Need help replacing steering column in 1988 dodge dekota

Manual Steering Column with JL4) or
Steering Wheel Position Sensor Replacement (Power Steering Column with JL4) ?
Preliminary Procedure Remove the intermediate steering shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .
1
Steering Angle Sensor Adapter
2
Steering Wheel Position Sensor
Procedure Disconnect any electrical connectors as needed.
Tip
If reusing, secure the old steering wheel position sensor before removing it for proper alignment upon reinstallation. Refer to Steering Wheel Position Sensor Centering .

Callout

Component Name
Notice: Secure the steering wheel utilizing a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
?€¢
The steering column
?€¢
The intermediate shaft
?€¢
The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
Preliminary Procedure Remove the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Replacement .
1
Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt
Procedure Remove the steering column boot seal in order to access the intermediate steering shaft bolt.
2
Intermediate Steering Shaft Nut
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Tighten
47 N?·m (35 lb ft)
3
Intermediate Steering Shaft
Tip
?€¢
If necessary, scribe location marks between the intermediate steering shaft and the steering column and the intermediate steering shaft and the steering gear to mark their alignment before removing.
?€¢
If replacing the intermediate steering shaft, transfer any scribe marks from the old one to the new one.

Callout

Component Name
Notice: Secure the steering wheel utilizing a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:
?€¢
The steering column
?€¢
The intermediate shaft
?€¢
The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.
Preliminary Procedures

1. Remove the left side instrument panel insulator panel. Refer to Instrument Panel Insulator Panel Replacement - Left Side .
2. Remove the driver knee bolster. Refer to Driver Knee Bolster Replacement .
3. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

1
Steering Column Nut (Qty: 4)
Notice: Refer to Title not found in the Preface section.
Tighten
25 N?·m (18 lb ft)
2
Steering Column
Procedure

Disconnect any electrical connectors as needed.

If equipped with AN3, disconnect the automatic transmission range selector cable. Refer to Automatic Transmission Range Selector Cable Replacement - Column .

Transfer any parts as needed.

Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Remove the horn pad on the steering wheel-Phillips head screws from the back side of wheel. Then loosen the nut on the steering wheel center. Mark the steering wheel to column shaft position, so the wheel goes back in exact same position on the shaft. You may need a steering wheel puller to get the wheel off the shaft, not always, but sometimes the wheel is on pretty tight. Do not hammer on the wheel to get it off, use a puller if needed. These pullers are at parts stores and not expensive.

In order to get into the steering column of a 1988 Chevrolet C1500 you must pull up on the switch to get it over the end of the steering shaft.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code Reader Scanner tool

Is the steering wheel its self coming up or the shaft were it connects in the floor coming up. This would help me solve your problem . If its the wheel there is a 18mm nut behind the air bag that holds the steering to shaft.
2ND If it is in the floor shaft there should be a bolt holding the two shafts together, you might have to pull carpet back to see if bolt is in the slot that holds the two shafts together.
If i can be any help just repost. Thanks, dodge tec

Yes - the steering wheel can be removed, just be prepared for the wire to be smashed or mangles and unusable. Look on the back side of the steering wheel - you will see some small holes for the retaining screws for the center piece of the steering wheel. If your model has an airbag in the wheel you will need to disconnect the battery to prevent activating the airbag.Remove the panel below the steering wheel to access the harness for the airbag and unplug. Now remove those retaining screws and the center piece of the wheel. Now you will see a large nut on the center shaft of the column.Before you remove the center nut, look at how many threads are exposed above the nut before removing. Lock the steering wheel and remove that nut. Now you will need a steering wheel puller. Find the fasteners that fit your wheel and mount the puller, Turn the puller shaft 3 turns and try to remove wire - if it won't come out then you'll need to completely remove the wheel to extract the wire. Place the wheel back on the column shaft and use that center nut to re - install the steering wheel. You may need to place that nut socket over the shaft around the threaded part and tap lightly to seat the wheel far enough to use the nut to seat the wheel back down. Press steering wheel until it sits where it did in the beginning. Re - install center piece, plug in airbag and replace that lower panel. Your local auto parts store may have a steering wheel puller for rent - if not, they are not expensive to buy ( should be less than $10.00 USD).
Hope this helps!!

To remove the column from the vehicle you should not have to dissassemble the column if you mean the plastic that the shaft goes thru. If you mean the plastic cover that is behind the column under the dash there should be 4 screws to remove then a metal plate to remove, then remove the transmission position indicator from the column( which ios a small black cable that tells you if you are in park drive ect... , Then the four nuts holding the column to the dash. Unplug all the wiring plugs. then loosen the set screw that holds the shaft to the universal joint and it should come out as an entire assembly. Does that help ? Why do you have to remove it ? What are you trying to repair ? I can help.

this is for 1996, don't have 89.
these may be steps you need

1. Remove pinch bolt from steering shaft flex coupling.
   

1. Disconnect shift cable from selector lever pivot.
   

1. Remove shift cable from steering column lower mounting bracket by pushing tab on cable in and sliding cable off bracket.
   

1. Disconnect ignition switch (11572) by loosening bolt and removing connector. The bolt is part of connector and can not be removed.
   

1. While supporting steering column, remove four retaining nuts.
   

1. Disconnect collapsible intermediate shaft from U-joint at lower end of steering column.
   

1. Remove steering column from vehicle.
   

Likely, you could leave it right there and work around it but if you want it out, there should be a coupler on the shaft to remove the top half. Don't know which coupler style you have but most have either a through bolt retainer or a roll pin that is driven out. If the coupler is under the dash, column will then come out, if on firewall side you may need to remove the cover bolts on the firewall.

The steering column is connect with a shaft that runs from rack and pinion to steering column. A short shaft sticks out of rack and pinion and is attached to shaft with 1 bolt that goes thru the coupler. Usally hid under a boot that goes around the shaft.

first thing is to loosen the column mount at the fire wall inside where the column goes through the fire wall and also loosen the column support up next to the dash. so you can move the column up and down. at the rag joint remove the bolts that pass throught the leather dampner between the two pieces of metal one is clamped to the steering gear box shaft and the other is clamped to the steering column loosen the bolts that hold the pieces of the rag joint to the column and steering box. and remove each piece from the shafts. you may need a hammer depending on how rusty the are on the shafts. the steering gear box shaft is splined so when you install the new joint line up the splines so it will slip onto the shaft. a little WD40 sprayed on the shaft will help it slde on. then slide the column into the top part of the joint until it is seated. tighten the clamp nuts and torque to 40 ft Lbs each retighten the firewall clamp and the dash support and you are done.