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 MIN-
UTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDEN-
TAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY. THE FASTENERS, SCREWS, AND
BOLTS, ORIGINALLY USED FOR THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS, HAVE SPECIAL COATINGS AND ARE SPE-
CIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THEY MUST NEVER BE REPLACED WITH ANY SUBSTI-
TUTES. ANYTIME A NEW FASTENER IS NEEDED, REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT FASTENERS PROVIDED
IN THE SERVICE PACKAGE OR FASTENERS LISTED IN THE PARTS BOOKS.

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COLUMN

CAUTION: Safety goggles should be worn at all times when working on steering columns.

The Steering Column has been designed so that the wiring, switches, shrouds and steering wheel can be serviced
without removing the Steering Column from the vehicle.

To service the Steering Wheel, Switches or Airbag refer to the appropriate procedure.

REMOVAL

WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING
COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DIS-
ARMED. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN
ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND
POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Remove the left lower instrument panel (2) from

under the steering column. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT

PANEL/INSTRUMENT

PANEL

ASSEMBLY - REMOVAL).

COLUMN

19 - 9

3. Remove the driver airbag screws (1). (Refer to 8 -

ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER

AIRBAG

REMOVAL).

4. Position the front wheels in the straight-ahead

position.

5. Remove the steering wheel bolt (1) and remove the

steering wheel. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/COL-
UMN/STEERING WHEEL - REMOVAL).

6. Remove the clockspring screws (1). (Refer to 8 -

ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING

REMOVAL).

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COLUMN

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