GM 26097061
Steering Column

Any vehicle that sustains frame damage together with major body or sheet metal damage or impact to the Steering Column or supplemental inflatable restraint deployment needs comprehensive inspection of the Steering Column. Temporarily push and pull all capsules on the Steering Column bracket assembly to ensure proper seating within bracket slots and to check for loose conditions. Examine how the bracket attaches to the jacket assembly because loose capsules require substituting the bracket. Replace the jacket assembly if any capsule on the bracket shows loose seating and the bracket uses welded attachment. A measurement of the distance between lower edges of the upper jacket and a specific marked point on the lower jacket should be taken to detect assembly collapse. Failures in measurement specifications require the jacket assembly replacement. A visual inspection of the Steering Shaft must be done to detect any sheared injected plastic. If sheared plastic is found then the Steering Shaft needs replacement. Steering Column runout measurements with a dial indicator at the lower end of the Steering Shaft must be performed while the wheel turns to inspect any frame damage causing Steering Shaft bending; these measurements must stay under 1.60 mm (0.06 inch).