GM 26098664
Steering Column

Accidents that damage the frame or cause substantial body or sheet metal deformations or hit the Steering Column require an examination of possible misalignment or damage of the Steering Column. Also Steering Column inspections should occur following supplemental inflatable restraint system activations. Check the condition of Steering Column bracket assembly capsules to ensure they are properly seated in bracket slots for any looseness. This assessment happens through manual testing by hand. The bracket attachment must be checked against the jacket assembly; unsuitable capsule seating and bracket attachment to the jacket assembly require new bracket replacement. The jacket assembly requires replacement when both the secure capsule seating condition and welded bracket relation with the jacket assembly cannot be fulfilled. Jacket assembly failure occurs when measuring the distance from the lower edge of the upper jacket to a specified lower jacket point; replacement of the broken jacket assembly is required at this time. A visual check of the Steering Shaft should be performed to detect sheared injected plastic material, which requires immediate replacement of the shaft. The lower end of the Steering Shaft must undergo a dial indicator check under steering wheel rotation for runout measurement to ensure it stays below 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).

Inspect for sheared injected plastic.

Replace only the bracket.