GM 19133736
Steering Column

Sustained frame damage together with major sheet metal deformations and collisions that strike the Steering Column or activate supplementary air bags will potentially cause damage to Steering Column alignment. Test each capsule in the Steering Column bracket assembly while inspecting its secure seating position in the slot system. Use hand activation to check for free movement or looseness. Replace the bracket when installed by bolts to the jacket assembly but change the entire jacket assembly if welding holds the bracket in place. Checking the lower edge of the upper jacket against a specific position on the lower jacket requires measurement to evaluate possible collapse. Stated specifications guide when to replace the jacket assembly. First detach the sir coil from the Steering Column before letting it drop freely while performing shaft rotation. A visual examination of the Steering Shaft should look for plastic shearing; replacement of the Steering Shaft becomes necessary when shearing occurs. A dial indicator measurement at the bottom of the Steering Shaft determines if frame damage exists by tracking the shaft runout during steering wheel rotation. The acceptable runout measurement is 0.0625 inches (1.60 mm).

Any vehicle with frame damage together with significant body sheet metal damage or impacted Steering Column or supplemental inflatable restraint system deployment may show damaged or misaligned Steering Column conditions. The inspection of Steering Column bracket capsules should verify complete seating within slots and ensure there are no loose conditions by manual push or pull tests; a new bracket requires installation if it bolts to the jacket yet a new jacket must be fitted if bracket connectivity is welded. To verify jacket assembly integrity measure the distance from the lower edge of the upper jacket to its definite point on the lower jacket while new jackets need installation if measurements deviate from specifications. Before rotating the shaft you should release the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column to avoid damaging its components. Visual inspection of the Steering Shaft should be conducted for sheared plastic material; when this is detected the driver must install a new Steering Shaft. The lower end of the Steering Shaft requires dial indicator runout measurement during steering wheel rotation for any potential frame damage that could result in a bent Steering Shaft. The measured runout should stay under 1.60 mm.

Accidents leading to frame damage combined with major body or sheet metal damage and both Steering Column impact and inflation of supplemental air bags will result in a misaligned or damaged Steering Column. Check all Steering Column bracket capsules to confirm their proper seat within bracket slots while also performing manual tests to check for loose conditions. Any loose capsules require replacement of the bracket whenever it uses bolts to connect to the jacket assembly or when it needs the complete jacket assembly replacement. A distance check should be performed from the lower edge of the upper jacket to a specific point on the lower jacket to detect jacket assembly collapse. Replace the jacket assembly if measurements fall outside of specifications. Take out the sir coil from the Steering Column until it forms a free hanging position before starting shaft rotation. Examine the Steering Shaft for damaged plastic material because replacement of the shaft becomes necessary if sheared plastic appears. When using a dial indicator at the lower end of the Steering Shaft to check the runout during steering wheel rotation you should ensure that the maximum allowable runout remains below 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).

Frame damage and major body or sheet metal damage alongside impact to the Steering Column or supplemental inflatable restraint system deployment will cause damage or misalignment to the Steering Column in involved vehicles. Check all capsules in the Steering Column bracket assembly for secure fitting within bracket slots while testing for loose mechanisms by manual hand pulls and pushes. The bracket requires replacement when bolted to the jacket assembly but requires replacement of the whole jacket assembly when welded to it. Check the jacket assembly dimensions from its lower edge to the specified point on its lower section; discard the assembly if measurements deviate from specifications. Before rotating the shaft remove the sir coil from the Steering Column to create free movement by the coil. It is necessary to visually check the Steering Shaft for injected plastic sheared parts because replacement of the Steering Shaft will be necessary if sheared parts are detected. Use a dial indicator on the Steering Shaft base while rotating the wheel to measure frame-induced shaft runout as it should be less than 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).

Accidents that damage the car frame together with significant body or sheet metal damage and impact to steering columns or supplemental inflatable restraint deployment may produce misalignment or damage in the Steering Column. Verify that all capsules from the Steering Column bracket assembly fit properly into bracket slots by hand and identify loose components immediately by pushing or pulling them; replace the bracket assembly when it is bolted to the jacket assembly or the jacket assembly when the bracket is welded. Check the upper and lower jacket assembly distance measurement which demonstrates the collapse state of the jacket; discard the jacket assembly when measurement results deviate from specified parameters. First untether theyst coil from its Steering Column position then let it drop without restriction before rotating the shaft. The inspection of Steering Shaft should include a search for sheared plastic parts at the shaft. Replacement of the shaft becomes necessary when sheared pieces are detected. A dial indicator should measure the Steering Shaft runout at its lower end during steering wheel rotation to check for frame damage that causes bent shafts; maximum allowable runout is 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).

Accidents that damage the vehicle frame together with substantial body and sheet metal damage or impact to steering columns and supplemental inflatable restraint deployment require immediate inspection of the Steering Column. Check the Steering Column bracket assembly capsules for proper seating in the slots as well as any loose conditions by manually pushing or pulling the components. It is imperative to replace the bracket even if it is bolted to the jacket assembly yet a jacket assembly replacement is needed for weld-only constructions. A measurement of distance between the lower edge of the upper jacket and a specific point on the lower jacket needs to be performed to verify jacket assembly integrity. The assembly requires replacement if measurements fall outside suitable specifications. Detach the sir coil from the Steering Column then let it hang without any restraint to rotate the shaft. The inspection of the Steering Shaft must reveal sheared injected plastic which leads to replacement of the Steering Shaft. Measuring the Steering Shaft runout at the lower end requires a dial indicator to evaluate potential frame damage that would cause Steering Shaft bending; the allowed runout is limited to 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).

Vehicles with frame damage along with major body or sheet metal damage or Steering Column contact or supplemental inflatable restraint system activation may develop a damaged or misaligned Steering Column. Look for secure staple positions in the bracket slots of column fixations while performing hand-based push and pull tests to check for bracket looseness; disabled brackets must be exchanged when attached to jacket assemblies through bolts whereas jacket assemblies need replacement if brackets are welded. Check for jacket assembly collapse by measuring from the Steering Column support bracket mounting plate to the lower edge of the jacket lower bracket and replace the jacket assembly if the measurement shows a value under 286 mm. Put the sir coil aside and let it hang without restraint before you rotate the shaft. Inspection of the Steering Shaft must reveal any sheered plastic material and when detected replacement of the Steering Shaft will be needed. A dial indicator should be used at the Steering Shaft bottom to measure runout while steering wheel rotation; the maximum acceptable runout is 1.60 mm (0.0625 in).

Accidents that result in frame damage, major body or sheet metal damage, impact to the steering column, or deployment of supplemental inflatable restraint systems.

By placing a straight edge against the intermediate shaft at various locations along the convoluted area.

Use a dial indicator at the lower end of the steering shaft while rotating the steering wheel.

Replace the bracket if it is bolted to the jacket assembly; if welded, replace the jacket assembly.

Replace the jacket assembly.