Steering Column - "c" & "k" Series GMC Cab & Chassis S15

DESCRIPTION

Collapsible steering columns with internal shift linkage and locking features are used. Tilt steering wheel features are available on all models.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

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

Scheme 1

1. Place transmission in Neutral and disconnect linkage rods. Turn shift lever (inside vehicle) through 2-3 shift arc. Drag measured at shift knob must be no more than 2.0 lbs. (.9 N).
2. If drag is more than 2.0 lbs. (.9 N), readjust column. Loosen 3 clamping screws. Install a.005" (.127 mm) feeler gauge between space and either of shift levers. (Scheme 1) (Scheme 1): Adjusting Lower Bearing
3. Slide clamping screws until system is loose. Slide screws in opposite direction until a definite drag is felt at 1st-Reverse shift lever. Tighten clamping screws and remove feeler gauge.

ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Removal ("C" & "K" Series)

1. Loosen front of dash mounting plates. Disconnect battery negative cable. Remove steering wheel. Remove nuts and washers securing flanged end of steering shaft to flexible coupling.
2. Disconnect transmission control linkage from column shift tube levers. Disconnect steering column harness and wiring. Remove floor pan trim cover screws and remove cover.
3. Remove screws securing 2 halves of floor pan cover, then remove screws securing halves and seal to floor pan and remove covers. Remove transmission indicator cable (if equipped).
4. Move front seat as far back as possible to provide maximum working clearance. Remove 2 column bracket-to-instrument panel nuts and carefully remove column from vehicle, rotating column so that shift levers will clear hole in floor pan.

Installation

1. Assemble upper and lower dash covers to seal. Attach bracket to steering column. Tighten 4 retaining bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 N.m). NOTE: If flexible joint coupling was removed from steering gear shaft, it must be installed before steering column is installed.
2. Position steering column in vehicle. Assemble flange and flexible coupling. Install lock washers and nuts. Tighten nuts. Loosely install 2 bracket nuts to dash studs.
3. Install lower clamp (engine side of firewall) and tighten nuts to 18 ft. lbs. (24 N.m). Install seal, upper and lower floor pan covers to cab side of firewall. Tighten 2 upper bracket nuts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 N.m).
4. Remove plastic spacers from flexible coupling. Install automatic transmission indicator cable (if equipped).
5. Install instrument panel trim cover. Connect transmission control linkage. Install steering wheel. Connect battery negative cable.

"C" & "K" Series Steering Column Installation. Scheme 2

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

1. Remove 4 dash panel bracket-to-column screws and place bracket in safe place to prevent damage to mounting capsules. Place column in a vise using both weld nuts of set "A" or "B". (Scheme 3) CAUTION: Ensure column is clamped correctly to avoid damage. (Scheme 3): Correct Installation of Steering Column in Vise
2. Remove directional signal switch, lock cylinder, and ignition switch. Drive out upper shift lever pivot pin and remove shift lever on column shift models.
3. Remove upper bearing thrust washer. Remove 4 screws attaching directional signal and ignition lock housing to column and remove housing assembly. Remove thrust cap from lower side of housing.
4. Lift ignition switch actuating rod and rack assembly, rack preload spring, and shaft lock bolt and spring assembly out of housing. Remove shift lever detent plate (shift gate).
5. Remove ignition switch actuator sector through lock cylinder hole by pushing firmly on block tooth of sector with punch. Remove gearshift lever housing and shroud from jacket assembly. Remove shift lever spring from gearshift lever housing
6. On floor shift models, remove transmission control lock tube housing and shroud. Remove lock tube spring. On all models, pull steering shaft from lower end of jacket assembly.
7. Remove 2 screws holding back-up switch or neutral start switch to column and remove switch. Remove lower bearing retainer clip. (Scheme 4) (Scheme 4): Removing Lower Bearing Retaining Clip
8. On models with A/T or floor shift, remove lower bearing retainer, bearing adapter assembly, shift tube thrust spring and washer.
9. Lower bearing may be removed from adapter by light pressure on bearing outer race. Slide out shift tube assembly. On vehicles with M/T and column shift, remove lower bearing adapter, bearing and 1st-Reverse shift lever.
10. Lower bearing may be removed from adapter by light pressure on bearing outer race. Remove 3 screws from bearing at lower end and slide out shift tube assembly.
11. On all models with column shift, remove gearshift housing lower bearing from upper end of column.

Scheme 5

1. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all friction surfaces. Install sector into directional signal and lock cylinder housing. Install sector in lock cylinder hole over sector shaft with tang end to outside of hole.
2. Press sector over shaft with blunt tool. Install shift lever detent plate onto housing. Insert rack preload spring into housing from bottom side. Long section should be toward handwheel and hook onto edge of housing.
3. Assemble locking bolt onto crossover arm on rack. Insert rack and lock bolt assembly into housing from bottom with teeth up (toward handwheel) and toward center line of column.
4. Align first tooth on sector with last tooth on rack; if aligned properly, block teeth will line up when rack assembly is pushed in completely.
5. Install thrust cup on bottom hub of housing. Install gearshift housing lower bearing from very end of jacket, while aligning indentations in bearing with projections on jacket. CAUTION: If bearing is not properly installed, it will not rest on all stops provided.
6. Install shift lever spring into gearshift lever (or lock tube) housing. Install housing and shroud assemblies onto upper end of mast jacket. Rotate housing to verify that it is seated in bearing.
7. With shift lever housing in place, install directional signal and lock cylinder housing onto jacket. Gearshift housing should be in "P" position and rack pulled downward. Ensure directional signal housing is seated on jacket. Install and tighten 4 screws. (Scheme 5): Exploded View of Standard Steering Column Assembly "C" and "K" series with column shift
8. Press lower bearing into adapter assembly. Insert shift tube assembly into lower end of jacket and rotate until upper shift tube key slides into housing keyway.
9. On models with A/T and floor shift, assemble spring, lower bearing and adapter assembly into bottom of jacket. Holding adapter in place, install lower bearing reinforcement and retainer clip. Ensure clip snaps into jacket and reinforcement slots.
10. On vehicles with M/T and column shift, loosely attach 3 screws in jacket and shift tube bearing. Assemble 1st-Reverse shift lever and lower bearing and adapter assembly into bottom of jacket.
11. Holding adapter in place, install bearing reinforcement and retaining clip. Ensure clip snaps into jacket and reinforcement slots. Adjust lower bearing. See «ADJUSTMENTS»(/gmc/cab-chassis-s15/1985-1988/remont/steering-column/#steering-column-c-k-series) in this article.
12. On all models, install neutral safety or back-up switch. Slide steering shaft into column and install upper bearing thrust washer.
13. Install turn signal switch, lock cylinder and ignition switch. Install shift lever and pivot pin.

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

1. Remove 4 dash panel bracket-to-column screws. Set bracket aside to protect mounting capsules. Place column in a vise using both weld nuts of set "A" and "B". (Scheme 3) CAUTION: DO NOT place column in vise by clamping onto only one nut or by clamping onto sides of nut not indicated by arrows.
2. Remove directional signal switch, lock cylinder, and ignition switch. Remove tilt release lever, then drive out shift lever pivot pin and remove shift lever and housing. Remove 3 directional signal housing screws and remove housing.
3. Install tilt release lever and place column in fully upward position. Remove tilt lever spring retainer, spring and guide.
4. Insert Phillips screwdriver into slot at tilt spring and retainer, press down and in approximately 3/16", rotate 1/8" turn counterclockwise until retainer ears align with grooves in housing then remove retainer, spring, and guide. (Scheme 6) (Scheme 6): Removing Tilt Lever Spring Retainer
5. Remove pot joint-to-steering shaft clamp bolt, then remove intermediate shaft and pot joint assembly. Push upper steering shaft in enough to remove steering shaft upper bearing inner race and seat.
6. Pry off lower bearing retainer clip, then remove bearing reinforcement, bearing and bearing adapter assembly from lower end of mast jacket. Remove upper bearing housing pivot pins using Pin Remover (J-21854-1). (Scheme 7) (Scheme 7): Removing Bearing Housing Pivot Pins Tilt column models only are shown
7. With tilt release lever installed, disengage lock shoes. Remove bearing housing by pulling upward to extend rack fully down, then move housing to left to disengage ignition switch race from actuator rod.
8. Remove steering shaft assembly from upper end of column. Remove centering spheres and anti-lash spring to disassemble steering shaft. Remove transmission indicator wire, if equipped.
9. Remove steering shaft bearing housing support-to-gearshift housing screws, then remove bearing housing support. Remove ignition switch actuator rod. Use a screwdriver to remove shift tube retaining ring, then remove thrust washer.
10. Install Puller (J-23072) to lock plate, then turn center screws of puller clockwise to force shift tube from housing. (Scheme 8) Screws must be fully engaged in lock plate. (Scheme 8): Removing Shift Tube
11. Remove shift tube (transmission control lock tube on floor shift models) from lower end of mast jacket. Remove puller from lock plate. CAUTION: Guide lower end of shift tube through slotted opening in mast jacket. If tube is allowed to interfere with jacket, damage may result.
12. Remove housing support lock plate by sliding out of jacket notches, then tipping it down toward housing hub at 12 o'clock position and sliding it under jacket opening. Remove wave washer.
13. Remove shift lever housing from mast jacket (column shift models) or transmission control lock tube housing (floor shift models). Wind up shift lever spring with pliers and pull out. Remove spring plunger on floor shift models.
14. On all columns, remove tilt lever opening shield. Remove lock bolt spring retaining screw. Turn spring clockwise to remove it from bolt.
15. Remove sector drive shaft snap ring, then use a small punch to lightly tap drive shaft from sector. Remove drive shaft, sector and lock bolt. Remove rack and rack spring.
16. Using Pin Remover (J-22635), remove tilt release lever pin. Remove lever and release lever spring. Hold lock shoes inward and wedge a block between top of shoes (over slots) and bearing housing to relieve load on release lever.
17. Remove lock shoe retaining pin using a punch, then remove lock shoes and springs. Remove bearings from housing only if replacement is necessary.

Scheme 9

1. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease or equivalent to all friction surfaces. If bearing was not disassembled, go to step 5). To reassemble bearing housing, press bearings into housing (if removed).
2. Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes, and shoe pin in housing. Use a.180" (4.6 mm) diameter rod to line up shoes for pin installation. Install shoe release lever, spring and pin.
3. If necessary to relieve load on release lever, hold shoes inward and wedge a block between top of shoes (over slots) and bearing housing. Install sector drive shaft into housing and lightly tap sector onto shaft far enough to allow installation of snap ring. Install snap ring.
4. Install lock bolt and engage it with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring while noting that block tooth on rack should engage block tooth on sector. Install external tilt release lever. Install lock bolt spring and retaining screw and tighten. Tighten to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m).
5. Wind up shift lever spring with pliers and push into housing. On floor shift models, install plunger and slide gearshift lever housing onto mast jacket. On all models, install bearing support lock plate wave washer.
6. Install lock plate and work it into notches by tipping plate toward hub at 12 o'clock position and sliding under jacket opening. Slide lock plate into notches in jacket.
7. Install shift tube into lower end of mast jacket, then align keyway of tube with key in shift lever housing. Install wobble plate end of Puller (J-23073-01) into upper end of shift tube (far enough to reach enlarged portion of tube).
8. Install adapter over end of puller and seat against lock plate. Install nut on end of puller and pull shift tube into housing. CAUTION: DO NOT push or tap on end of shift tube, and ensure shift tube lever is aligned with slotted opening at lower end of mast jacket or damage may result.
9. Pull shift lever housing up far enough to compress wave washer, then install bearing support thrust washer and retaining ring. Install bearing support while ensuring "V" notch in support is in line with "V" in jacket.
10. Install attaching screws through support and into lock plate, then tighten to 60 INCH lbs. (6.8 N.m). Align lower bearing adapter with notches in jacket and push adapter into lower end of mast jacket. Install lower bearing, bearing reinforcement and retaining clip. NOTE: Clip must be aligned with slots in reinforcement, jacket and adapter.
11. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring into upper shaft. Install lower shaft from same side of spheres that spring ends protrude. Install steering shaft assembly into shift tube from upper end and carefully guide shaft through shift tube and bearing.
12. Install ignition switch actuator rod through shift lever housing and insert into slot in bearing support. Extend rack downward from bearing housing, then assemble bearing housing over steering shaft and engage rack over end of actuator rod.
13. Install tilt release lever, then hold lock shoes in disengaged position and position bearing housing over steering shaft until pivot pin holes line up. Install pivot pins. (Scheme 9): Exploded View of Tilt Wheel Steering Column "C" & "K" Series with Column Shift
14. Place bearing housing in fully upward position. Install tilt lever spring guide, spring and spring retainer. Using a Phillips screwdriver, push retainer in and turn clockwise to engage in housing. Install upper bearing inner race and seat, then install tilt lever opening shield.
15. Remove tilt release lever, then install directional signal housing and tighten screws to 45 INCH lbs. (5 N.m). Install tilt release lever and shift lever, then drive shift lever pin in.
16. Install lock cylinder, directional signal switch, and ignition switch. Install intermediate shaft assembly to upper shaft after aligning groove across upper end of pot joint with flat on steering shaft.
17. Install and tighten clamp while noting that clamp bolt must pass through shaft undercut. Install neutral safety switch or back-up switch.
18. Install dash panel bracket-to-column attaching screws and tighten to 22 ft. lbs. (30 N.m). Slotted openings in column bracket must face upper end of steering column.

Reworked Shift Tube Removal Tube Do not hammer on shift tube during removal. Scheme 10

Installing Shift Pin Tube Keyway in tube must be aligned with key in shift lever housing. Scheme 11

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• ADJUSTMENTS