GM 19167202
Steering Column

Accidents causing frame damage and major body damage or sheet metal damage and impact damage to the Steering Column together with deployment of the supplemental inflatable restraints system can damage or misalign the Steering Column. Check by hand each capsule that sits in the bracket slots of the Steering Column assembly while confirming their proper seating and investigating loose conditions through manual push or pull testing. When the capsules are not properly seated within the bracket slots, you must replace the bracket alone if the attachment is bolts but must replace the entire jacket assembly if the attachment is welding. Use a measurement tool of specified precision to assess the lower edge of the upper jacket against defined points on the lower jacket to identify jacket assembly failure. The measurement will determine a new jacket assembly requirement. Take the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column and let it hang by itself before you start shaft rotation to protect the coil assembly from damage. Steering Shaft replacement is needed when you see sheared injected plastic during visual inspection. Before rotating the wheel check the runout at the bottom of Steering Shaft with a dial indicator because too much runout exceeds 1.60 mm (0.06 inch).

Numerous accidents which trigger frame breakage alongside major body destruction and sheet metal deterioration and Steering Column or supplemental inflatable restraint deployment might damage the Steering Column alignment. Actual inspection of Steering Column bracket assembly capsules must be performed to confirm proper slot seating while testing for loose components through manual pressure and pulling movements. When the brackets show improper capsule seating but use bolts to join with the jacket assembly perform bracket replacement only. Contrarily if capsules sit improperly yet brackets weld to the jacket assembly you need to replace the entire jacket assembly. A dimension check from the bottom of the upper jacket to a specific point on the lower jacket determines jacket assembly collapse; replace the complete jacket assembly when specifications are not met. Ensure the shaft rotation starts after coil assembly removal from the Steering Column so the coil remains untethered to protect its assembly from damage. A visible inspection must be carried out on the Steering Shaft to detect broken pieces of plastic injection. If plastic injection pieces appear, the shaft needs replacement. An inspection should be performed with a dial indicator on the lower Steering Shaft end when rotating the wheel to measure runout while guaranteeing it stays under 1.60 mm (0.06 in).

Vehicles that were involved in accidents that caused frame damage, significant body damage, sheet metal impacts, or impacts to the Steering Column, as well as supplemental inflatable restraints system deployment may have a damaged or misaligned Steering Column. Check the capsules off the Steering Column bracket assembly for proper seats in capsule slot and don't forget to inspect all for loose condition by hand pushin and pullin the capsules. Note how the bracket is attached to the jacket assembly; if the capsules are not firmly held and the bracket is bolted onto the jacket assembly then the bracket is replaced only but if the capsules are not firmly seated and the bracket is welded onto the jacket assembly then the latter is replaced only. Test the distance between the lower edge of the upper jacket and another specific point on the low jacket to determine jacket assembly collapse; if the measurements are not within specifications, replace the jacket assembly. Before turning the shaft, remove the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column and allow to hang free so not to damage the coil assembly. Visually inspect the Steering Shaft for sheared injected plastic ; if available, change the Steering Shaft. Any frame damage that could cause bent Steering Shaft is checked for Steering Shaft runout with a dial indicator close to the bottom end of Steering Shaft when steering wheel rotates and there is no more than 1.60 mm (0.06 inch) of runout.

Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system.

Check the steering shaft runout using a dial indicator at the lower end of the steering shaft while rotating the steering wheel, ensuring the runout does not exceed 1.60 mm (0.06 inch).