All Models With Tilt Wheel: Disassembly

Remove steering column from vehicle as previously outlined. Remove mount bracket from column. Attach a suitable holding fixture (J-23074) to mount bolt holes. Secure column in a vise by clamping on holding fixture.
Remove steering wheel. Using two screwdrivers, pry anti-theft cover off lock plate. Compress lock plate using a suitable compressor tool (J-23653) (see Figure). Remove snap ring from groove in steering shaft.
Remove compressor tool. Remove snap ring and discard. Remove lock plate, directional signal cancelling cam, upper bearing preload spring, and thrust washer from steering shaft. Remove gearshift lever retaining pin and remove gearshift lever.
On vehicles without Cruise Command, remove directional signal switch lever. On vehicles with Cruise Command, remove wires from Cruise Command switch terminal. Fold two of four wires back and tape along harness. Tape a length of string to harness to aid removal.
Remove hazard warning switch knob by pressing in and unscrewing. Disconnect directional signal switch connector at bracket on lower steering column. Remove wiring harness plastic connector from column jacket.
Wrap tape around directional signal switch connector to prevent snagging when removing. Remove directional signal switch retaining screws. Pull switch and harness straight up out of column.
On vehicles with Cruise Command, remove directional switch lever. Remove Cruise Command switch (in directional signal switch lever) and harness using string taped to harness.
Insert ignition key in lock cylinder. Turn key to "LOCK" position. Compress cylinder retaining tab and remove lock cylinder. The retaining tab is reached through slot next to directional signal switch boss in housing.
NOTE: If retaining tab is not visible through slot, remove any casting flash that may be in slot.
Remove shift quadrant by prying two spring clips out of column. Remove mounting bracket and light socket. Remove tilt release handle. Remove cover retaining screws and remove cover.
Remove lock sector tension spring screw. Unhook sector spring from sector shaft. Remove snap ring from sector shaft. Remove sector, shaft and lockpin. Install tilt release handle. Place column in full upward tilt position.
Insert a screwdriver in tilt release spring retainer slot and compress retainer approximately 3/16". Rotate retainer 1/8 turn and remove retainer and spring.
CAUTION: Tilt spring is under strong tension.
Place housing in center position. Using suitable puller (J-21854-1) remove tilt pivot pins (see Fig 1). Lift tilt release lever to disengage lock shoes and remove housing. Remove both ball bearing assemblies from housing (if necessary).

Fig 1: Removing Tilt Pivot Pins
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
Remove tilt release lever. Using a punch, drive out release lever pin. Compress lock shoe spring to release spring tension on pin (see Fig 2).

Fig 2: Removing Release Lever Pin
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
Using a punch, drive out lock shoe pin (see Fig 3) Compress lock shoe spring to release spring tension on pin. Disconnect steering shaft. Remove shaft through upper end of column.

Fig 3: Removing Lock Shoe Pin
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
Fold shaft at 90° and separate upper and lower halves at flex joint. Remove ignition switch. Remove neutral and backup lamp switch. Remove lock rack and remote rod.
Remove screws securing support to shift bowl. Remove shift gate pin and remove shift gate from support. Remove shift tube retaining ring and thrust washer. Using a suitable puller (J-23072), pull shift tube from column.
Rotate shift bowl clockwise while sliding retainer plate out of jacket notches. Tip plate down toward shift bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and remove plate, bottom side first.
Remove wave washer and shift tube spring. Remove shift bowl from column jacket. Remove lower bearing retainer spring clip. Remove retainer, lower bearing and bearing adapter.