Steering Column Components
1 - Clamp; 2 - Assembly of steering column switches; 3 - Receiver socket; 4 - Steering column switch lever; 5 - Upper casing; 6 - Bolt; 7 - Lower casing; 8 - Steering wheel; 9 - Nut (35 Nm); 10 - Horn button; 11 - Ignition/steering wheel lock; 12 - Retaining ring; 13 - Spacer sleeve; 14 - Upper steering shaft bearing; 15 - Steering shaft; 16 - Covering ring; 17 - Clamp; 18 - Bolt (25 Nm); 19 - Washer; 20 - Bushing; 21 - Rubber bushing; 22 - Bolt (25 Nm); 23 - Plastic compensation washer; 24 - Lower steering shaft bearing; 25 - Distance washer; 26 - Bolt (35 Nm); 27 - Cardan intermediate shaft; 28 - Spring; 29 - Spacer sleeve; 30 - Bushing; 31 - Shear head screw; 32 - Steering column shaft tubular casing
Note: On models equipped with a steering wheel ring, a puller will be required to remove the ring from the column.
Steering column - general information
The steering column shaft is made of steel. In order to meet safety requirements, the column shaft is divided into two sections: the upper (the steering column shaft itself) and the lower one (cardan intermediate shaft).
Forks with cardan joints installed in them are attached to both ends of the intermediate shaft. The joint cages are split and have a splined connection inside.
The upper cardan joint sleeve is secured to the lower splined joint of the steering column shaft. The intermediate shaft sleeve is secured to the splined joint of the steering gear drive shaft. Each sleeve is tightened with an M8x30 bolt.
The steering column shaft passes through a hole in the bulkhead. Sealing is achieved by means of a rubber bushing.
The upper shaft of the column ends in a cardan joint at the bottom, and the upper one - with splines and thread M14x1.5. The steering wheel is placed on the upper journal of the shaft, which is then secured with a nut. In addition to the wheel, the upper part of the shaft also has an assembly of steering column switches.
A bracket with longitudinal cutouts is welded to the lower part of the tubular casing, through which two M8x22 bolts pass, with the help of which the pipe is attached to the shield in the front part of the body. Approximately in the middle, the pipe is clamped with a clamp, which is attached to the bulkhead of the engine compartment with two M8x35 bolts.
Inside the tubular casing of the steering column shaft, two PLC 03-33 bearings are installed, in which the steering column shaft rotates. The bearings are filled with grease at the factory and sealed, and therefore do not require additional maintenance.
A bracket is installed on the tubular casing, in which the ignition/steering wheel lock is seated. The lock bolt enters a groove cut in the casing pipe. The bracket collar is clamped on the pipe using special bolts with shear heads (in order to prevent unauthorized disabling of the lock).
The steering wheel is attached to the shaft using an M14x1.5 nut.
Major repairs
1. Remove the steering column (see section Removal and installation the steering column). Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to position 0.
2. Using paint or a marker, mark the position of the column shaft relative to the upper cardan joint of the intermediate shaft.
3. Unscrew the clamping bolt and separate the intermediate shaft from the column.
4. Remembering the installation position of the components, remove the spring from the base of the column, then the spacer and ring bushings. Remove the column shaft upwards from the guide tube. Remove the lower support bushing.
5. If equipped, a puller will be required to remove the steering wheel adapter from the upper end of the column shaft.
6. Remove the retaining ring from the upper end of the column shaft, then remove the spacer ring and upper support sleeve.
7. Check the condition of the components, replace defective ones.
8. When assembling, install the ring and support bushings on the upper end of the shaft and immediately secure them with a retaining ring. Make sure the ring is seated correctly in its groove. If equipped, fit the steering wheel adapter onto the shaft.
9. Install the upper support sleeve into the guide tube, then carefully push the shaft assembly into it. Place the ring and spacer sleeves and spring onto the lower end of the shaft.
10. Align the marks made during dismantling, then connect the intermediate shaft to the assembly. Make sure the shaft is seated correctly in the column splines, then tighten the tie bolt to the required force.
11. Check that the speaker is functioning properly, then install it on the vehicle (see section Removal and installation the steering column).