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Steering column assembly

Steering column assembly

Warning

The collapsible steering column must be handled with care. If it is knocked or treated roughly, the preset length of the telescopic section could be altered and the energy-absorbing properties of the column impaired.

Under no circumstances should the steering column shaft be separated or taken apart.

When fitting the steering column, make absolutely sure that the intermediate shaft slides fully home on the pinion shaft so that the pinch bolt is lined up with the hole in the shaft. The universal joint should normally slide easily onto the shaft. If it does not, never tap or hammer the top of the steering column. The same applies when removing or fitting the steering wheel. Never try to tap or hammer the steering wheel on or off.

When the car is raised off the floor, never forcibly swivel the front wheels to full lock as this could easily result in serious damage to the steering system. With rack-and-pinion steering, swivelling a road wheel will cause the steering wheel to spin and build up considerable inertial force. This exerts a powerful torsional stress on the steering column when its rotation is arrested by the stop in the steering gear.


To remove


1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position.

2. Remove the steering wheel, refer to Steering wheel .

3. Remove the lower section of the dashboard on the driver's side.


4. Release the steering wheel adjustment lever.

5. Remove the steering column cowls.


6. Remove the steering wheel stalk switches and unplug their connectors.

7. Remove the connectors for the contact roller from the duct.

8. Unplug the connectors of the coil spring unit.

9. Disconnect the top and bottom of the duct.


10. Remove the holder for the contact roller and the steering wheel stalk switches.


11. Remove the knee protector from the steering column.


12. Remove the bolt securing the steering column shaft to the steering gear, and push the steering column shaft upwards, withdrawing it from the steering gear.

Warning

Under no circumstances is the steering shaft to be separated.


13. Undo the lower bolt of the steering column assembly. It cannot however be removed in this position.

14. Remove any cable ties and the like securing the wiring harness, and bend the harness aside.

15. Work the dust excluder (gaiter) over the steering wheel adjustment lever so that the lever comes out through the same hole as the steering column shaft.

16. Remove the upper bolts of the steering column assembly and lift out the assembly.


To fit


1. Fit the lower retaining bolt in the steering column assembly and position the assembly with the wiring harness below and to the right of the steering column shaft. Screw the bolt in a few turns but do not tighten it.


2. Tighten the upper retaining bolts of the steering column assembly.

Tightening torque 25 Nm (20 lbf ft)

3. Tighten the lower retaining bolts of the steering column assembly.

Tightening torque 25 Nm (20 lbf ft)

Important

The groove for the bolt in the pinion shaft.


4. Align the steering column shaft with the steering gear and tighten the bolt securing them to each other. Make sure that the steering gear bolt enters the milled groove on the pinion shaft.

Tightening torque 30 Nm (25 lbf ft)

5. Fit the knee protector to the steering column.

6. Fit the holder for the coil spring unit and steering wheel stalk switches with the groove upwards.


7. Fit the cable duct.


8. Plug in the connectors for the contact roller.

Fit the connectors to the cable duct.

9. Fit the wiring harness in place and fasten it to the steering column assembly.

10. Lift the dust excluder (gaiter) over the steering wheel adjustment lever, so that the lever protrudes from its hole in the excluder.

11. Plug in the steering wheel stalk switches and fit them in place.


12. Fit the steering column cowls.

13. Fit the steering wheel, refer to To fit .

14. Fit the lower section of the dashboard.