Steering column removal......
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,828
Likes: 4,637
Steering column removal......
I've been told that the steering column has to be pulled in order to replace MFS in my 2000 C5. I thought the MFS was in the dash as part of the 4 way flasher. Dealer wants $800.00 to R&R the steering column and replace MFS!!! Sounds like an armed robbery in progress!! Anyone shed some light on this? Thank you.......
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
The multi-function switch is inside the column as it's part of the actual multi-function switches - for lack of a better explanation.
The GM service procedure details column disassembly which is why the dealer will go this route. You can do it without disassembling the entire column but some of the torx bolts can be tricky to get to and you have to be VERY careful not to strip them out. If you do an advanced search here in the C5 section you should come across some walk throughs about removing the MFS without complete column disassembly.
The GM service procedure details column disassembly which is why the dealer will go this route. You can do it without disassembling the entire column but some of the torx bolts can be tricky to get to and you have to be VERY careful not to strip them out. If you do an advanced search here in the C5 section you should come across some walk throughs about removing the MFS without complete column disassembly.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Pulling the column is actually very easy in these cars. I've had mine out several times.
From memory...
0. Disconnect the battery since you're going to be messing with a lot of electrical connectors
1. Turn the wheel 90° to the right, and tape it in place so that it can't rotate
2. Take the 1 bolt out that secures the steering shaft to the jointed coupler under the hood
3. Remove the lower dash panel and closeout panel
4. Remove the big, curved piece of steel with the styrofoam glued to it that's under the column (prob. don't have to remove this, but I like having it out of the way)
5. Unplug all the electrical stuff
6. Column is secured with 2 bolts in the rear and 2 in the front, remove those and it's now free
6.5 Additionally if you have a telescoping column, there's a t20 screw that secures the motor to a bracket on the column. The service manual claims you can simply rotate the column to the right to get the clearance to pull it out with the motor still attached, but I've never had any luck with that. Just unscrew and unhook the motor and pull it out separately.
From memory...
0. Disconnect the battery since you're going to be messing with a lot of electrical connectors
1. Turn the wheel 90° to the right, and tape it in place so that it can't rotate
2. Take the 1 bolt out that secures the steering shaft to the jointed coupler under the hood
3. Remove the lower dash panel and closeout panel
4. Remove the big, curved piece of steel with the styrofoam glued to it that's under the column (prob. don't have to remove this, but I like having it out of the way)
5. Unplug all the electrical stuff
6. Column is secured with 2 bolts in the rear and 2 in the front, remove those and it's now free
6.5 Additionally if you have a telescoping column, there's a t20 screw that secures the motor to a bracket on the column. The service manual claims you can simply rotate the column to the right to get the clearance to pull it out with the motor still attached, but I've never had any luck with that. Just unscrew and unhook the motor and pull it out separately.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
Pulling the column is actually very easy in these cars. I've had mine out several times.
From memory...
0. Disconnect the battery since you're going to be messing with a lot of electrical connectors
1. Turn the wheel 90° to the right, and tape it in place so that it can't rotate
2. Take the 1 bolt out that secures the steering shaft to the jointed coupler under the hood
3. Remove the lower dash panel and closeout panel
4. Remove the big, curved piece of steel with the styrofoam glued to it that's under the column (prob. don't have to remove this, but I like having it out of the way)
5. Unplug all the electrical stuff
6. Column is secured with 2 bolts in the rear and 2 in the front, remove those and it's now free
6.5 Additionally if you have a telescoping column, there's a t20 screw that secures the motor to a bracket on the column. The service manual claims you can simply rotate the column to the right to get the clearance to pull it out with the motor still attached, but I've never had any luck with that. Just unscrew and unhook the motor and pull it out separately.
From memory...
0. Disconnect the battery since you're going to be messing with a lot of electrical connectors
1. Turn the wheel 90° to the right, and tape it in place so that it can't rotate
2. Take the 1 bolt out that secures the steering shaft to the jointed coupler under the hood
3. Remove the lower dash panel and closeout panel
4. Remove the big, curved piece of steel with the styrofoam glued to it that's under the column (prob. don't have to remove this, but I like having it out of the way)
5. Unplug all the electrical stuff
6. Column is secured with 2 bolts in the rear and 2 in the front, remove those and it's now free
6.5 Additionally if you have a telescoping column, there's a t20 screw that secures the motor to a bracket on the column. The service manual claims you can simply rotate the column to the right to get the clearance to pull it out with the motor still attached, but I've never had any luck with that. Just unscrew and unhook the motor and pull it out separately.
Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I'm not a big guy and pretty limber so that definitely helps. I do pull the seat out though. That makes it a lot easier.
