Steering Column Replacement

Fig 1: Steering Column & Mounting Components

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

Callout	Component Name
CAUTION: With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components: The steering column The steering shaft coupling The intermediate shaft(s) After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has became un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil. Preliminary Procedures Verify the front wheels are in the straight ahead position and LOCK the steering column. Remove the steering column upper and lower trim covers. Refer to Steering Column Upper Trim Cover Replacement , and Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement . Remove the driver side instrument panel carrier support bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Carrier Support Bracket Replacement - Driver Side . Place match marks on the steering column shaft and the intermediate steering shaft. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering column. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement . Disconnect any electrical connectors.
1	Steering Column Nut (Qty: 4) CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution . Tighten 22 N.m (16 lb ft)
2	Steering Column CAUTION: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section. Procedure If replacing the steering column, copy the match marks from the old steering column to the new steering column. Transfer any parts as needed. After installation and before the steering column upper and lower trim covers are installed, relearn the soft and hard stops. Refer to Steering Column Tilt Wheel and Telescope Control Module Learn . After installation, center the steering angle sensor. Refer to Steering Angle Sensor Replacement . NOTE: In order to relearn the steering column soft and hard stops, the steering column must be mounted and fastened and the steering column upper and lower trim covers cannot be installed.

Callout

Component Name

CAUTION:

With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system. The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:

The steering column
The steering shaft coupling
The intermediate shaft(s)

After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has became un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.

Preliminary Procedures

Verify the front wheels are in the straight ahead position and LOCK the steering column.
Remove the steering column upper and lower trim covers. Refer to Steering Column Upper Trim Cover Replacement , and Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement .
Remove the driver side instrument panel carrier support bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Carrier Support Bracket Replacement - Driver Side .
Place match marks on the steering column shaft and the intermediate steering shaft.
Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering column. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement .
Disconnect any electrical connectors.

Steering Column Nut (Qty: 4)

CAUTION:

Refer to Fastener Caution .

Tighten
22 N.m (16 lb ft)

Steering Column

CAUTION:

Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.

Procedure

If replacing the steering column, copy the match marks from the old steering column to the new steering column.
Transfer any parts as needed.
After installation and before the steering column upper and lower trim covers are installed, relearn the soft and hard stops. Refer to Steering Column Tilt Wheel and Telescope Control Module Learn .
After installation, center the steering angle sensor. Refer to Steering Angle Sensor Replacement .

NOTE:

In order to relearn the steering column soft and hard stops, the steering column must be mounted and fastened and the steering column upper and lower trim covers cannot be installed.