GM 26058904
Steering Column

Accidents that cause frame damage together with major body damage and sheet metal damage while also affecting the Steering Column and triggering deployment of the supplemental inflatable restraints system can result in misalignment of the Steering Column. Open the capsules from the Steering Column bracket assembly to confirm they properly sit in bracket slots and manually check for loose situations that develop during manual tests; perform new part installation either on the bracket itself if bolted to jackets or on jacket assemblies when they are welded. Use measurements from the lower edge of the upper jacket to determine if the jacket assembly shows collapse; get a new jacket when measurements are outside of specifications. Visual analysis of the shift tube must be performed for sheared injected plastic before you install a new shift tube. The upper shift tube plastic bearing is damaged if you can use the shift lever to reach the park position without lifting it. Review the Steering Shaft for plastic material shearing by removing its inflatable restraint coil. Replace the shaft if fragmentation of plastic is detected. A dial indicator must check Steering Shaft runout when rotating the steering wheel at the lower end because any frame damage that could cause bending should not exceed 1.60 mm (or equivalent 40.64 inch).

Check the steering shaft runout using a dial indicator at the lower end of the steering shaft while rotating the steering wheel.