Steering column — disassembly and assembly

Disassembly

If the steering column is not removed from the vehicle, follow the steps outlined in the section above "Steering column lock" in the first four paragraphs.

Remove the safety plugs in the ignition switch housing, then turn the housing counterclockwise and remove it.

The bearing can be removed from the ignition switch housing by pushing the two retaining latches of the bearing apart and by squeezing or knocking out the bearing with a tube of the appropriate diameter along the outer ring of the bearing. When pressing in a new bearing, make sure that the thrust washer and contact springs are installed correctly (pic. 10.23.).



The ignition switch is attached to the lock body with two countersunk screws. Remove the screws to remove the switch. It is recommended not to remove the switch and the lock cylinder at the same time, otherwise their mutual arrangement will be violated.


If a steering column is installed, remove the top pinch bolt from the steering wheel shaft flexible coupling in the driver's footwell.

Remove the steering wheel shaft from the steering column tube.

Assembly

Install the plastic centering disc that comes with the new column and steering wheel shaft into the base of the column tube.

Insert the shaft into the column pipe, and if the column is in place, engage the lower end of the shaft with the elastic coupling and install the upper clamping bolt, but do not tighten it.

Where required, install the ignition switch and tighten the grub screws.

Install the ignition switch housing and install new safety plugs.

If the column is in place, pull up on the steering wheel shaft to bring the shaft into contact with the bearing stop, then tighten the top clamp bolt of the flexible coupling. Check that the road wheels are straight and that the flexible coupling is positioned so that the top clamp bolt is in a horizontal position on the top side of the steering wheel shaft.

Where required, further assembly is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Install the steering wheel as described above in the section "Steering wheel".

After completing the work, first maneuver the vehicle at low speed, then test drive along a route with several turns and check that the steering mechanism operates smoothly.