Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1187

9-34 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
9. Install floor pan trim and insulator cover.
10. Connect all transmission linkage, if linkage requires
adjusting, see Section 7 for the procedure.
11. Adjust back-up light or neutral-start switch (see Sec-
tion 12 for adjustment procedure).
STEERING COLUMN (X SERIES)
REMOVE
NOTE: When the steenng column is removed
from the car, it is extremely susceptible to dam-
age. Dropping the column assembly on its end
could collapse the steenng shaft or loosen the
plastic injections which maintain column ngid-
ity. Leaning on the mast jacket could cause the
jacket to bend or deform. Such damages could
impair the column
's
collapsible design. I f it is
necessary to remove the steenng wheel use
standard wheel puller J 3044- 1. Do not ham-
mer on end ofshaft, as hammenng could loosen
plastic injections which maintain column ngid-
ity.
1. Remove both attaching nuts securing flexible cou-
pling to steering shaft.
2. On column shift transmission and floor shift cars,
disconnect shift linkage from column shift levers.
3. Disconnect all electrical connectors from steering
column.
4. Remove the floor pan trim and insulator cover.
5. Remove screws securing toe cover plate halves to
dash panel and loosen cover clamping screws.
6. Remove instrument panel trim cover screws and
remove cover.
NOTE: Remove lower air conditioning duct
if
so equipped.
7. Remove two nuts securing mounting bracket to in-
strument panel and carefully withdraw column.
INSTALL
NOTE: Make sure this procedure is Mowed in
exactly this order.
that cover assembly is snug on column but still will
move with respect to column (Fig. 9-35).
Glue dash panel seal (D) to upper (A) and lower
cover (B).
Position rolled portion of dash panel seal at the col-
umn lower reaction tab two inches from bottom of
mast jacket.
CAUTION: Rolled portion of seal must be di-
rected down column toward front of car and
must remain in this position dunng and after
column installation.
C AUTI 0 N : See CA UTION on page l of this
Section regarding the fasteners referred to in
step 4.
Position steering column in car and attach steering
shaft flange to steering gear flexible coupling and
tighten coupling nuts to 20 lb. ft. torque.
NOTE: Align large flexible coupling attaching
bolt in large hole of steering shaft flange. Metal-
to-metal contact between flanges on steering
gear stub shaft assembly and steering shaft as-
sembly will transmit and ampliYj gear noise to
the dn'ver. (See FLEXIBLE COUPLING ou-
tlined at front of Section 9 and Fig. 9-6 for use
of plastic alignment spacers).
Tighten two rearward mast jacket bracket retaining
nuts (H) to 20 lb. ft. torque while holding flexible
coupling to flange clearance dimension shown
(5/16").
CAUTION: Do not over-torque nuts because
correct torque is necessary to insure breakaway
action of the bracket and capsules in the event
of a collision.
1. Install upper (A) and lower (B) steering column to
dash covers on column and tighten two screws (C) so
I
Fig. 9-35 Installation of Steering Column (X Series)