STEERING

Steering Wheel

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Navajo and 1994 B Series Pick-up

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Center the steering wheel to the straight ahead position.
3. From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the screws that hold the steering wheel pad to the steering wheel spokes.
4. Lift up the steering wheel pad and disconnect the horn wires from the steering wheel pad by pulling the spade terminal from the blade connectors.
5. Remove the steering wheel pad. Loosen the bolt 2 or 3 turns from the steering shaft.

   CAUTION
   Tilt columns have a compression spring under the steering wheel that can unexpectantly "pop up" the steering wheel if the bolt is removed completely.

6. Using the proper steering wheel removal tool, loosen the steering wheel on the steering column.

   WARNING
   Do not hammer on the steering wheel or the steering shaft or use a knock off type steering wheel puller as damage to the steering column will occur.

   Fig. 1: To remove the steering wheel, first remove the horn pad retaining screws from the backside of the wheel

   Fig. 2: Next, lift up and turn over the horn pad . . .

   Fig. 3: . . . then disconnect the horn pad electrical plug from the column

   Fig. 4: Loosen the steering wheel-to-shaft retaining bolt a couple of turns . . .

   Fig. 5: . . . then assemble a puller to the wheel and loosen the wheel from the shaft

   Fig. 6: Finally, remove the retaining bolt

   Fig. 7: Before pulling the wheel from the shaft, make a matchmark on the shaft and wheel

   Fig. 8: Finish by pulling the steering wheel from the column shaft

7. Remove the tool and the steering wheel retaining bolt then lift off the steering wheel.
8. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Be sure that the steering wheel is properly aligned before installing the lock bolt. Torque the steering wheel lock bolt to 23–33 ft. lbs. (31–45 Nm).

1995–98 B Series Pick-up Models

CAUTION
Whenever working on a vehicle equipped with an air bag, always refer to Section 6 for disarming procedures. Follow the procedures outlined or severe injury, or even death may occur.

NOTE: The manufacturer recommends installing the steering wheel using a new wheel-to-shaft retaining bolt. Before beginning this procedure, obtain a new bolt.

1. Follow the procedures in Section 6 and disarm the air bag.

   Fig. 9: After disarming the air bag, pry out the retaining screw covers on the sides of the steering wheel

   Fig. 10: Remove the two air bag module retaining screws

2. Pry out the two plugs covering the drivers side air bag module screws on the sides of the steering wheel.
3. Remove the two air bag module retaining screws and carefully lift the module away from the steering wheel.
4. Disconnect the air bag electrical harness plug at the sliding contact. Also unplug the horn and, if equipped, cruise control wire harness connectors.

   Fig. 11: Pull the module away from the steering wheel and disconnect all of the wire harness plugs

   CAUTION
   Always carry the air bag with the horn pad facing away from your body.

5. Remove the air bag module and set it on a clean, dry and stable bench with the horn pad facing upwards.

   CAUTION
   Tilt columns have a compression spring under the steering wheel that can unexpectantly "pop up" the steering wheel if the bolt is removed completely.

6. Loosen but do not remove the steering wheel retaining bolt approximately 2 to 3 turns.
7. Using the proper steering wheel removal tool, loosen the steering wheel on the steering column.

   WARNING
   Do not hammer on the steering wheel or the steering shaft or use a knock off type steering wheel puller as damage to the steering column will occur.

8. Remove the tool and the steering wheel retaining bolt. Discard the steering wheel retaining bolt.

   WARNING
   Ensure that the air bag sliding contact wire harness does not get caught on the steering wheel assembly when lifting the wheel from the shaft.

9. Remove the steering wheel while routing the wire harness through the wheel opening.

   To install:

10. Ensure that the vehicle's front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
11. Route the air bag sliding contact wire harnesses through the steering wheel opening (at the 3 o'clock position).
12. Align the steering wheel and shaft and press the wheel onto the shaft. Ensure that the sliding contact wire harness does not get pinched by the wheel.
13. Install the new lock bolt and tighten to 25–34 ft. lbs. (34–46 Nm).
14. Position the air bag module and connect all of the wire harness plugs to it.
15. Carefully install the module to the wheel and loosely install the side retaining bolts.
16. Hold the module in position while tightening the retaining bolts to 67–92 inch lbs. (7.6–10.4 Nm).
17. Install the two cover plugs by snapping them into the holes on the side of the steering wheel.
18. Arm the air bag system by following the procedures in Section 6.

MPV Models

CAUTION
The air bag system must be disarmed before removing the steering wheel. Failure to do so may cause accidental deployment, property damage or personal injury.

1. Set the steering wheel so the front wheels are straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Disarm the air bag.
4. At the back of the steering wheel hub, remove the fasteners that hold the air bag assembly and remove the air bag. Place it in a safe place, pad side up.

   CAUTION
   Always carry an air bag assembly with the bag and trim cover away from your body. Store the assembly facing upward; never place the assembly face down on any surface.

5. Remove the steering wheel attaching bolt or nut. Check to see if the steering wheel and steering shaft have alignment marks or flats. If there are no steering wheel-to-steering column shaft alignment marks or flats, matchmark the steering wheel and column shaft so they can be reassembled in the same position.
6. Using a steering wheel puller, remove the steering wheel from the steering column shaft.

   NOTE: Do not hammer on the steering wheel or steering shaft or use a knock-off type steering wheel puller, as either will damage the steering column.

   To install:

7. Double check that the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position and mount the steering wheel. Make sure the matchmarks are aligned.

   Fig. 12: Air bag module fastener tightening sequence — MPV

8. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 29–36 ft. lbs. (40–49 Nm). Install the air bag unit and tighten the retaining fasteners in a clockwise sequence to 35–52 inch lbs. (4–6 Nm) for 1994–95 MPV, and 70–104 inch lbs. (8–12 Nm) for 1996–98 MPV.
9. Arm the air bag system by following the procedures in Section 6.
10. Connect the negative battery and check the steering column for proper operation.