Good day all -
Adjusting my steering wheel last week and the steering wheel tilt lever stopped working. Fortunately the wheel is in the upper position so it is drive able but I'd like to lower it back down some. Is there anything in that enclosure that is going to spring loose if I take the enclosure off? Anything I should be aware of that maybe I should just let it be? Any parts/pieces of the lever that may have broken off and would get in the way of normal operations?
Also, how the heck do I know if my airbags still work? I don't want to find out by accident or if in an accident I really don't want to find out they din't work!!
We're talking a 2000 Dakota Sport Ext Cab 4cyl 5 speed.
Thanks!

 

There are two? three? torx bolts holding the column covers on. I forget. One is easy to see from the bottom, the other is hidden behind the tilt lever. The top cover will come off. Remove the screw from the tilt lever, pull it off, and bottom clamshell should come off (If not, there might be a screw holding it on in the interior of the column, i forget). I haven't looked at the tilt linkage.

 

 

No, nothing is spring loaded really until you get into the mechanisms. With the housing covers off, everything is accessible.

No need to worry on air bags really. Just don't cut or short any bright solid yellow wires.

(If you're extra paranoid, unhook battery, wait 1 minute, turn key to start and hold for 10 seconds. That will drain most of the electrical system)