plastic shear pins which maintain column length and position.
Page 172 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering wheel pad
2. Steering wheel pad screw
3. Steering wheel nut
4. Steering wheel
5. Combination switch
6. Steering column upper cover
7. Steering column lower cover
8. Steering column assembly
9. Steering lock assembly
10. Steering column hole cover
11. Steering shaft joint
12. Steering lower shaft assembly
13. Adjustable steering column release lever
14. Steering column lower seal
: If equipped
*
3C-2 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
DIAGNOSIS
For diagnosis of the steering wheel, steering column and steering shaft lower assembly, refer to Section 3.
INSPECTION AND REPAIR REQUIRED AFTER ACCIDENT
After an accident, be sure to perform checks, inspections and repairs described under ªCHECKING STEERING
COLUMN FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGEº in this section.
Page 176 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Steering lower shaft assembly
4. Bolt (column side)
5. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)1. Steering column hole cover
: If equipped
*
3C-6 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
2) Remove steering wheel and combination switch, if necessary.
Refer to ªSTEERING WHEELº and ªCOMBINATION SWITCHº
in this section.
Perform the following procedure if not removing steering wheel
and / or combination switch.
i) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
ii) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) Remove steering column hole cover.
4) Disconnect all connectors for the following parts.
Combination switch
Ignition switch
Immobilizer control system parts (if equipped)
5) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
6) After removing bolt on column side of shaft joint and loosening
bolt on its lower shaft assembly side, move shaft joint to lower
shaft assembly side (in arrow direction in the figure).
Page 177 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Steering column mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
1. Shift (key) interlock cable
2. Screw
1. Capsule
2. Steering column bracket
3. Plate
1. Steering column assembly ªaº
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-7
7) Remove steering column mounting bolts (6 pieces).
8) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, remove shift (key) in-
terlock cable screw and then disconnect its cable from ignition
switch.
9) Remove steering column from vehicle.
INSPECTION
NOTE:
Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage,
where steering column has been impacted or air bag
deployed, may have a damaged or misaligned steering col-
umn.
CHECKING PROCEDURE
1) Check that two capsules are attached to steering column brack-
et securely. Check clearance between capsules and steering
column bracket. Clearance should be 0 mm (0 in.) on both sides.
If found loose or clearance, replace steering column assembly.
2) Check two plates for any damages such as crack or breakage.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering column assembly.
3) Take measurement ªaº as shown. If it is shorter than specified
length, replace column assembly with new one.
Length ªaº: 895 0.8 mm (35.24 0.03 in.)
Page 178 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Mounting bolt
3. Steering column lower seal
4. Dash panel
1. Steering column lower seal
In engine room
In cabin
3C-8 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
4) Check steering column lower seal for breakage or deformation.
If found defective, replace.
5) Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as
crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering lower shaft assem-
bly or steering column assembly.
6) Check steering shaft for smooth rotation.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
7) Check steering shaft and column for bend, cracks or deforma-
tion.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION:
After tightening steering column mounting bolts, steering
shaft joint bolts should be tightened.
After tightening steering column lower bolts, steering col-
umn upper bolts should be tightened.
1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight-
ahead position.
2) If equipped with shift (key) interlock cable, install shift (key) inter-
lock cable to ignition switch.
3) Install steering column assembly to dash panel and upper
bracket so that boss of steering column lower seal and all around
it project out of hole in dash panel into engine room. Tighten
steering column lower bolts (4 pieces) first and then upper bolts
(2 pieces) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 23 N
.m (2.3 kg-m, 17.0 lb-ft)
Page 180 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column
2. Steering lock
1. Center punch (with sharp point)
2. Steering lock mounting bolt
1. Steering column
2. Steering shaft
3C-10 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY (IGNITION
SWITCH)
REMOVAL
1) Remove steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in
this section.
2) Using center punch as shown, loosen and remove steering lock
mounting bolts.
NOTE:
Use care not to damage aluminum part of steering lock
body with center punch.
3) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and remove steering
lock assembly from steering column.
INSTALLATION
1) Position oblong hole of steering shaft in the center of hole in col-
umn.
2) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and install steering
lock assembly onto column.
3) Now turn ignition key to ªLOCKº position and pull it out.
4) Align hub on lock with oblong hole of steering shaft and rotate
shaft to assure that steering shaft is locked.
5) Tighten new bolts until head of each bolt is broken off.
6) Turn ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº position and check to be sure
that steering shaft rotates smoothly. Also check for lock opera-
tion.
7) Install steering column. Refer to ªSTEERING COLUMNº in this
section.
Page 181 of 801

YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Marks
1. Steering column assembly
2. Steering shaft joint
3. Steering lower shaft assembly
4. Bolt (column side)
5. Bolt (lower shaft assembly side)
1. Steering lower shaft assembly
2. Steering lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt
3. Steering shaft joint
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-11
STEERING LOWER SHAFT ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
1) Turn steering wheel so that vehicle's front tires are at straight-
ahead position.
2) Turn ignition switch to ªLOCKº position and remove key.
3) Make alignment marks on shaft joint and shaft (column side) for
a guide during reinstallation.
4) After removing bolt on column side of shaft joint and loosening
bolt on its lower shaft assembly side, move shaft joint to lower
shaft assembly side (in arrow direction in figure).
5) Make alignment marks on lower shaft assembly lower joint and
pinion shaft for a guide during reinstallation.
6) Remove lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt and then remove
lower shaft assembly.
7) Remove shaft joint bolt (lower shaft assembly side) from shaft
joint and then remove shaft joint from lower shaft assembly.
Page 184 of 801
YH4
GRAND
VITARA
1. Lower position
2. Upper position
3C-14 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN
09944-36011
Steering wheel remover
ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN RELEASE
LEVER
INSPECTION
Check to make sure that the following:
Steering column moves smoothly when adjustable steering col-
umn release lever is at lower position (i.e., steering column is not
locked).
Steering column is fixed securely when adjustable steering col-
umn release lever is at higher position (i.e., steering column is
locked).
TIGHTENING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
FasteningpartsTightening torqueFastening artsN.mkg-mlb-ft
Steering shaft nut333.323.5
Steering column mounting bolt232.317.0
Steering shaft joint bolt252.518.0
Steering lower shaft assembly lower joint bolt252.518.0
SPECIAL TOOL