GM 26042712
Jacket Assembly

When vehicles sustain frame damage or experience substantial body or sheet metal destruction or Steering Column impacts alongside supplemental inflatable restraint system deployment, their Steering Column faces potential damage or misalignment. First check if the Steering Column bracket assembly capsules are seated correctly in their bracket slots before inspecting the parts for any sign of looseness after manual push or pull testing. Check how the bracket fastens to the jacket structure. When the bracket is bolted to the jacket assembly while the capsules are loose in their bracket slots installation involves replacing only the bracket. Replace the jacket assembly if both conditions exist. Replace only the bracket in cases with secure capsules but welded brackets. The distance measurement from the bottom edge of the upper jacket to the specified point on the lower jacket determines jacket assembly collapse. The jacket assembly needs replacement if measurements fall outside specified dimensions. View the Steering Shaft for broken injected plastic elements. The unit requires new Steering Shaft replacement due to the defect. To check frame damage potentially causing Steering Shaft bending the technician should use a dial indicator to measure lower Steering Shaft runout during steering wheel rotation when the amount exceeds 1.60 mm (0.0625 inch).