Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing & Jacket

STEERING SHAFT, LOWER BEARING, AND JACKET REPLACEMENT (TILT)

TOOLS REQUIRED
J 41688 Centering Sphere Installer

REMOVAL PROCEDURE







1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in Restraint Systems.
Air Bag(s) Arming and Disarming

CAUTION: Refer to SIR Caution in Service Precautions.
SIR Caution


2. Remove the steering column jacket.
3. Remove the lower spring retainer (5) and discard.
4. Remove the lower bearing spring (4).
5. Remove the lower bearing seat (3).
6. Remove the adapter and bearing assembly (2) from steering column jacket assembly (1).







7. Remove the steering shaft assembly from the steering column jacket assembly.









8. Remove the 4 support screws and discard.
9. Remove the steering column support assembly from the steering column jacket assembly.







10. Tilt the upper shaft assembly (1) 90 degrees to the lower steering shaft assembly (2) and disengage.

IMPORTANT: Mark the upper shaft assembly and the lower steering shaft assembly to ensure proper assembly. Failure to assemble properly will cause the steering wheel to be turned 180 degrees.







11. Insert the race and upper shaft assembly (1) into J 41688.
12. Insert J 41688 into a vise.
13. Rotate the driver 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in order to disengage the centering sphere from the race and upper shaft assembly.
14. Remove the race and upper shaft assembly (1) from J 41688.
15. Remove the shaft preload spring and the centering sphere from J 41688.
16. If necessary, discard the old centering sphere and the old shaft preload spring.







17. Remove the joint preload spring from the centering sphere.



INSTALLATION PROCEDURE







1. Lubricate the centering sphere (1) with GM P/N 12345718 (Canadian P/N 10953516).
2. Install the centering sphere (1) and the joint preload spring (2) into J 41688.







3. Compress the centering sphere and joint preload spring with J 41688.







4. Install the upper shaft assembly.
5. After the race and upper shaft assembly (1) is firmly attached to the centering sphere, rotate the shaft 90 degrees downward in order to lock the centering sphere in place.







6. Remove the centering sphere installer and the race and upper shaft assembly from the vise.
7. Disassemble J 41688 by separating the base. After the tool is disassembled, remove the race and upper shaft from J 41688.







8. Lubricate the centering sphere with GM P/N 12345718 (Canadian P/N 10953516).
9. Using the alignment marks from the disassemble procedure, tilt the upper and lower shafts 90 degrees to each other and engage.







10. Install the steering column support assembly to the steering column jacket assembly with the 4 support screws.

NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Fastener Notice


Tighten
Tighten the screws to 8 N.m (71 lb in).








11. Install the steering shaft assembly into the steering column support assembly.







12. Install the adapter and bearing assembly (2) to the steering column jacket assembly (1). Position the tab on the adapter and bearing assembly with the slot in steering column jacket assembly and push together.
13. Install the lower bearing seat (3).
14. Install the lower bearing spring (4).
15. Install the new lower spring retainer (5).
When installing, compress the lower bearing spring (4) to the length of 23.5 mm (0.93 in) between the lower bearing seat (3) and the lower spring retainer (5).
16. Install the steering column jacket.

CAUTION: SIR Inflator Module Coil Caution.
Improper routing of the wire harness assembly may damage the inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil. This may result in a malfunction of the coil, which may cause personal injury.

17. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in Restraint Systems.