The steering column is one of the most important elements in ensuring road safety, so replace the steering shafts installed in the steering column or the steering column assembly if the following defects are present:
- backlash in the cardan joint of the intermediate shaft or damage to its terminal connection with the steering column shaft;
- deformation or damage to the intermediate shaft, play in the cardan joints, damage to the terminal connection of the lower joint with the steering gear shaft;
- deformation or damage to the shaft and parts of the steering column, damage to the splines connecting the shaft to the steering wheel hub;
- damage to the steering column adjustment mechanism.
1. Disconnect the wire from the terminal «minus» battery.
2. Remove the steering wheel (see «Removal and installation of a steering wheel»), having previously set it to a position corresponding to rectilinear movement.
3. Remove the lower decorative shield of the instrument panel (see «Removal and installation of the lower decorative guard of the instrument panel»).
4. Remove the steering column cover (see «Removal and installation of a casing of a steering column»).
5. Remove the driver's airbag slip ring and horn (see «Removal and installation of the contact ring of the driver's airbag»).
6. Remove the steering column switch assembly (see «Replacing paddle shifters»).
7. Disconnect the wiring harness block from the immobilizer unit.
8. Press the latch of the lock of the block of wires of the contact group of the switch (castle) ignition...
9.... pull out the lock bracket...
10.... and disconnect the block.
11. Squeeze the antennae of the harness holder...
12.... and, having removed the holder from the hole in the steering column bracket, take the harness to the side.
13. Tag (for example, a marker) the relative position of the intermediate shaft of the steering column and the gear shaft of the steering mechanism.
14. Turn out the coupling bolt of the terminal connection of the intermediate shaft with the steering gear shaft...
15.... and remove the bolt from the hinge fork.
16. Turn out two bolts of fastening of the lower arm of a steering column to the amplifier of the panel of devices.
17. Turn away two nuts of fastening of the top arm of a steering column to the amplifier of the panel of devices.
18. Remove the lower joint of the intermediate shaft from the steering gear shaft...
19.... and remove the steering column.
NOTE: The steering column shaft crosspieces are non-separable and cannot be repaired, therefore, if they are worn, replace the shaft assembly.
You can only replace the lower hinge separately, for which loosen the coupling bolt...
... and remove the hinge from the splines of the intermediate shaft.
20. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal. Apply an anaerobic threadlocker to the threaded parts of the steering column bolts and nuts before installation.
WARNING: When installing the steering column, be sure to replace the steering wheel mounting bolt and the intermediate shaft terminal connection bolt and nut with new ones.