Steering Wheel & Steering Column: Other Chevrolet Suburban X

Tools Required

J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

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1. Install the J 42640 in the steering column lower access hole. Important: Mark the relationship of the intermediate shaft components in order to assure proper installation.
2. Mark the relationships of the following components: Mark the relationship of the bolt and clamp at both ends of the upper intermediate shaft. Mark the relationship of the upper intermediate shaft to the lower intermediate shaft.
3. Remove the nut and bolt from the lower shaft to upper shaft connection.
4. Remove the nut and bolt (1) from the upper shaft (2) to steering column connection.
5. Slide the intermediate shaft down, out of the steering column connection.
6. Remove the accelerator pedal position sensor. Refer to «ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR»(ref-159266-S05055698092003112100000) in Engine Controls.
7. Slide the upper intermediate shaft towards the instrument panel, out of the lower intermediate shaft, and remove the shaft from the vehicle.

J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

J 42759 Ignition Switch Connector Release Tool

J 41396 Park Lock Cable Pliers

J 1859-A Steering Wheel Puller

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1. Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to «ZONE 3»(ref-160344-S14703505912004021000000) in SIR.
2. Remove the inflator module. Refer to «HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT»(ref-180665-S05935913262005072800000) in SIR.
3. Remove the horn switch. Refer to «HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT»(ref-180665-S05935913262005072800000) .
4. Make an alignment mark in order to note the relationship of the steering wheel to the steering shaft.
5. Remove the steering wheel nut.
6. Remove the steering wheel, using J 1859-A .

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1. Align the marks made during the removal of the steering shaft and the steering wheel.
2. Install the steering wheel onto the steering shaft. NOTE: Refer to «FASTENER NOTICE»(ref-175132-S17785009232005041500000) in Cautions and Notices.
3. Install the steering wheel nut to the steering shaft. Tighten Tighten the nut to 40 N.m (29 lb ft).
4. Install the horn switch. Refer to «HORN SWITCH REPLACEMENT»(ref-180665-S05935913262005072800000) .
5. Install the inflator module. Refer to «REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (DRIVER-SIDE)»(ref-160344-S23804476362004021000000) in SIR.
6. Enable the SIR system. Refer to «ZONE 3»(ref-160344-S14703505912004021000000) in SIR.

Repair Procedure

1. Remove the steering wheel. Refer to «STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT»(ref-180665-S42013336222005072800000) .
2. Wash the wood section of the wheel with wax and grease remover.
3. Mask off the non-wood area of the steering wheel. Important: Do NOT sand through the clear.
4. Sand with 400 grit sand paper first. Finish sanding with 600 grit.
5. Wash the wood section of the wheel again with wax and grease remover.
6. Clear coat the steering wheel. Refer to the 2003 GM Approved Refinish Materials Booklet, GM 4901 M-D-2003 (English) or M-D-F2003 (French).
7. Install the steering wheel. Refer to «STEERING WHEEL REPLACEMENT»(ref-180665-S42013336222005072800000) .

1. J 23653-SIR Steering Column Lock Plate Compressor
2. J 42137 Steering Column Lock Plate Compressor Adapter

1. J 23653-SIR Steering Column Lock Plate Compressor
2. J 42137 Steering Column Lock Plate Compressor Adapter

J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin

J 21854-01 Pivot Pin Remover

J 21854-01 Pivot Pin Remover

Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Centering

Note. The new SIR coil assembly will be centered. Improper alignment of the SIR coil assembly may damage the unit, causing an inflatable restraint malfunction.

Important: If double wire harness strap is installed onto the wire harness assembly and column, you must reuse the holder for the wire straps during installation.

Remove the wire harness strap(s) where necessary.

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1. Verify the following conditions before centering the SIR coil: The wheels on the vehicle are straight ahead. The block tooth (1) of the steering shaft assembly is in the 12 o'clock position. The ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
2. If the front (5) of the SIR coil has a centering window (4), and the back side (2) includes a spring service lock (1), perform the following steps: Hold the SIR coil with the face up. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counterclockwise, until the centering window appears yellow and both arrows (3) line up. Release spring service lock between the locking tab. The SIR coil is now centered. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.
3. If the front (4) of the SIR coil has a centering window (3), and the back side (1) includes NO spring service lock, perform the following steps: Hold the SIR coil with the face up. Rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counterclockwise until the centering window appears yellow and both arrows (2) line up. This is the CENTER position. While holding the coil hub in the CENTER position, align the SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.
4. If the front side (3) of the SIR coil has NO centering window, but the back side (2) includes a spring service lock (1), perform the following steps: Hold the SIR coil with the back side up. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub in the direction of the arrow (4) until the coil ribbon stops. Still pressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub in the opposite direction 2 1/2 revolutions. Release the spring service lock between locking tabs. The SIR coil is now centered. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.
5. For the front side (2) of the SIR coil has NO centering window, and the back side (1) includes NO spring service lock, perform the following steps: Hold the SIR coil with the face up. Rotate the coil hub in the direction of the arrow until the coil ribbon stops. Rotate the coil hub, slowly, counterclockwise, for 2 1/2 revolutions. This is the CENTER position. While maintaining the coil hub in the CENTER position, align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.
6. If double wire harness strap is installed onto the wire harness assembly and column, you must route the wires up against the steering column. One wire harness strap will surround one lead from the coil to the steering column. The other wire harness strap will surround all leads to the steering column.

Vehicle Steering

The steering wheel is the first link between the driver and the vehicle. The steering wheel is fastened to a steering shaft within the column. At the lower end of the column, the intermediate shaft connects the column to the steering gear.

Vehicle Security on Some Vehicle Models

Theft deterrent components are mounted and designed into the steering column. The following components allow the column to be locked in order to minimize theft

1. The ignition switch
2. The manual transmission steering column lock
3. The ignition cylinder

Driver Convenience

The steering wheel and column may also have driver controls attached for convenience and comfort. The following controls may be mounted on or near the steering wheel or column.

1. The turn signal switch
2. The hazard switch
3. The headlamp dimmer switch
4. The wiper/washer switch
5. The horn pad/cruise control switch
6. The redundant radio/entertainment system controls
7. The tilt or tilt/telescoping functions
8. The navigation/OnStar® features
9. The HVAC controls

Driver Safety

The energy-absorbing steering column compresses in the event of a front-end collision, which reduces the chance of injury to the driver. The mounting capsules break away from the mounting bracket in the event of an accident.

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