Steering Column - Astro, Safari & "s" Series GMC S15 Pickup

DESCRIPTION

Collapsible steering columns with internal shift linkage and function 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.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Removal

1. Disconnect battery negative cable and remove steering wheel. In engine compartment, remove bolt and nut holding intermediate shaft to bottom of steering column. Remove clamp bolt at steering gear. Remove intermediate shaft.
2. Remove toe plate bolts. Unplug ignition switch connector and any other wiring. Remove bolt through upper edge of column (under instrument panel). Remove mounting nuts, lower column and remove from vehicle.

Installation

1. Place column in vehicle. Install column nuts loosely. Install and tighten toe plate bolts (starting with bolts toward center of vehicle). Tighten column nuts. Connect wiring. Position intermediate shaft on steering gear and tighten pinch bolt to 35-45 ft. lbs. (48-60 N.m).
2. Lock steering shaft and wheels in straight-ahead position. Connect intermediate shaft joint to lower end of steering column. Install clamp bolt and tighten nut. Install steering wheel. Connect battery negative cable.

Disassembly

1. Remove column from vehicle and mount in vise or Holding Fixture (J-23074). Use screwdriver to pry out shaft lock cover. Depress lock plate using Plate Depressor (J-23653). Remove retaining ring. Remove lock plate, canceling cam and spring.
2. Remove screw and turn signal switch arm. Remove 3 screws and wire protector, then switch assembly. Insert key and turn lock to "RUN" position. Remove lock retaining screw from top, then pull cylinder out of side. Remove ignition and dimmer switches.
3. Remove thrust washer and 4 Allen screws. Remove sector from housing. Pull off housing. Remove wave washer, lever and spring from key release. Remove 3 screws and plate from bottom of housing.
4. Remove cap, switch pivot pin and switch. If equipped with bearing retainer, remove retainer, bushing, horn contact and bearing. If no retainer, housing must be replaced to replace bearing.
5. Remove spring and bolt assembly, spring thrust washer, rack actuator and rack spring. Remove shift lever bowl and shroud. Remove shift bowl lower bearing.
6. Remove back-up light switch. Remove retaining ring from top of shaft. Remove retainer clip at bottom of column. Remove retainer, bearing, spring, shift column (if equipped) and steering shaft.

Exploded View of Standard Steering Column. Scheme 1

Reassembly

1. Assemble steering shaft and shift tube. Install back-up light switch. Position gear shift bowl assembly. Assemble housing and tap sector into place with punch. On key release column, install lever, spring and wave washer.
2. Assemble rack so first rack tooth engages between first and second tooth of sector. On key release column, move ignition switch slider to "ACC" position. On all others, move to "ACC", then back 2 positions.
3. Place actuator rod in slider hole and install switch. Install dimmer switch and depress slightly to insert 3/32" drill. Force switch up and tighten screw and nut. Install ignition lock. To complete reassembly, reverse disassembly procedure.

Scheme 2

1. Remove steering wheel and remove column from vehicle. Clamp column in Holding Fixture (J-23074). Pry out shaft lock plate cover with screwdriver. Depress lock plate using Plate Depressor (J-23653). Remove retaining ring, shaft lock plate, canceling cam and spring.
2. Remove screw, signal switch arm, 3 screws and wire protector. Remove signal switch. Insert key and turn lock to "RUN" position. Remove lock retaining screw and pull out lock cylinder. Remove 3 screws and tap out pivot pin with punch.
3. Remove spring, pivot/switch, lever, actuator and column cover. Reinstall lever and move column to fully upward position. Remove tilt spring retainer by pressing in on and turning retainer with screwdriver. (Scheme 2) Remove pivot pin with Puller (J-21854). (Scheme 2): Removing Tilt Lever Spring Retainer
4. Remove housing by pulling upward on tilt lever. Pull housing until it stops. Move housing to right to disengage rack from actuator. Remove tilt lever and all parts from top of column.
5. Remove steering column shaft from housing. Remove ignition, dimmer and backup light switches from column. Remove screws, support, retaining rings, thrust washer, lock plate and wave washer.
6. Remove gearshift bowl and shroud. At bottom of column, remove clip, retainer, bearing and spring. Remove gear shift tube assembly with Puller (J-23072). (Scheme 3)

Removing Shift Tube Screws must be fully engaged in lock plate. Scheme 3

1. To assemble, reverse disassembly procedure. When installing ignition switch, move slider to "ACC" position (non-key release) or to "OFF/LOCK" position.
2. Position rod and install switch. Position dimmer switch and depress slightly to insert 3/32" (2.4 mm) drill. Force switch up and tighten screw and nut. Reassemble housing.
3. While holding up on lever to disengage lock shoes, install housing over column. Move rack downward and hold. Tip housing to left until rack engages pin on ignition switch actuator rod.
4. Push housing down until pivot pin holes are in alignment. To complete reassembly, reverse disassembly procedure.

Exploded View of Tilt Steering Column. Scheme 4

Exploded View of Tilt Steering Column Lower Assembly. Scheme 5

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES