Steering Wheel: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Center the front wheels to the straight ahead position.

WARNING: The electrical circuit necessary for the AIR BAG MODULE deployment is powered directly from the battery. To avoid accidental DEPLOYMENT and possible personal INJURY, the battery ground cable must be disconnected prior to servicing or replacing any air bag system components.

2. Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait one minute for the backup power supply energy to be depleted.





3. Remove the four driver side air bag module bolts and lift the driver side air bag module off the steering wheel.
4. Disconnect the driver side air bag module electrical connectors from the driver side air bag module.
5. If equipped, disconnect the speed control actuator switches electrical connector.
6. Remove the driver side air bag module.
7. Make an alignment mark on the steering wheel and the steering column shaft for proper installation.





8. Remove the steering wheel nut.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the steering wheel by hitting the steering column shaft with a hammer. The steering column shaft will collapse, causing the steering wheel to bind.

9. Use the appropriate steering wheel puller to remove the steering wheel. Route the wire harness through the steering wheel as the steering wheel is lifted off the steering column shaft.

Securing Airbag Clockspring:

10. Apply two strips of tape across the air bag sliding contact and housing to prevent accidental rotation.

INSTALLATION
1. Ensure that the vehicle's front wheels are in the straight ahead position.

CAUTION: If the air bag sliding contact has been accidentally rotated, the air bag sliding contact alignment must be adjusted.

2. Remove the tape strips from the air bag sliding contact and housing.
3. Route the wire harness through the steering wheel opening and position the steering wheel on the steering column shaft. Ensure that the alignment marks line up.
4. Install the steering wheel nut. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 39-49 Nm (29-36 ft. lbs.).
5. If equipped, connect the speed control actuator switches electrical connector.
6. Connect the driver side air bag module electrical connectors.
7. Position the driver side air bag module and install the four driver side air bag module bolts. Tighten the driver side air bag module bolts to 4-6 Nm (36-54 inch lbs.).
8. Connect the battery ground cable.