GM 10250625
Upper Seal

Start the replacement process of intermediate steering shaft seals by turning off the ignition and removing the key to secure the Steering Column. Start by taking out both the left closeout panel and the intermediate shaft seal from its connection point to the Steering Column. Start by disconnecting the intermediate shaft from the Steering Column after removing the intermediate shaft to Steering Column pinch bolt. Collapse the intermediate shaft to make space and cut three 1-inch holes in the insulated area surrounding the seal bolts for easier access. Use a tool to extract intermediate shaft seal bolts without moving the intermediate shaft out of the vehicle. Then pull the intermediate shaft seal from inside the compartment. Drill three 1-inch slots into the vehicle insulation to access and extract the lower intermediate shaft seal from within. To install the intermediate shaft seal workers must first plastically deform the lower intermediate shaft seal until it fits into the upper intermediate shaft seal before seating the intermediate shaft seal onto the intermediate shaft within the vehicle interior. Fasten the intermediate shaft to the Steering Column before installing the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt then torque all intermediate shaft seal bolts to 48 nm (35 ft. Lbs.) and torque all intermediate shaft seal bolts to 3 nm (27 inch lbs.). Secure the intermediate shaft seal to the Steering Column while rotating the lower seal to achieve correct shaft to seal clearance and attach the left closeout panel. Fulfill the following sequential procedure: raise the vehicle, install the lower intermediate shaft seal to the steering gear and then lower the vehicle.

Beginning intermediate steering shaft seal replacement requires users to turn off the ignition and remove the key for Steering Column lock before proceeding. For the replacement install the j 42640 Steering Column anti-rotation pin (J 42640) onto the Steering Column and then remove the left closeout panel. First detach the intermediate shaft seal from the Steering Column before you detach the pinch bolt between the shaft and column and remove the intermediate shaft. To reach the seal bolts collapse the intermediate shaft and make three 1-inch slits through the insulating material. Drill three one-inch slits into the insulation to expose intermediate shaft seal bolts. Remove these bolts while keeping the intermediate shaft in place. Take the intermediate shaft seal out through the vehicle's inside opening. Technical crews should extract any remaining lower intermediate shaft seal from this component by accessing it from within the vehicle. Installation requires drivers to fold the lower intermediate shaft seal into the upper intermediate shaft seal then put the intermediate shaft seal over the intermediate shaft through the inside of the vehicle. First, place the intermediate shaft onto the Steering Column before installing the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt. Tighten intermediate shaft seal bolts to 48 nm (35 ft. Lbs.) followed by torquing to 3 nm (27 inch lbs.). Connect the intermediate shaft seal to the Steering Column while you rotate the lower seal to achieve correct shaft to seal clearance. Install the left panel before lifting the vehicle while supporting it at a steady level. Then attach the bottom steering gear seal to the steering assembly. When the work is complete lower the vehicle in place.

You need to turn off the ignition and take out the key to lock the Steering Column before sealing the intermediate Steering Shaft. The intermediate shaft seal and the disconnected intermediate shaft need removal from the Steering Column. First push down the intermediate shaft until it collapses before you can take off the intermediate shaft seal bolts. Steering gear technicians might need to dismantle the lower portion of the intermediate shaft seal for proper replacement. The intermediate shaft lower seal must be installed below the intermediate shaft on the steering gear first before installing the upper seal over the lower seal and onto the instrument panel. Connect the intermediate shaft to the Steering Column before you install the intermediate shaft seal to the column but make sure to read and follow the fastener notice in service precautions. Finish the installation by tightening the intermediate shaft seal bolts to 3 nm (27 inch lbs.).

Connect the intermediate shaft to the steering column and install the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt.