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9-2 STEERING
CAUTION: ALL COLUMN FASTENERS ARE IMPORTANT ATTACHING PARTS IN THAT THEY
COULD AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF VITAL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS, AND/OR COULD
RESULT IN MAJOR REPAIR EXPENSE . THEY MUST BE REPLACED WITH PARTS OF THE SAME PART
NUMBERS OR WITH EQUIVALENT PARTS IF REPLACEMENT BECOMES NECESSARY. DO NOT
USE REPLACEMENT PARTS OF LESSER QUALITY OR SUBSTITUTE DESIGN . TORQUE VALUES MUST
BE USED AS SPECIFIED DURING REASSEMBLY TO ASSURE PROPER RETENTION OF THESE PARTS.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND
OPERATION
The function-locking steering column in-
cludes important features in addition to the
steering function :
1. The ignition switch and lock are mounted
conveniently on the column .
2 . With
the
column-mounted
lock,
the
ignition, steering and gearshifting operation
can be locked to inhibit theft of the vehicle .
The tilt function-locking columns are de-
signed for ease of entry and driver comfort.
These columns have seven different steering
wheel angle positions .
The tilt mechanism consists of an upper and
lower steering shaft assembly with a universal
joint between them .
A support assembly is
held to the mast jacket by a lock plate, and a
steering housing assembly is positioned over
the upper steering shaft and secured to the
support by two pivot pins. Two lock shoes are
pinned to the housing assembly and engage a
pin in the support assembly . When the release
lever is pulled up and the lock shoes disengage
the support pin, the steering wheel is pushed
up by a spring compressed between the support
and housing assemblies .
REMOVAL
1 . Set
front
wheels
in
straight
ahead
position .
This can be done by driving the
vehicle a short distance on a flat surface.
Block wheels fore and aft so that vehicle
cannot move .
2. Mark relationship between companion
flange and splined ship shaft, and between
splined slip shaft and slip yoke assembly . (See
figure 1.)
Also mark relationship between
lower steering shaft yoke end (universal joint)
and steering gear input shaft .
3. Remove clamp bolt and nut attaching
STEERING COLUMN
LOWER STEERING SHAFT
(Refer to Figure 1)
The operation of the lock is the same as in
other GM vehicles . To start the vehicle, you
insert the key in the lock, turn the unit
clockwise to "start" and let the switch return
to the "on" position .
The "off", "lock" and
"accessory" positions are also the same as in
other GM vehicles. When you engage the shift
lever in "park" and lock the ignition, the
steering wheel locks and the gearshift locks .
The function-locking column may be easily
diassembled and reassambled. If the column is
serviced,
it
is
important
that
only
the
specified screws, bolts and nuts be used as
designated .
Equally as important is correct
torque of bolts and nuts .
When the column is removed, special care
must be taken in handling this assembly. Only
the specified wheel puller should be used.
When the column is removed from the vehicle,
such actions as a sharp blow on the end of the
steering shaft or shift lever, leaning on the
column assembly, or dropping of the assembly
could shear or loosen the plastic fasteners that
maintain column rigidity .
It is, therefore,
important that the removal and installation
and the disassembly and reassembly procedures
be carefully followed
when
servicing the
assembly .
lower steering shaft to steering column.
4. Remove bolt and nut securing lower
steering shaft to steering gear input shaft.
5. Compress . splined shaft into steering slip
yoke
assembly,
and
carefully
lift
lower
steering shaft out of vehicle .
DISASSEMBLY
With lower steering shaft assembly on a
bench, separate the splined shaft from the slip
yoke assembly.
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