QuestionMr. Gan - You have great answers, but I didn't see this one yet. Hoping you can explain the steps to remove the top cover plate on the steering column of my 2003 buick lesabre. My wipers have a problem, remaining in the slow intermittent phase and will not shut off. To get to it, it appears the top cover needs to come off. Do I have to remove the steering wheel, and if yes, how is this done with the air bag assembly?
Answer
lock removal
Hi bob:
Thank you...I try.
There are 2 ways to get the cover off. The first way is to force it off after you have removed both 8mm inverted torx bolts holding the cover in place.
The second and best way is to remove the airbag and steering wheel to release that ridge that goes under the wheel. Once they are removed the top cover is unencumbered. As always, disconnect the battery and wait 10 minutes before beginning any work involving an airbag.
After that, here is a page that will help you with the airbag removal itself....yours is the spring clip model & Buicks are TOUGH.
http://www.airbagsolutions.com/docs/1d.pdf
After that you will need a puller for the steering wheel removal. the the top cover is held on by 2- #6 inverted torx screws facing downward on either side of the column. I do not have any pictures of these yet. You will need a flashlight to see the one on the right side. It's high up and hidden near the lock cylinder (steering wheel side). The left one is attached and very visible on the left lower side of the column. Once those are off, the only thing left is the removal of the lock cylinder.
The top cover on many GM vehicle is a bear to get off, unless you know what you are looking for. The most critical thing is not to break the red 4-way flasher button on the top of the column...however in your case, since you are already changing that switch it doesn't matter.
Once the wheel is off and the bolts are out, the only thing left is the lock cylinder. You can force the cover over the lock cylinder and gently break off the ridge behind it, or you can release the lock cylinder, remove it and the the cover falls off. To release the lock cylinder is where the 'bear' part comes in.
I'll enclose a picture for you, but the release pin is a small 1/8 hole in the top of the housing about 3" in from the black bezel. You will not be able to access it easily because the cover is blocking it. You will need a long right angle probe to reach in and depress the pin. However, you must rotate the lock to the 'start' position in order for the pin to be in position to be released. The lock will be very hard to turn as the cover will be rubbing it and you won't have much room to both see and do what you need to do under the cover. You will also need to disconnect the battery so you do not repeatedly engage the starter while trying to hit this pin. Once the pin is pressed properly, the lock will come out about 1/2 inch. Then release the lock to the 'run' position and slide it straight out.
