Chevrolet 1977 light duty truck Service Manual page 242

Inspection is called for in all cases where dam age is
evident or w henever the vehicle is being repaired due to
a front end collision. W henever a force has been exerted
on the steering wheel
components, inspection should also be made. If dam age
is evident, the affected parts must be replaced.
The inspection procedure for the various steering
column com ponents on all C and K Series Trucks is as
follows:
Column Support B racket
D am a ge in this area will be indicated by separation
o f the m ounting capsules from the bracket. The bracket
will have moved forward toward the engine co m p art­
m ent and will usually result in collapsing o f the jacket
section o f the steering column.
Column Jac ke t
Inspect jacket section o f column for looseness, a n d /
or bends.
S h ifte r S h a ft
Separation o f the shifter shaft sections will be
internal and cannot be visually identified. Hold lower
end o f the "shifter sh aft" and move "s h ift lever" on
colum n through its ranges and up and down. If there is
little or no m ovem ent o f the "shifter shaft", the plastic
joints are sheared.
Steering S h a ft
If the steering shaft plastic pins have been sheared,
the shaft will rattle when struck lightly from the side and
some lash m ay be felt w hen rotating the steering wheel
while holding the rag joint. It should be noted that if the
steering shaft pins are sheared due to m inor collision the
vehicle can be safely steered; however, steering shaft
replacem ent is recommended.
Because of the differences in the steering column
Fig. 3B-63--Autom atic Transm ission Indicator
Connection-CK-Typical
or steering column, or its
Fig. 3B-64 -Steering Column to Dash Panel-C,K
Fig. 3B-65--Steering Columns to Dash Panel-G
types, be sure to refer to the set o f instructions below
which apply to the column being serviced.
C and K Columns
Removal
NOTE: Front o f dash mounting plates must be
loosened whenever the steering column is to be
lowered from the instrument panel.
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the steering wheel as outlined under
"Steering Wheel Removal".
3. Remove the nuts and washers securing the
flanged end o f the steering shaft to the flexible coupling.
4. Disconnect
from the column shift tube levers.
5. Disconnect the steering column harness at the
connector. Disconnect the neutral-start switch and back­
up lamp switch connectors if so equpped.
Typical
the transmission control
P
linkage