Steering Column
NOTE:
On models equipped with floorshift, service procedures are basically the same, except as follows: After support is removed from jacket it will be seen that there is no shift tube. The lower bearing is pressed into lower end of jacket. The lock inhibitor system can be lifted from top end of jacket.
- On Aspen, Volare, Diplomat and LeBaron, remove four bolts attaching bracket assembly to column jacket. On all models, remove wiring protector from column jacket. Attach suitable column holding fixture (C-4132) to jacket and mount in vise. Remove double coupling assembly from lower end of steering shaft. Remove tilt lever and turn signal or speed control lever.
- Push hazard warning knob in and unscrew to remove. Remove ignition key light assembly. Move tilt mechanism to full down tilt for shift indicator removal. Detach spring clip from rear of housing and remove shift indicator housing. Withdraw pointer from housing.
- Remove plastic cover, depress lock plate with finger and pry retaining ring out of groove with screwdriver. Remove lock plate, cancelling cam and upper bearing spring. Remove 3 turn signal switch screws and place shift bowl in "LOW" position. Wrap tape around connector and wires and remove switch and wiring.
- If removing lock cylinder, place in "LOCK" position. Insert a thin tool into slot next to switch mounting screw boss (right hand slot) and depress spring latch at bottom of slot to remove lock. To remove buzzer switch, bend a stiff piece of wire into a hook and insert tool into exposed loop of wedge spring. A straight pull on wire will remove both spring and switch.CAUTION: If lock cylinder is not removed before switch, it must be in "ON" position. Also, if spring is dropped on removal it could fall into column, requiring complete disassembly to remove spring.
- Remove housing cover. Reinstall tilt release lever and plate column in full "UP" position. Remove tilt spring retainer using a large Phillips screwdriver. Insert screwdriver in opening, press in about 3/16" and turn about 1/8 turn counterclockwise until ears align with grooves in housing and remove spring and guide. Push upper steering shaft in sufficiently to remove steering shaft inner race seat and inner race. With ignition switch in "ACCESSORY" position, remove ignition switch.
- Place suitable pivot pin remover (C-4016) over pivot pin and thread small portion of screw firmly into pin. Hold screw from turning with one wrench, turn nut clockwise with second wrench to remove pivot pin from support. Remove other pivot pin. Use tilt release lever to disengage lock shoes. Remove bearing housing assembly by pulling upward to extend rack full down and, moving housing assembly to the left, disengage rack from actuator. Remove activator assembly.
- Remove roll pin and coupling assembly from lower end of steering shaft. Remove shaft assembly from upper end of column. Disassemble steering shaft assembly by removing centering spheres and anti-lash spring.
- Remove bolts securing support to lock plate and remove support from end of column jacket. If necessary, remove attaching screws and shift gate from support. Remove shift tube retaining ring and thrust washer.
- Using a small screwdriver, carefully disengage plastic shift tube support from lower end of jacket. Remove shift tube from bowl using suitable tool (C-4120). Insert bushing on end of tool in shift tube and force tube out of bowl.CAUTION: Do not hammer or pull on lower or upper shift tube as plastic joint may be sheared.
- Remove shift tube from jacket at lower end. Remove lock plate by sliding out of jacket notches and tipping down toward hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening. Remove wave washer, remove bowl from jacket. Remove shift lever spring from bowl by winding spring up with pliers and pulling out.