GM 20913992
Steering Column

Motor vehicles sustaining collisions which cause either frame breakage or major body deformation or Steering Column impacts will need inspections of their Steering Column capsules and their alignment status along with the inflatable restraint systems if they discharged during the accident. Together with the Steering Column bracket assembly inspection, ensure that all capsules stay properly seated within the bracket slots while checking for loose conditions through hand pressure. The assessment process determines whether to replace only the bracket when the capsules are not secured properly while the bracket is bolted to the jacket assembly but must replace only the entire jacket assembly when the capsules are insecure and the bracket is welded to the jacket assembly. The inspection of jacket assembly collapse requires dimension measurement of the specified distance with new assembly installation if measurements fall outside agreed specifications. Check the bearing and adapter assembly for tab breakage as well as inspect the Steering Shaft for sheared plastic; if the Steering Shaft has sheared plastic then replace it with a new one. Check whether frame damage caused a bent Steering Shaft by using a dial indicator at the lower end of the Steering Shaft during steering wheel rotation to verify that the runout stays under 1.60 mm (0.0625 in).

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

Inspect the capsules on the steering column bracket assembly, ensuring all capsules are securely seated in the bracket slots and checking for any loose conditions when pushed or pulled by hand.