Steering Column - Chrysler 1998 Viper RT/10 Owner's Manual

S T E E R I N G C O L U M N
INDEX
p a g e
D E S C R I P T I O N A N D O P E R A T I O N
I N T E R M E D I A T E S T E E R I N G S H A F T 34
S T E E R I N G C O L U M N 3 4
D I A G N O S I S A N D T E S T I N G
I G N I T I O N S W I T C H
35
S T E E R I N G C O L U M N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
S T E E R I N G I N T E R M E D I A T E S H A F T . . . . . . . . . .
34
S E R V I C E P R O C E D U R E S
S T E E R I N G C O L U M N S E R V I C E W A R N I N G S 3 6
D E S C R I P T I O N A N D O P E R A T I O N
STEERING COLUMN
The steering column (Fig. 1) used i n the Viper G T S
is manufactured b y Chrysler Corporation. A l l vehi-
cles use a multi-position, t i l t type steering column.
The steering column assembly (Fig. 1) has been
designed to be serviced only as a complete assembly,
i f a component of the steering column is diagnosed as
being defective. The replaceable components of the
steering column assembly, are the key cylinder, i g n i -
t i o n switch, multi-function switch, clock spring, halo
lamp, t r i m shrouds, air bag and steering wheel. The
replaceable components of the steering column, can
be serviced w i t h o u t r e q u i r i n g removal of the steering
column from the vehicle. For additional information
on the electrical components of the steering column,
refer to Group 8 H Electrical.
The steering column used is an energy-absorbing
design. This type of a steering column design allows
the steering column to collapse i n the event the vehi-
cle is involved i n a front-end collision.
The steering column used on the Viper GTS has an
anti-theft provision. W i t h the key/lock cylinder
t u r n e d to the L O C K position, and the key removed,
the ignition switch can not be operated and the steer-
i n g shaft cannot be turned.
The ignition key/lock cylinder and the ignition
switch are part of the steering column. The key/lock
cylinder is located i n the ignition switch, w h i c h is
mounted to the lock housing of the steering column-
(Fig. 1).
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT
This vehicle uses a sliding type collapsible interme-
diate steering shaft (Fig. 2). The intermediate steer-
p a g e
R E M O V A L A N D I N S T A L L A T I O N
S T E E R I N G C O L U M N 41
S T E E R I N G W H E E L 3 6
S T E E R I N G W H E E L C O V E R ( R E A R )
39
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
S T E E R I N G C O L U M N F A S T E N E R T O R Q U E
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
48
i n g shaft connects the shaft of the steering column to
the shaft of the steering gear.
The intermediate shaft is attached to the steering
gear and steering column shaft by a universal j o i n t
at each end of the intermediate shaft (Fig. 2).
The universal joints allow for the misalignment of
the steering column shaft and the steering gear
shaft.
D I A G N O S I S A N D T E S T I N G
STEERING COLUMN
For diagnosis of conditions relating to the steering
column, refer to the steering system diagnosis charts,
i n the diagnosis and testing section at the beginning
of this group.
STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
The steering intermediate shaft M U S T be
inspected whenever a vehicle is involved i n an
impact or whenever any of the following conditions
exist.
(1) The steering intermediate shaft must be
inspected whenever a vehicle is involved i n a colli-
sion which results i n the deployment of the airbag,
regardless of the extent of damage to the vehicle.
(2) I f a vehicle is involved i n an impact of the vehi-
cles front suspension, steering gear or frame, which
results i n damage or bending of the front suspension
components or the frame of the vehicle.
(3) Under any conditions which result i n the steer-
i n g gear, steering column or steering column shaft
receiving a force great enough to move the steering
column or steering column shaft forward of rearward
i n the vehicle.