Removal and installation the steering column (Opel Astra J)

The steering column is one of the most important elements of road safety, so replace the steering shafts installed in the steering column or the column assembly if the following defects are present:

deformation or damage of the intermediate shaft, play in the cardan joints, damage to the terminal connection of the lower joint with the steering gear shaft;

deformation or damage of the intermediate shaft, play in the cardan joints, damage to the terminal…

deformation or damage to the shaft and housing of the steering column, damage to the splines connecting the shaft to the steering wheel hub;
damage to the terminal connection of the upper joint with the intermediate shaft;

damage to the terminal connection of the upper joint with the intermediate shaft;

damage to the steering column adjustment mechanism.

Note: The steering column can be removed as an assembly with or without the ignition switch (depending on the purpose of removing the steering column).

This subsection describes how to remove the steering column without removing the ignition switch.

You will need: wrenches "11", "13", flat-blade screwdriver, pliers.

1. Disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of the battery.

2. Remove the steering wheel (see Removal and installation the steering wheel), having previously set it to a position corresponding to rectilinear movement.

3. Remove the steering column cover (see Removal and installation the steering column cover).

4. Remove the steering column switches and their connector (see Replacing steering column switches).

5. Remove the left lower instrument panel trim.