Steering Wheel - Excessive Play, Knock When Turned
57-18Steering - Lower Column - Excessive Play/Knocking - Repair Procedure -
Service Action S398
MODEL: Sedan Range 1993 MY DATE: 9/94
From: VIN 669506
To: VIN 669989
ISSUE:
1993 MY Sedan Range vehicles from VIN 669506 to 669989 may have excessive steering wheel play. The excessive play may be accompanied by a knock when the wheel is turned.
These symptoms are caused by an incorrectly manufactured lower steering column damper which was fitted on some vehicles within the VIN range.
ACTION:
Examine all 1993 MY Sedan Range vehicles at the next service opportunity to see if they are part of this action. If the vehicle's VIN appears on the S398 SERVICE ACTION VIN LIST, a new lower steering column (P/N BEC 14009) must be installed.
Procedure:
1. Disarm the SRS (airbag). Refer to Service Manual section 57.60.01.
2. Center the steering and remove the ignition key.
3. Remove the pinch bolt and nut clamping the upper steering column universal joint to the lower column (Illustration 1).
4. Remove the pinch bolt and nut clamping the lower steering column universal joint to the steering rack pinion (Illustration 1).
IMPORTANT:
Mark the position of the lower column universal joint on the steering rack pinion.
5. Remove the lower column. Remove the bulkhead grommet, and inside the vehicle, recover the spring and steering column collar.
6. Fit the bulkhead grommet to the new lower column. Slide the new column through the bulkhead.
7. Install the lower steering column universal joint on the steering rack pinion and torque the pinch bolt and nut to 14 - 17 lb.ft. (19 - 24 N-m).
IMPORTANT:
The lower universal joint must align to the bolt hole in the steering rack pinion.
8. Wedge the universal joint to keep it from closing.
9. Inside the vehicle, fit the spring and steering column collar to the lower column.
10. Remove the upper steering column bearing bolts.
11. Connect and fully seat the upper steering column universal joint. Refit but do not fully tighten the pinch bolt and nut
12. Reposition the upper steering column bearing and fully tighten the bolts.
13. Check the position of the lower column and upper universal joint Torque the upper universal joint pinch bolt and nut to 14 - 21 lb.ft. (24 - 30 N-m).
14. Slide the upper universal joint cover down into position.
15. Install the bulkhead grommet.
WARNING:
Remove the wedge fitted to the lower column universal joint
16. Arm the SRS (airbag).
PARTS INFORMATION:
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION
BEC 14009 Lower steering column
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
CLAIM SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
A warranty summary code has been assigned to this service action in order to simplify claim submission. The dealership will be reimbursed the labor time allowance and parts as indicated.
DCS Dealers
Submit claims using the appropriate summary code for the vehicle model and work performed. Follow standard campaign submission procedures.
Non-DCS Dealers
Submit claims on the Recall Campaign Summary form W-25. Enter the appropriate summary code for the vehicle model and work performed in the Repair Code column. Do not use the W-1 warranty claim form.
S398 SERVICE ACTION VIN LIST