ok i read the sticker on the steering shaft shroud. it says not to rotate the steering shaft with linkage disconnected or the airbag could malfunction. could someone who knows alot abotu this explain to me why that is and whether or not i can rotate it about a half turn with the linkage disconnected.

 

A half a turn is OK, it is important to return the shaft to the same location turn wise before bolting it back together.

The reason for this is that there are wires between the column and air-bag. If you were to unbolt the shaft from the steering box and spin it, the wires would wrap up and possibly be damaged.

These connection wires are in a coil asssembly for protection. But they still can only go so many turns in either direction.

Unfortunate it isn't like the horn connection which is a slip ring. Then again, probably wouldn't want a slip ring on the air-bag for reliability.

RBob.