2001 Acura MDX

2001 STEERING Steering Columns

2001 STEERING

Steering Columns

DESCRIPTION
All models use a 2-piece safety steering column with a slip joint flange connection. The steering column is
supported by a column tube.

WARNING: All models are equipped with Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). All
SRS wiring is color coded Yellow. Before performing any repairs on
steering column, disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING
AIR BAG SYSTEM .

DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM

DISABLING SYSTEM

WARNING: Wait at least 5 minutes after deactivating air bag system. System
maintains voltage for about 5 minutes after battery is disconnected.
Servicing air bag system before 5 minutes may cause accidental air bag
deployment and possible personal injury.

CAUTION: Radio has a coded theft protection circuit. Before disconnecting battery
cables, obtain radio anti-theft code number from customer. After
reconnecting power, turn radio on. Word CODE will be displayed. Enter
customer 5-digit code to restore radio operation.

Driver-Side Air Bag (Except 3.5RL)

1. Turn ignition off. Disconnect both battery cables. Remove access panel from steering wheel. See Fig. 1 .
2. Disconnect air bag connector from cable reel connector. Driver's air bag is now disabled. Disable
passenger-side air bag.

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Fig. 1: Locating Driver-Side SRS Maintenance Lid & Connector (Typical)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Passenger-Side Air Bag (Except 3.5RL)

Remove glove box. Disconnect harness connector from passenger-side air bag connector. See Fig. 2 .
Passenger's air bag is now disabled.

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Fig. 2: Locating Passenger-Side SRS Harness Connector (Typical; Except 3.5RL)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Seat Belt Pretensioner (3.5RL)

Remove lower seat belt anchor bolt and quarter trim panels. Disconnect seat belt tension reducer 2-pin
connector and seat belt pretensioner 2-pin connector from right and left seat belt pretensioners. See Fig. 3 .

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Fig. 3: Locating Seat Belt Pretensioner Connector (3.5RL)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Driver-Side Air Bag (3.5RL)

Turn ignition off. Disconnect battery cables. Wait at least 5 minutes to allow capacitor in back-up circuit to
discharge. Remove access panel below driver's air bag on steering wheel. See Fig. 1 . Disconnect driver-side air
bag 2-pin connector from cable reel 2-pin connector.

Passenger-Side Air Bag (3.5RL)

Remove glove box. Unplug connector between passenger-side air bag and SRS main harness. See Fig. 4 .

Fig. 4: Locating Passenger-Side Air Bag 2-Pin Connector (3.5RL)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

ACTIVATING SYSTEM

Except 3.5RL

1. Ensure ignition switch is off and battery cables are disconnected. Reconnect air bag harness connectors.
2. Install access panel to steering wheel. Install glove box. Reconnect battery cables.
3. Turn ignition on. Observe SRS indicator light to verify system is functioning properly. SRS indicator
light should come on for about 6 seconds and then go off. While vehicle is driven, SRS light should not
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come on or flash. If SRS indicator light does not operate as indicated, system must be inspected/repaired
as soon as possible. See appropriate article in AIR BAG SERVICE & REPAIR.

3.5RL

1. Reconnect seat belt tension reducer 2-pin connector and seat belt pretensioner 2-pin connector to right
and left seat belt pretensioners. Reinstall quarter trim panel and lower seat belt anchor bolt.
2. Reconnect passenger-side air bag 2-pin connector to SRS main harness 2-pin connector. Reinstall glove
box.
3. Reconnect driver's air bag 2-pin connector to cable reel 2-pin connector. Reinstall access panel under
driver's air bag. Reconnect battery. Check SRS indicator light to verify system functions properly.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD

WARNING: Never store air bag upside down. Accidental deployment could cause
serious injury. Store air bag with pad surface up and away from work
area. DO NOT disassemble or tamper with air bag assembly.

Removal

1. Deactivate air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Position front wheels straight-ahead. Remove left side maintenance lid and cruise control
switch lid. Note position of all connectors. Disconnect cruise control, horn and radio switch, if equipped.
Remove Torx bolts and discard. Remove air bag assembly. See Fig. 5 .
2. Mark steering wheel and shaft for installation reference. Remove steering wheel shaft bolt/nut. On
Integra, remove steering wheel by rocking slightly while pulling steadily with both hands. On all other
models, use suitable puller to remove steering wheel.

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Fig. 5: Removing Driver-Side Air Bag Assembly (All Models)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Installation

1. Align reference marks. Center cable reel by rotating cable reel clockwise until it stops. Rotate cable reel
counterclockwise about 2 turns.
2. Arrow mark on cable reel should point straight up. See Fig. 6 . Install steering wheel, ensure steering
wheel shaft engages cable reel and canceling sleeve. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.
Install air bag. Install new Torx bolts and tighten to 88 INCH lbs. (10 N.m). Reactivate air bag system.
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See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.

Fig. 6: Centering Cable Reel

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

COMBINATION SWITCH

Removal & Installation

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard panel and knee bolster,
if equipped. Unplug combination switch connectors and remove turn signal canceling sleeve. Remove
combination switch mounting screws and switch. To install, reverse removal procedure.

CAUTION: On vehicles with TCS, DO NOT remove steering angle sensor from the
combination switch.

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Fig. 7: Removing Combination Switch

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT SWITCH

Removal & Installation

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove dashboard lower panel, steering column upper and lower covers, and knee bolster, if
equipped. Unplug harness connector. Remove mounting screws and turn signal/headlight switch. See Fig. 8 .
To install, reverse removal procedure.

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Fig. 8: Removing/Installing Turn Signal/Headlight Switch

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

WIPER/WASHER SWITCH

Removal & Installation

Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers, dashboard lower panel and knee bolster, if
equipped. Unplug wiper/washer wiring harness connectors. Remove 2 screws and wiper/washer switch. To
install, reverse removal procedure.

IGNITION SWITCH

Removal & Installation

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Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove steering wheel. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard
panel and left knee bolster, if equipped. On Integra, unplug 5-pin connector from underdash fuse block and 7-
pin connector from main wire harness. On all other models, unplug connector from ignition switch or underdash
fuse block. Set ignition switch to "O" position. Remove 2 screws and ignition switch. To install, reverse
removal procedure.

STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY

Removal & Installation (Except 3.5RL)

1. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Remove lower dashboard panel and left
knee bolster, if equipped. On Integra, unplug 5-pin connector from underdash fuse block and 7-pin
connector from main wiring harness. On all other models, unplug connector from ignition switch or
underdash fuse block.
2. Remove steering column mounting bolts/nuts. Lower steering column. Center-punch both shear bolts.
Using a 3/16" bit, drill heads from bolts. Remove shear bolts and steering lock assembly.
3. Install new switch without key inserted. Finger-tighten new shear bolts. Insert key. Check for proper
operation. Tighten shear bolts until heads break off. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

3.5RL

1. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove steering column. See STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY . File notch into shear
bolt head. Set tip of chisel in notch and loosen bolt by tapping on chisel. Remove shear bolt from switch
body. Insert ignition key and turn to "ACC" (1) position. Push lock pin down and pull out steering lock
body from steering column. See Fig. 9 .
2. Insert ignition key into new steering lock body and turn to "ACC" (1) position. Push lock pin down and
insert steering lock into steering column until it clicks into place. See Fig. 9 . Loosely install new shear
bolt. Ensure steering wheel lock operates smoothly and ignition key turns freely. Tighten shear bolt until
hex head twists off.

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Fig. 9: Removing & Installing Steering Lock (3.5RL)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY

Removal

1. Deactivate air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG
SYSTEM. Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL & HORN PAD . Remove left and right
lower covers from instrument panel. Remove front console. Remove left knee bolster from steering
hanger.
2. Remove steering joint cover. Remove steering shaft joint pinch bolts. Mark steering joint and pinion shaft
for installation reference. Disengage steering joint from pinion shaft by moving steering joint toward
steering column.
3. Remove upper and lower steering column covers. Unplug all wiring harness connectors. Remove air bag
wiring harness from connector holder under steering column. Remove turn signal canceling sleeve and
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combination switch. Remove steering column mounting bolts. Remove steering column assembly.

Installation

Position steering column assembly into hole in floorboard. Align reference marks, and install steering joint onto
pinion shaft. Install and tighten steering joint pinch bolts. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install steering
joint cover. Install steering column to underside of dashboard. To complete installation, reverse removal
procedure.

OVERHAUL

NOTE: For overhaul procedure, refer to exploded view of steering column. See Fig. 10
or Fig. 11 .

Fig. 10: Exploded View Of Steering Column Assembly (Typical; Except 3.5RL)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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Fig. 11: Exploded View Of Steering Column Assembly (3.5RL)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Column Holder Bolts/Nuts 16 (22)
Seat Belt Pretensioner Lower Mounting Bolt 24 (32)
Shoulder Harness Upper & Lower Anchor Bolts 24 (32)
Steering Joint Pinch Bolt 16 (22)
Steering Wheel Bolt 28 (38)
Steering Wheel Nut 37 (50)
Upper Column Mounting Bolts/Nuts
Except Integra 12 (16)
Integra 10 (13)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Air Bag Torx Bolts (Driver & Passenger Side) 88 (10)
SRS Unit Torx Bolts 88 (10)

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