Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Collapsible Steering Columns: Removal
- Center steering wheel and disconnect battery ground cable. Remove steering coupling shield if equipped. Disconnect steering shaft at flexible coupling or pot joint. Note coupling bolt size and location and mark shafts for reassembly reference. For vehicles with a universal joint and intermediate shaft, disconnect flex coupling and remove shaft. Disconnect column shift linkage from lever(s).
- Remove steering wheel if necessary for removal clearance. Remove column trim pads, shrouds and instrument panel covers as required. Disconnect all electrical wiring to steering column and vacuum lines if equipped with automatic parking brake release on column. Disconnect shift quadrant cable or link from column shift bowl if equipped.
- Move seat back as far as possible to provide removal clearance.CAUTION: Do not remove upper support first, as column may bend under its own weight.
Remove floor pan trim cover and column lower supports. Remove bolts attaching upper bracket to column. Note number and position of shims for reinstallation. Remove column bracket fasteners and lower column. Disconnect wiring from ignition switch, turn signal switch and neutral start switch (if equipped). Carefully remove column guiding column shift levers through firewall.
NOTE: Correct column installation is important to prevent stress on collapsible components during mounting.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.