Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1192

STEERING 9-39
NOTE: Steps 3 through I5 can be performed
with cohmn installed in car and lowered from
instrument panel. Never let c o h n be unsup-
ported when lowered from instrument panel.
Check alignment of column after attaching to
instrument panel.
Remove shift indicator assembly if it needs to be
serviced by removing retaining spring(s) and lifting
off assembly from upper bearing housing on all mod-
els except B Series (Fig. 9-31).
Remove steering wheel, if still attached (see STEER-
ING WHEEL
-
REMOVE).
Remove turn signal switch (see TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
-
REMOVE, steps 2 through 10).
NOTE: It is recommended that the steering
shaft be removed at this time to eliminate the
possibility of it sliding out the lower end of the
column and being damaged. Steps 6 through I6
are not required
if
steenng shaft, lo wer beanng,
and shift tube (step 9 is required on cars
equipped with column shifi manual transmis-
sion to remove shift tube) are the only parts to
be replaced. (Remove back-up light and neu-
tral-start switch on all cars before removing
'
shifi tube.)
Remove lock cylinder if it needs to be serviced (see
LOCK CYLINDER
-
REMOVE, steps 3 and 4).
CAUTION: Buzzer switch must be left in place
until AFTER the Iock cylinder is remo ved. The
reason for removing in this order is to reduce
the possibility of damage to the small plastic
buzzer switch actuator protruding from the
Iock cylnder. The s p n ~ g action o f the buzzer
switch holds this actuator up into the cylnder
so that it will not catch on the c o h n housing
when the Iock cylinder is removed.
NOTE: Lock cylnder does not have to be
removed to remove upper bearing housing.
Remove buzzer switch if it needs to be serviced (see
BUZZER SWITCH
-
REMOVE, step 3).
NOTE: Buzzer switch does not have to be
removed to remove upper bearing housing.
To remove any further parts from the upper end, the
ignition switch should be removed. Remove the two
attaching screws and the switch.
Drive out upper shift lever pivot pin and remove
upper shift lever.
Remove the four screws attaching the upper bearing
housing to the jacket. Remove the upper housing
assembly (Fig. 9-40).
Remove thrust cup if still attached to housing (Fig.
9-41).
Remove the rack and lock bolt (Fig. 9-42).
Remove the rack load spring (Fig. 9-43).
Remove the sector through the lock cylinder hole by
pushing firmly on the wide tooth of the sector with
a blunt punch (Fig. 9-44).
Remove shift bowl and shroud from the jacket.
DISASSEMBLE LOWER END
Steering wheel, cover, shafi Iock, snap ring, spring cancell-
ing cam and flat washer must be removed prior to disas-
sembly of the lower end. Follow instructions in steps 4 and
5 above.
1. Pull steering shaft assembly from bottom of column.
Fig.
9-39
Mounting Column In Vise By Welded Tapping
Nuts
Fig. 9-40 Removing Upper Bearing Housing