Steering Column Buick Riviera VII

DESCRIPTION

Steering columns are either floor shift or column shift. Construction and maintenance of both columns is the same except for addition of shift lever, tube and related components on column shift models. Column shift and floor shift steering columns are each available in 3 configurations: fixed column, tilt column and tilt/telescopic column.

Steering column design is basically the same for all columns with the main differences involving the addition of column shifters and tilt or tilt/telescopic mechanisms. Steering columns use an integral ignition lock switch. This lock secures the steering wheel and shift linkage (column shift).

Columns have a 2-piece telescoping gear shift tube (column shift), interconnected by plastic inserts and shear pins, and a 2-piece telescoping steering shaft with upper and lower sections connected by plastic collars and pins.

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in the GENERAL TROUBLE SHOOTING section.

Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. On column shift models, disconnect transmission linkage rod from lever on steering column.
2. Remove dust cover from steering shaft coupler at steering gear. Remove shaft coupler clamp bolt. Mark steering shaft coupler and steering gear shaft for reassembly reference.
3. Remove steering column floor plate mounting bolts. Remove lower trim panel. Unplug electrical connectors from steering column. Remove steering column bracket mounting nuts. Remove steering column.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Check for proper operation. Ensure there is at least 1/16-1/8" (1.6-3.2 mm) clearance between steering shaft and steering gear flanges.

Preparation

Steering column removal is not necessary if the lock plate cover, lockplate, steering shaft snap ring, canceling cam, turn signal switch, upper bearing preload spring or lock cylinder are to be serviced. For the remaining components, steering column must be removed. Disassembly procedure for the tilt/telescopic steering column is similar to the tilt steering column.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove steering column. Remove horn pad, steering wheel and combination switch. See «STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES»(/buick/riviera/vii-1985-1993/remont/steering-column-switches/#steering-column-switches) article in the STEERING section.
2. Remove lock plate cover. Remove lock plate snap ring using Spring Compressor (J-23653). (Scheme 1) Remove lock plate, horn cam and spring.
3. Remove combination switch. Remove key buzzer switch. Remove ignition lock retaining screw. Remove ignition lock. Remove housing assembly.
4. Remove ignition switch and dimmer switch. Remove steering shaft retaining ring. Remove steering shaft through lower end of column.

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

1. Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove steering column from vehicle. See «STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES»(/buick/riviera/vii-1985-1993/remont/steering-column-switches/#steering-column-switches) article in the STEERING section. Remove tilt lever.
2. Remove hazard warning knob and ignition key light. Remove wiper switch knob. Remove wiper switch tube mounting screws. Remove wiper switch tube. Rotate shaft fully clockwise.
3. Remove shaft by pulling straight out on shaft. Carefully remove plastic cover from lock plate. Using Compressor (J-23653), remove lock plate retaining ring from shaft. (Scheme 1)
4. Remove lock plate, canceling cam and upper bearing spring. Remove turn signal switch and actuator arm. Place ignition lock cylinder in "LOCK" position.
5. Using a thin screwdriver, depress ignition lock cylinder tab retainer. (Scheme 2) Remove ignition lock cylinder. Remove housing cover from column.
6. Place column in fully up position. Remove tilt spring retainer and spring. (Scheme 3) Remove dimmer switch. Remove steering shaft inner race seat and race. Remove ignition switch and back-up light switch.
7. Using Pivot Pin Remover (J-21854-1), remove pivot pins. (Scheme 4) Pull tilt lever to unlock shoes. Remove housing. Remove actuator rods.
8. Remove lower coupling roll pin. Remove steering shaft assembly from upper end. Remove support from lock plate. Remove shift tube retaining ring.
9. Remove thrust washer. Using screwdriver, disengage plastic shift tube from lower end of jacket. Using Puller (J-23072), pull shift tube from bowl.
10. Inserting bushing on end of tool in shift tube, force bowl from shift tube. Remove shift tube through lower end. Remove jacket mounting plate and wave washer. Remove bowl from jacket.

1. Check for separation of the 2 break-away capsules. If capsules have moved more than 1/16" (1.6 mm), some column collapse may have occurred. Check for damaged steering shaft components.
2. Inspect jacket section of column for looseness, bends, collapsed mesh or bellows section. Check for mast jacket collapse by measuring for proper dimensions. (Scheme 5)
3. On column shift models, check operation of shift lever. If lever can be moved to "PARK" position without raising lever, upper shift tube plastic bearing is broken.
4. Inspect intermediate and steering column shafts for sheared plastic pins. If the shafts rattle when tapped lightly from side, pins are sheared. Replace any collapsed or damaged parts.

Scheme 5

STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSE MEASUREMENTS (STANDARD COLUMN) (1)

STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSE MEASUREMENTS (TILT COLUMN) (1)

Note. In the STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSE MEASUREMENTS table you are referred to the letter designation of body series. See MODEL IDENTIFICATION table for identification.

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 11

1. Install key release lever and spring into shroud. Install retainer plate. Using an arbor press, install bearings into housing (if removed). Using a.180" (4.5 mm) pin to align shoes, install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin into housing. Relieve tension on release lever.
2. Install spring, release lever, and pin into bearing housing. Install drive shaft into housing. Lightly tap sector onto shaft, far enough to bottom on drive shaft. Install lock bolt.
3. Engage lock bolt with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack should engage block tooth on sector. Install tilt release lever. Install lock bolt spring, and spring retaining screw. Tighten screw to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m).
4. On all models, slide bowl onto jacket. Position wave washer and mounting plate in place.
5. Work jacket mounting plate into notches in jacket by tipping jacket mounting plate toward bowl hub at 12 o'clock position and under jacket opening. Slide jacket mounting plate into notches in jacket.
6. Install shift tube into lower end of jacket. Align key in tube with keyway in bowl. Using Installer (J-23073), pull shift tube into bowl. (Scheme 6) Do not tap on end of shift tube.
7. Pulling up bowl to compress wave washer, install thrust washer and retaining ring. Slide dimmer switch actuator rod through hole in support. Aligning "U" in support with "U" notch in jacket, install support.
8. Insert 4 screws through support into lock plate. Tighten screws to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Drive lower bearing approximately 3/16" into tube. Slide ignition actuator rod between bowl and jacket.
9. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring into upper steering shaft. Install lower steering shaft from same side of spheres that ends protrude. Ensure that master serration of upper shaft aligns with master serration of lower shaft.
10. Place shift bowl in "PARK" position. Holding lock shoes in disengaged position, install bearing housing over steering shaft until pivot pin holes align with holes in support. Ensure rack has engaged ignition switch actuator rod.
11. Install pivot pins. Use hand pressure to prevent damaging support pivot holes. Using small hammer and drift, tap in pins to complete installation. Place housing in the fully up position.
12. Install guide and peg onto support. Install tilt spring and spring retainer. Using a screwdriver turn retainer counterclockwise to engage. Install inner bearing race and seat. Install tilt lever opening shield in housing.
13. Remove tilt release lever. Install housing cover. Seat screw at 12 o'clock position. Install and tighten 3 screws to 100 INCH lbs. (11 N.m). Install buzzer/chime switch to spring clip with spring bowed away from switch on side opposite contact.
14. Push switch and spring into hole in cover with contacts toward lock cylinder. Install key light (if equipped). Install turn signal switch. Feed wires and connector through cover, bearing housing and shift bowl.
15. Install hazard warning knob. Install canceling cam, cam spring and shaft lock plate. Using Compressor (J-23653) to depress lock plate, install new retaining ring.
16. Reinstall tilt release lever and turn signal switch lever. Install upper shift lever. Drive in pivot pin. Position shaft lock cover over lock. Snap shaft lock cover into position by pressing on outer edges.
17. To install ignition lock, turn key to "LOCK" position. Remove key. Buzzer operating lever should retract into cylinder. Slide ignition switch to "LOCK" position (second detent from bottom).
18. Insert cylinder into housing far enough to contact drive shaft. Press inward while moving ignition switch actuator rod up and down to align parts. When properly aligned, cylinder will move in and spring loaded retainer will snap into place locking the cylinder into housing.
19. Push ignition switch lightly up column, toward lock housing, to remove lash in actuator rod. Tighten mounting screws to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). Install wire protector. Seat actuator rod on dimmer switch.
20. Depress dimmer switch until one 3/32" drill bit can be inserted into alignment hole. (Scheme 12) Reposition upper end of actuator rod in pocket of washer/wiper switch. With light upward pressure on switch to remove lash, install and tighten 2 screws on switch. Remove drill bit.
21. Ensure that switch clicks as lever is lifted. Check for proper operation of ignition lock, wiper/washer switch, dimmer switch and steering mechanism.

Scheme 12

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES
• MODEL IDENTIFICATION