GM 26094743
Steering Column

Any vehicle sustains frame damage and major body impacts and sheet metal collisions alongside Steering Column impacts or supplemental inflatable restraints system activation will potentially show signs of Steering Column misalignment or damage. Apply manual pressure to each capsule of the bracket assembly for the Steering Column to verify its secure seating in its slots and check for any loose conditions; replace the bracket if attached to the jacket assembly using bolts yet any looseness is noted or replace the jacket assembly if brackets are welded. A new jacket needs to be installed as the measured distance between the lower edge of the upper jacket and the defined lower jacket point shows a collapsed condition. You must take away the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column before the shaft rotation in order to protect the coil assembly from harm. Check the Steering Shaft visually for sheared injected plastic. If plastic failure exists you must replace the Steering Shaft with a new one. Tests for frame damage should include using a dial indicator to check Steering Shaft runout at the lower end where the dial indicator measures less than .0025 inch (.0025 inch).

Accidents that lead to frame degeneration or major body damage or sheet metal harm as well as Steering Column contact or activation of the supplemental inflatable restraint system may damage or misalign the Steering Column. Check the capsules on the Steering Column bracket assembly for secure bracket slot seating and inspect for looseness by manual hand pressure; replace the bracket through the jacket when bolted or replace the jacket when bracket welding is present. Verify jacket assembly collapse by checking the distance from upper to lower jacket edges at defined points; obtain a new jacket if measurements exceed specifications. Rotation of the shaft needs the inflatable restraint coil assembly to be removed from the Steering Column due to preventing coil assembly damage while hanging freely. The inspection of the Steering Shaft needs to be conducted visually to check for sheared injected plastic. Install a new Steering Shaft if sheared plastic is found. A dial indicator should be used to check the Steering Shaft runout at the bottom end during steering wheel rotation before continuing since runout should be 1.60 mm or less.

Vehicle collusions that generate frame damage or major body damage or sheet metal damage or impact to the Steering Column or deployment of the supplemental inflatable restraints system will result in damage or misalignment of the Steering Column. The Steering Column bracket assembly requires inspection to verify that every capsule remains in position within its bracket slot while assessing loose conditions by manual pushing and pulling; a bracket replacement should be performed if attached to the jacket assembly yet replacement of the jacket assembly is necessary if bracket welding is present. Check the lower upper jacket to defined lower jacket distance to determine jacket assembly collapse; use new jackets if measurement results fall outside specifications. It is necessary to remove the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column before shaft rotation because free suspension prevents coil assembly damage. Look for sheared injected plastic on the Steering Shaft but replace the shaft with a new one in case signs of shearing are detected. A dial indicator should verify Steering Shaft runout at its bottom end during wheel rotation since any excess measurement should stay below 1.60 mm.

Any vehicle sustains frame damage and major body impacts and sheet metal collisions alongside Steering Column impacts or supplemental inflatable restraints system activation will potentially show signs of Steering Column misalignment or damage. Apply manual pressure to each capsule of the bracket assembly for the Steering Column to verify its secure seating in its slots and check for any loose conditions; replace the bracket if attached to the jacket assembly using bolts yet any looseness is noted or replace the jacket assembly if brackets are welded. A new jacket needs to be installed as the measured distance between the lower edge of the upper jacket and the defined lower jacket point shows a collapsed condition. You must take away the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column before the shaft rotation in order to protect the coil assembly from harm. Check the Steering Shaft visually for sheared injected plastic. If plastic failure exists you must replace the Steering Shaft with a new one. Tests for frame damage should include using a dial indicator to check Steering Shaft runout at the lower end where the dial indicator measures less than .0025 inch (.0025 inch).