GM 26092204
Steering Column

The following tools are needed to service and repair the steering wheel and column with tilt: steering wheel puller (J 1859-A). Steering wheel puller (J 1859-A). You should first disable any and all supplement inflatable restraints (SIR) present in the system. Use a j 1859-a tool to remove the inflator module and, subsequently, the horn pad assembly when sir is absent. Next, remove the horn switch. Draw alignment marks first to track the steering wheel position relative to the shaft before you remove the steering wheel bolt. The installation process begins with using the steering wheel puller (J 1859-A) to extract the steering wheel. Line up the marks made during disassembly on the Steering Shaft together with the steering wheel and attach the steering wheel to the Steering Shaft. Apply the steering wheel nut and make sure to tighten it to 40 nm (30 ft. Lbs.). System install requires the inflator module only when sir is present. Either install the horn pad assembly and the horn switch or proceed to their installation. As the last step enable the sir system if you disabled it beforehand.

Any vehicle involved in a collision that produces frame damage together with substantial body or sheet metal damage or hits to the Steering Column or has experienced a supplemental inflatable restraint deployment can exhibit misalignment or damage to its Steering Column. The inspection should evaluate steam capsule placement within bracket slots of the Steering Column bracket assembly while testing for loose connections by manually applying force to the capsules; bracket replacement should happen as a bolted attachment to the jacket assembly but the jacket assembly requires replacement when welded. Use a measurement tool to compare the lower edge of upper jacket distance to a marked lower jacket point as part of detecting jacket assembly collapse; a new jacket needs installation when measurements show incorrect dimensions. Rotate the shaft subsequent to removing the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column while ensuring its free hanging position to avoid coil damage. A visual check of the Steering Shaft for sheared injected plastic should be performed; replacing the shaft with a new one is necessary if sheared plastic is detected. A dial indicator should be used at the Steering Shaft's lower end while the customer rotates the steering wheel to check runout until the measurement stays below 1.60 mm.

The inspection of Steering Column damage becomes necessary after a crashing incident. The Steering Column may become damaged or misaligned after frame damage or body or sheet metal destruction or when supplemental inflatable restraint systems activate. First inspect each Steering Column bracket assembly capsule to verify proper placement in its slots and to check for loose connections when applying manual force. Check that any loose capsules require bracket replacement if installation occurs by bolting to the jacket assembly, while welded jackets need new assembly installation. The jacket assembly requires replacement if welded installation. A measurement between the lower edge of the upper jacket and an established point on the lower jacket needs to be performed to determine if the jacket assembly has collapsed.if the measured dimensions are not within specifications, install a new jacket.shaft rotation will begin after removing the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column because allowing it to dangle freely protects it from damage. Examine the Steering Shaft by sight for missing plastic portions. A new Steering Shaft needs to be installed whenever present damage is detected. Measure the runout with a dial indicator at the Steering Shaft's lower end during wheel rotation to see if frame damage has caused Steering Shaft bending. A maximum runout measurement of 1.60 mm is the allowed limit.