Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 1200

STEERING
Align lower bearing adapter notches in jacket and
push in lower end of mast jacket. Shift tube should
pilot in adapter while this is done. Install clip.
Install the back-up light or neutral-start switch
loosely to the jacket assembly. This will be tightened
to the jacket after installing column in car and adjust-
ment of switch.
C AU TI 0 N: Use only the proper screws. Screws
must not be longer than l/4" or damage to the
shift tube will occur.
Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring in up-
per steering shaft. Install lower steering shaft from
same side of spheres that spring ends protrude.
Install steering shaft assembly in shift tube from up-
per end. Carefully guide shaft through shift tube and
bearing.
Install ignition switch actuator rod through bowl
from bottom and insert in slot in support. Extend
rack downward from bearing housing.
Install external tilt release lever and, holding lock
shoes in disengaged position, assemble upper bearing
housing over steering shaft, engage rack over end of
actuator rod and line up the pivot pin holes (Fig.
9-64).
Install pivot pins.
Place housing in full "UP" position and install guide,
tilt spring and tilt spring retainer using screwdriver
in retainer slot. Turn retainer clockwise to engage
(Fig. 9-54).
Install inner race, inner race seat on upper steering
shaft.
Remove tilt release lever.
Install tilt lever opening shield in housing (Fig. 9-58).
Install housing cover and tighten three screws to 85
lb. in. torque.
Install tilt release lever.
Install buzzer switch, if removed (see BUZZER
SWITCH
-
INSTALL, steps 1 through 3).
CAUTION : Buzzer switch should be installed
BEFORE the lock cylinder. The reason for re-
placing in this order is to reduce the possibility
of damage to the small plastic buzzer switch
actuator protruding from the lock cylinder.
The spring action of the buzzer switch holds
this actuator up into the cylinder so that it will
not catch on the column housing when the lock
cylinder is installed.
Install lock cylinder (see LOCK CYLINDER
-
IN-
STALL, steps 1 through 7).
Install the ignition switch by inserting the actuator
rod into the slider hole and assemble to the column
with two screws. Push the switch lightly down the
column (away from the steering wheel), to take out
lash in the actuator rod, and tighten attaching screws
to 35 lb. in. torque.
CAUTION: Use only the correct screws.
NOTE: Before installing switch, place the lock
cylinder in "ACCESSOR Y
"
(full counter-
clock wise position) and position the ignition
switch slider in "ACCESSOR Y
"
(see
Section
12 for ignition switch adjustment).
Position shift indicator assembly, if removed, to up-
per bearing housing and install retaining spring(~) on
all models except B Series.
Install turn signal switch (see TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
-
INSTALL).
Install lower steering shaft with pot joint to steering
column shaft. Tighten clamping nut or bolt to 30 lb.
ft. torque (Figs. 9-36 and 9-37).
Reinstall column bracket with the four bolts previ-
ously removed. Do not use a different length bolt.
Tighten bolts to 15 lb. ft. torque.
Install steering wheel (see STEERING WHEEL
-
INSTALL).
Install column in car (see STEERING COLUMN
-
INSTALL).
CAUTION: Make certain that column is never
unsupported when either the toe plate, instru-
ment panel mounting, or gear mounting is con-
'ig. 9-64 Installing Upper Bearing Housing
-
Tilt Column