STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-1

SECTION 3C

STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

CAUTION:
When fasteners are removed, always reinstall them at the same location from which they were
removed. If a fastener needs to be replaced, use the correct part number fastener for that ap-
plication. If the correct part number fastener is not available, a fastener of equal size and
strength (or stronger) may be used. Fasteners that are not reused, and those requiring thread-
locking compound, will be called out. The correct torque value must be used when installing
fasteners that require it. If the above procedures are not followed, parts or system damage
could result. 3C

CONTENTS

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 2
DIAGNOSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 3
Inspection and Repair Required After Accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 3
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 3
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 4
Combination Switch Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 5
Steering Column Assembly and Steering Lower Shaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C- 6
Steering Lock Assembly (Ignition Switch) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C-10
CHECKING STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND LOWER SHAFT FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE . . . . . . . . 3C-11
REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C-12
SPECIAL TOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3C-12
3C-2 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
These are two types of steering column for this vehicle. They are double tube type and single tube type.
These steering columns have the following important features in addition to the steering function:

The ignition switch and lock are mounted conveniently on this column.

With the column mounted lock, the ignition and steering operations can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle.
For double tube type steering column, note the following instruction.

The column is energy absorbing, designed to compress in a front-end collision. To insure the energy absorbing
action, it is important that only the specified screws, bolts, and nuts be used as designated and that they are
tightened to the specified torque.

When the column assembly is removed from the vehicle, special care must be taken in handling it. Use of a steer-
ing wheel puller other than the one recommended in this manual or a sharp blow on the end of the steering shaft,
leaning on the assembly, or dropping the assembly could shear the plastic shear pins which maintain column
length and position.

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1. Steering wheel pad 6. Steering column assembly (single tube type)
2. Steering wheel 6–1. Steering column assembly (double tube type)
3. Combination switch assembly 7. Steering lock assembly (ignition switch)
4. Steering column upper cover 8. Steering lower shaft
5. Steering column lower cover
 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-3

DIAGNOSIS
For maintenance service of the steering wheel and column, refer to SECTION 0B.
For diagnosis of the steering wheel and column, refer to SECTION 3.

INSPECTION AND REPAIR REQUIRED AFTER ACCIDENT

After an accident be sure to perform checks, inspections and repairs referring to CHECKING STEERING COL-
UMN ASSEMBLY AND LOWER SHAFT FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE in this section.

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

1.
2.
3.
Steering wheel pad
Steering wheel nut
Steering wheel
10. Steering column lower nut:
For proper installing location and tightening procedure, refer to
steering column assembly installation in this section.
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4. Combination switch assembly 11. Steering joint shaft upper bolt:
5. Steering column upper cover Note the tightening procedure, the detail referring steering column
6. Steering column lower cover assembly installation in this section.
7. Steering column assembly (single tube type) 12. Steering lower shaft
7–1. Steering column assembly (double tube type) 13. Steering joint shaft lower bolt:
8. Steering lock assembly (ignition switch) Note the tightening procedure, the detail referring steering column
9. Steering column upper nut: assembly installation in this section.
For proper installing location and tightening procedure, refer to
steering column assembly installation in this section.
3C-4 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

STEERING WHEEL
REMOVAL
1) Check that vehicle’s front tires are at straight-ahead position.
2) Disconnect negative cable at battery.
3) Remove steering wheel pad (1) from steering wheel (2).

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4) Remove horn switch assembly (1) from steering wheel (2).
5) Remove steering wheel nut (3).
6) Make alignment marks (4) on steering wheel and shaft.

7) Remove steering wheel (1) using special tool.

Special Tool
(A): 09944-36011

CAUTION:
Do not hammer the end of the shaft. Hammering it will
loosen the plastic shear pins which maintain the col-
umn length and impair the collapsible design of the
column.

INSTALLATION
1) Check that vehicle’s front tires are at straight-ahead position.
2) Apply grease to contact plate (1) of steering wheel.
“A”: Grease 99000-25290
 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-5

3) Install steering wheel (1) onto shaft (2), aligning them by match
marks (3).
4) Tighten steering wheel nut (4) to specified torque.
Tightening Torque
(a): 33 N·m (3.3 kg-m, 24.0 lb-ft)
5) Install steering wheel pad.

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COMBINATION SWITCH ASSEMBLY
REMOVAL
1) Remove steering wheel from steering column referring to
STEERING WHEEL in this section.

2) Remove steering column cover screws (1).

3) Separate upper cover (2) and lower cover (3), then remove
them.
4) Disconnect lead wire of combination switch assembly at cou-
pler.

* : Standard screw
** : Tapping screw

5) Remove combination switch (1) from steering column.

3C-6 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

INSTALLATION
1) Check to make sure that vehicle’s front tires are set at straight-
ahead position and then ignition switch is at “LOCK” position.
2) Install combination switch assembly (1) to steering column.
3) Connect lead wire of combination assembly at coupler.
4) Clamp lead wire of combination switch assembly using clamp.

5) Install steering column upper cover (1) and lower cover (2), and
then tighten steering column cover screws (3).

CAUTION:
When installing upper cover (1) and lower cover (2),
be careful so that combination switch lead wire is not
caught between covers.

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* : Standard screw 6) Install steering wheel to steering column referring to STEER-
** : Tapping screw ING WHEEL in this section.

STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND

STEERING LOWER SHAFT
CAUTION:
Once the double tube type steering column is removed
from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to
damage.

Dropping the column assembly on its end could col-
lapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic shear
pins which maintain column length.

Leaning on the column assembly could cause it to
bend or deform.
Any of the above damage could impair the column’s col-
lapsible design.

NOTE:
When servicing steering column or any column-mounted
component, remove steering wheel. But when removing
steering column simply to gain access to instrument panel
components, leave steering wheel installed on steering col-
umn.
 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-7

REMOVAL
1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight for-
ward state.
2) Disconnect negative cable at battery.
3) Remove steering column cover screws (1).
4) Separate upper column cover (2) and lower column cover (3),
then remove them.

* : Standard screw
** : Tapping screw

5) Remove steering wheel and combination switch assembly (1)

referring to STEERING WHEEL AND COMBINATION
SWITCH ASSEMBLY in this section, if it is necessary.
6) Disconnect the following connectors.

Ignition switch connector

Combination switch assembly connectors

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7) Remove steering joint cover (1).
8) Remove joint bolt (steering column side) (2) and joint bolt (pin-
ion shaft side) (3).
9) Make alignment mark (4) on joint of steering lower shaft to pin-
ion shaft for guide of reinstallation.

10) Remove steering column upper and lower nuts (1).

11) Remove steering column from vehicle.

CAUTION:
Don’t separate steering column assembly into steer-
ing column and shaft. If column or shaft is defective,
replace as an assembly.

12) Remove steering lower shaft.

INSPECTION
NOTE:
Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage,
where steering column has been impacted, may have a dam-
aged or misaligned steering column.
For checking procedure of steering column assembly, refer to
CHECKING STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND LOWER
SHAFT FOR ACCIDENT DAMAGE in this section.
3C-8 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

INSTALLATION

CAUTION:
After tightening steering column upper and lower nuts,
steering lower shaft bolts should be tightened. Wrong
tightening order above could cause a damage to steering
lower shaft.

1) Be sure that front wheels and steering wheel are in straight for-
ward state.

2) Insert lower shaft (1) into pinion shaft (2) with matching marks
(3).
3) Align flat part (4) of steering lower shaft (1) with bolt hole of joint
(5) of steering column as shown, and then insert steering col-
umn assembly into steering lower shaft.

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4) Install steering column and tighten steering column upper nuts
(1) and steering column lower nuts (2) temporarily by hand.
NOTE:
For proper installing location of steering column upper and
lower nuts, refer to figure.
5) Install combination switch assembly referring to COMBINA-
TION SWITCH ASSEMBLY in this section, if combination
switch assembly is removed.
6) Connect the following connectors.

Ignition switch connector

Combination switch assembly connectors
 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-9

7) Tighten steering column upper and lower nuts (1, 2 and 3) to

specified torque in the order (1) – (2) – (3) indicated in figure.
Tightening Torque
(a): 14 N·m (1.4 kg-m, 10.5 lb-ft)
8) Tighten joint bolt (pinion shaft side) (4) and joint bolt (steering
column side) (5) to specified torque in the order (4) – (5) indi-
cated in figure.
Tightening Torque
(b): 25 N·m (2.5 kg-m, 18.0 lb-ft)
9) Install steering joint cover (6).

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10) Install steering column upper cover (1) and lower cover (2),
and then tighten steering column cover screws (3).

CAUTION:
When installing upper cover (1) and lower cover (2),
be careful so that combination switch lead wire is
not caught between covers.

* : Standard screw
** : Tapping screw

11) Install steering wheel referring to STEERING WHEEL in this

section, if steering wheel is removed.
12) Connect negative cable at battery.
3C-10 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY (IGNITION

SWITCH)
REMOVAL
1) Remove steering column assembly (1) referring to REMOVAL
of STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND STEERING LOW-
ER SHAFT in this section.

2) Using center punch (1), loosen and remove steering lock

mounting bolts (2).
NOTE:
Use care not to damage aluminum part of steering lock
body with center punch.
3) Turn ignition key to “ACC” or “ON” position and remove steering
lock assembly from steering column.

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INSTALLATION
1) Position oblong hole (1) of steering shaft (2) in the center of hole
in column.
2) Turn ignition key to “ACC” or “ON” position and install steering
lock assembly (3) onto column.
3) Now turn ignition key to “LOCK” position and pull it out.
4) Align hub on lock with oblong hole (1) of steering shaft (2) and
rotate shaft to assure that steering shaft (2) is locked.

<Type 1> 5) Tighten new bolts (1) until head of each bolt is broken.
6) Turn ignition key to “ACC” or “ON” position and check to be sure
that steering shaft (2) rotates smoothly. Also check for lock op-
eration.
7) Install steering column assembly referring to STEERING COL-
UMN ASSEMBLY AND STEERING LOWER SHAFT INSTAL-
LATION in this section.

<Type 2>
 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN 3C-11

CHECKING STEERING COLUMN AS-

SEMBLY AND LOWER SHAFT FOR AC-
CIDENT DAMAGE
NOTE:
Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in body damage,
where steering column has been impacted may have a dam-
aged or misaligned steering column.

CHECKING PROCEDURE
1) Check that each capsule (1) is attached to steering column
bracket (2) securely, if equipped.
If capsules are loosen, replace steering column assembly.
2) Check two capsules for any damages such as crack or break-
age, if equipped.
If anything is found faulty, replace as steering column assembly.

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3) Take measurement “a” as shown.
If it is shorter than specified length, replace column assembly
(1) with new one.
Length “a”: 506.5 – 508.5 mm (19.9 – 20.0 in.)

4) Check steering shaft joints and shaft for any damages such as
crack, breakage, malfunction or excessive play.
If anything is found faulty, replace as lower shaft assembly or
column assembly.
5) Check steering shaft for smooth rotation.
If found defective, replace as column assembly.
6) Check steering shaft and column for bend, cracks or deforma-
tion.
If found defective, replace.
3C-12 STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN

REQUIRED SERVICE MATERIAL

MATERIAL RECOMMENDED SUZUKI PRODUCT USE
SUZUKI GREASE CE-T
Grease Contact plate.
(99000-25290)

SPECIAL TOOL

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09944-36011
Steering wheel remover