Removing the steering wheel and steering column

Attention.

• Failure to follow safety instructions when handling airbag modules can result in serious injury. Before working on airbag modules, read the relevant safety regulations (see chapter "Passive safety").
• Immediately after a long rotation of the steering gear, the temperature of the steering column (electric booster drive) increases significantly, as a result of which you can get burns when touched. Before performing any service, make sure that the steering column is cool.
• If the configuration of the electric power steering control unit is not done, the electric power steering will not function correctly. If the components of the steering column or the electric power steering control unit have been replaced, it is imperative to perform an automatic configuration for the proper functioning of the electric power steering.
• If the steering column is dropped, the power steering control unit may be damaged internally, which may result in loss of steering function and subsequently cause an accident. Be sure to replace a new steering column that has been hit or dropped.

Note:

• When the ignition is turned on or the engine is started after replacing the electric power steering control unit, the instrument cluster is read via the CAN bus to perform automatic configuration.
• The electric power steering control unit to be replaced contains vehicle-specific information, while the new control unit does not.

Note: replace the part with a new one after each removal.

1. Remove the front door sill trim on the driver's side.

2. Remove the front side trim on the driver's side.

3. Versions with navigation system: remove the car navigation unit.

4. Remove the switch panel.

5. Remove the decorative panel.

6. Remove the knob of the gear lever (versions with manual transmission) or selector lever (versions with automatic transmission).

7. Remove the front console compartment.

8. Remove shift lever panel.

9. Remove the top panel.

10. Remove the rear console.

11. Remove the side wall.

12. Remove the front console.

13. Disconnect the hood release lever from the bottom panel.

14. Remove the bottom panel.

15. Remove the front deflector from the driver's side.

16. Disconnect the wiring clamps shown in the figure.



17. Remove the airbag module (see chapter "Passive safety").


18. To turn away a bolt of fastening of a steering wheel.

Attention. Do not attempt to remove the steering wheel by hitting the steering shaft with a hammer. The steering column may be damaged.

19. Set the front wheels of the vehicle to the straight ahead position.

20. Remove the steering wheel using a suitable puller.

21. Remove the steering column cover.

22. Remove contact disc (see chapter "Passive safety").

23. Remove the steering column switches for lighting, wipers and washers.

24. If equipped, remove the startstop block.

25. Remove the hinge cover.

26. Remove the steering joint bolt.

Attention.

• Lock the adjustment lever to prevent damage to the steering column. Also, do not unlock the adjusting lever until the steering column is fully installed.
• When removing the steering column, follow the entire sequence of actions described to prevent damage to the intermediate shaft.

27. Lock the adjusting lever.

28. To turn away a bolt and to disconnect an intermediate shaft from a shaft gear wheel of a steering reducer.

29. Loosen nut A.



30. Loosen nuts B.



31. Remove the steering column assembly by tilting it towards the loosened nuts B, and move it outward.




32. Disconnect the torque sensor connector (from the control unit of the electric booster).



33. Remove the power steering control unit.

Note: replace the part with a new one after each removal.

34. Remove the elastic element and spacer from the steering column.

35. Unscrew the fastening nut and remove the wiring harness bracket.

36. Versions with manual transmission: unscrew the fastening nut and remove the bracket from the steering column.

37. Remove the upper universal joint bolt and remove the intermediate shaft from the steering column.