Steering column - removal, overhaul and refitting

Steering / Steering column - removal, overhaul and refitting

1 Remove the steering wheel as previously described.

2 Extract the screws from the underside of the steering column upper shroud and then lift off the upper and lower shroud sections (photo). Where applicable, detach and remove the trim panel from the underside of the facia on the driver’s side.

5.2 Removing steering column shrouds

3 Disconnect the battery negative lead.

4 Disconnect the wiring plug for the steering column combination switch.

5 Unscrew the clamp nuts and pull the combination switch off the end of the steering shaft.

6 Unscrew the column upper mounting bracket bolts and lower the shaft/column tube to rest on the seat (photo).

5.6 Steering column upper mounting

7 Remove the pinch-bolt from the lower universal joint coupling and remove the shaft/column tube from the car.

Overhaul
8 Remove the pinch-bolt from the upper universal joint and disconnect the lower shaft.

9 Grip the tube mounting flange in the jaws of a vice and relieve the staking at the base of the tube.

10 Using a plastic or copper-faced hammer, tap the shaft down out of the tube.

11 The lower bush will be ejected while the upper one should be prised out of the tube.

12 Reassemble the upper shaft into the tube by tapping new bushes into position.

13 Stake the lower end of the tube to retain the bush.

14 Reassembly is a reversal of removal, noting that the universal joint coupling pinch-bolts should pass smoothly through the grooves in the steering shaft.

15 Fit the steering wheel when the roadwheels are in the straight-ahead position.

16 Tighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque. Reconnect the battery.

Fig. 10.2 Removing steering column shroud screws (Sec 5)

Fig. 10.3 Unscrewing combination switch clamp nuts (Sec 5)

Fig. 10.4 Renewing steering shaft bushes (Sec 5)