Steering Column GMC Sonoma Syclone

DESCRIPTION

All models use collapsible steering columns. All columns have integral ignition switch and locking device. Optional tilt wheel is available with both automatic and manual transmissions.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

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

Manual Transmission (Column Shift)

Place transmission in Neutral position. Disconnect transmission rods. Test rotational drag by turning 2-3 shift lever through shifting arc. (Scheme 1) Drag must not measure more than 2 lbs. (9 N). Loosen 3 clamping screws. Increase clearance by sliding clamping screws counterclockwise until first reverse lever is free of drag.

Decrease clearance by sliding clamping screws clockwise until slight drag is felt at first reverse shift lever. Install a .005 INCH (.13 mm) shim between space on either side of shift levers. Slide clamp screws counterclockwise until system is loose. Slide screws clockwise until drag is felt in first reverse shift lever. Tighten clamping screws. Remove shim. Install transmission rods.

Scheme 1

Note. For removal and installation procedures of column mounted switches, see STEERING COLUMN article in the STEERING section.

Removal

Set front wheels in straight-ahead position. Mark pot joint to steering gear position. Mark rag joint to steering gear wormshaft position. Remove intermediate shaft bolt and pinch bolt. Remove intermediate shaft.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specifications. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at end of article.

Note. Although steering column removal and installation procedures cover all models, some procedures may not apply to all models.

1. Disconnect battery negative terminal. Disconnect transmission shift linkage from column shift tube levers. Mark position of pot joint to steering shaft. Remove pot joint bolt from steering shaft.
2. Remove steering column bracket nuts and screws. Remove bracket. Remove steering column seal. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) removal and installation. Disconnect wiring connectors at column harness.
3. Disconnect start/neutral switch and back-up light switch connectors (if equipped). Disconnect transmission indicator cable (if equipped). Rotate column allowing shift lever to clear dash opening. Remove steering column assembly.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and screws to specifications. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at end of article.

Removal & Installation

Disconnect battery negative terminal. Remove horn button. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove horn pad. Remove snap ring and steering wheel retaining nut. Remove horn lead assembly (if equipped). Mark steering wheel and shaft for reassembly reference. Using Steering Wheel Puller (J-1859-03), remove steering wheel.

Note. Turn signal switch must be in neutral position prior to installing steering wheel to prevent damage to canceling cam and switch assembly.

Before installing steering wheel, ensure turn signal switch is in neutral position. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten retaining nut to 30 ft. lbs. (41 N.m). Install snap ring.

Intermediate shaft. See INTERMEDIATE SHAFT removal and installation. Secure intermediate shaft in vise. Remove coupling-to-flange nuts and washers.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at end of article.

Remove Intermediate shaft. See INTERMEDIATE SHAFT removal and installation. Secure intermediate shaft in vise. Remove retainer clip, coupling and washer. Remove bearings and spring. Remove shaft from vise. Using a socket and press, removing pin. When pin is flush with bushing, complete pin removal using a bolt with a diameter smaller than pin. Remove clamp and seal.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Inspect all parts for wear and replace as needed. Pack bearing and coupling with high temperature grease. Pin must extend equal length from either side of shaft.

STANDARD COLUMN

Note. All columns are similar except for appearance of covers. Some models use ignition key light, while others do not. Disassembly and reassembly procedures cover all models. Some procedures may not apply to every steering column.

Disassembly

1. Remove dash panel bracket and screws from column. Secure lower end of steering column jacket in vise. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) removal and installation. Remove all column switches. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) article in the STEERING section. On column shift models, remove shift lever pivot pin and lever.
2. Remove upper bearing washer. Remove turn signal and ignition lock housing screws. Remove housing assembly. Remove bushing and retainer from lower end of housing. Remove ignition switch actuating rod, rack assembly, rack preload spring, shaft lock bolt and spring assembly from housing. Remove shift lever detent plate.
3. Using a blunt punch or screwdriver, remove ignition switch actuator sector through lock cylinder hole by firmly pushing on block tooth of sector. Remove gear shift lever housing and shroud from jacket assembly. On floor shift models, remove transmission control lock tube housing and shroud. Remove shift lever spring from gear shift lever housing. On floor shift models, remove lock tube spring.
4. Remove steering shaft from lower end of jacket. Disconnect back-up switch or neutral/safety switch. Remove lower bearing retaining clip. Remove lower bearing retainer, bearing adapter assembly, shift tube spring and washer. Using light pressure on bearing outer race, remove lower bearing from adapter. Slide out shift tube assembly.

Reassembly

1. Coat all friction surfaces with grease. Clamp column in vise so that both ends of column are accessible. Install ignition switch actuator sector into lock cylinder hole over sector shaft with tang end to outside of hole. Using a blunt instrument, press ignition switch actuator sector over shaft.
2. Install shift lever detent plate onto turn signal and ignition lock housing. Rack preload spring into housing from bottom with long section toward handwheel and hook onto edge of housing. Install locking bolt onto crossover arm on rack. Insert rack and lock bolt assembly into bottom of housing with teeth up and toward centerline of column. Align first tooth of rack and sector. Block teeth will line up when rack assembly is seated.
3. Install lower gear shift housing bushing and retainer. Insert lower housing bearing from end of jacket. Align bearing and jacket marks so that bearing rests on stops. Install shift lever spring into housing.
4. Install housing and shroud assemblies into upper end of mast jacket rotating housing until seated in bearing. Install turn signal and lock cylinder housing into jacket. Gear shift housing should be in Park position with rack pulled downward. Seat turn signal housing and install 4 screws. Install lower bearing into adapter assembly.
5. Install shift tube assembly into lower end of jacket. Rotate until upper shift tube key seats into housing keyway. Install spring and lower bearing adapter assembly into bottom of jacket. Holding adapter in place, install lower bearing reinforcement and retainer clip. Snap clip into jacket and reinforcement into jacket slots.
6. Connect back-up light switch or neutral/safety switch. Install steering shaft into column. Install upper bearing washer. Install all column switches. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) article in the STEERING section. Install steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) removal and installation. On column shift models, install shift lever pivot pin and lever. Install dash panel bracket and screws on column. Remove steering column jacket from vise. Tighten bolts and screws to specifications. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) at end of article.

1. Remove dash panel bracket and screws from column. Secure lower end of steering column jacket in vise. Remove steering wheel. See «STEERING WHEEL»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) removal and installation. Remove all column switches. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) article in the STEERING section. Remove tilt release lever. Remove shift lever pivot pin and lever.
2. Remove housing cover screws and cover. Reinstall tilt lever release and place column in Up position. Using a screwdriver, turn retainer until aligned with groves in housing. Remove tilt lever spring retainer, spring and guide. Remove pot joint-to-steering shaft clamp bolt. Remove intermediate shaft and pot joint assembly.
3. Push in upper steering shaft and remove upper bearing inner race and seat. Remove lower bearing retainer clip. Remove lower bearing reinforcement, lower bearing and adapter assembly from lower end of mast jacket. Using Pivot Pin Remover (J-21854-01), remove upper bearing housing pivot pins. Disengage lock shoes with tilt release lever installed.
4. Remove bearing housing by pulling upward to extend rack fully downward. Rotate housing to left, disengaging ignition switch rack from actuator rod. Remove steering shaft assembly from upper end of column. Remove steering shaft by removing centering spheres and anti-lash spring. Remove transmission indicator wire (if equipped).
5. Remove bearing housing support-to-gear shift housing screws. Remove bearing housing support. Remove ignition switch actuator rod. Remove shift tube retaining ring and washer. NOTE: DO NOT allow shift tube to interfere with jacket or damage to shift tube and jacket could result. Guide shift tube carefully through lower end of slotted opening in jacket.
6. Install Shift Tube Remover (J-23072) into lock plate with threads tightly secured to lock plate. Rotate center screw clockwise forcing shift tube from housing. Remove shift tube from lower end of mast jacket. On floor shift models, remove transmission lock tube from lower end of mast jacket. Remove shift tube remover.
7. Remove lock plate and washer. Tip lock plate down toward housing hub and out of jacket notches. Slide lock plate under jacket opening. Remove shift lever housing from mast jacket. On floor shift models, remove transmission control lock tube housing.
8. Disassemble bearing housing. Remove tilt lever opening shield. Remove lock bolt spring. Remove retaining screws and rotate spring clockwise to remove from bolt. Remove snap ring from sector drive shaft. Using a small punch, remove drive shaft from sector by lightly tapping drive shaft.
9. Remove drive shaft, sector and lock bolt from bearing housing. Remove rack and pinion spring. Using Lock Shoe/Release Lever Pin Remover/Installer (J-22635), remove tilt release lever pin. Remove lever and spring. Relieve load on release lever by holding shoes inward and wedging block between top of shoes (over slots)and bearing housing.
10. Using Lock Shoe/Release Lever Pin Remover/Installer (J-22635), remove lock shoe retaining pin. Remove lock shoes and springs. Remove bearings from bearing housing only if bearing are to be replaced. Remove separator and balls from bearings. With bearing housing on work bench, use a pointed punch against back surface of race. Carefully hammer race out of housing until a puller can be used. Repeat for other race.

1. During reassembly, coat all friction surfaces with multipurpose grease. Clamp column in vise so that both ends of column are accessible. Install bearings in bearing housing (if removed).
2. Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin in bearing housing. Use Lock Shoe Installer (J-22635) or a .180" (4.6 mm) diameter rod to line up shoes for pin installation.
3. Install release lever, spring and pin in bearing housing. Install drive shaft in housing. Lightly tap sector onto drive shaft far enough to install snap ring. Install snap ring. Install lock bolt. Engage lock bolt with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack should engage block tooth on sector.
4. Install tilt release lever. Install lock bolt spring and spring retaining screw. Tighten to 35 INCH lbs. (4 N.m). Install shift lever spring into housing by winding spring up with pliers and pushing in. On floor shift models, install plunger and slide gear shift lever housing into mast jacket. NOTE: DO NOT push or tap on end of shift tube. Shift tube lever must be aligned with slotted opening at lower end of mast jacket to prevent damage to shift tube and mast jacket.
5. Install washer and lock plate. Slide lock plate into notches in jacket. Carefully install shift tube in lower end of jacket. Align key in tube with keyway in shift lever housing. Using Shift Tube Installer (J-23073-01), pull shift tube into housing. Do not push or tap on end of shift tube. Pull shift lever housing up and compress lock plate washer. Install bearing support washer and retaining ring.
6. Install bearing support by aligning notch in support with notch in jacket. Insert screws through support into lock plate. Tighten screws to 60 INCH lbs. (7 N.m). Align and install lower bearing adapter into lower end of jacket. Install lower bearing, bearing reinforcement and retaining clip. Ensure clip is aligned with slots in reinforcement, adapter and jacket. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring in upper steering shaft.
7. Install lower steering shaft from same side of spheres that spring ends protrude. Install steering shaft assembly into shift tube from upper end. Carefully guide shaft through shift tube and bearing. Install ignition switch actuator rod through shift lever housing. Insert rod into slot in bearing support. Extend rack downward from bearing housing. Assemble bearing housing over steering shaft. Engage rack over end of ignition switch actuator rod. Hold lock shoes in disengaged position with release lever installed.
8. Position access hole of bearing housing over steering shaft. Install pivot pins. Place bearing in Up position. Install tilt lever spring guide, spring and retainer. Using a screwdriver, push retainer in and turn clockwise to engage into housing. Install tilt lever opening shield. Remove tilt release lever. Install turn signal housing and retaining screws. Install tilt release lever and shift lever.
9. Install all column switches. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) article in the STEERING section. Remove column from vise. Align groove across upper end of pot joint with flat on steering shaft. Install pot joint and intermediate shaft assembly to upper shaft. Install clamp, bolt and nut. Clamp bolt must pass through shaft undercut. Install dash panel bracket and screws on column. Tighten bolts and screws to specifications. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) at end of article. Install steering column. See «STEERING COLUMN»(/gmc/sonoma-syclone/1991-1992/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) removal and installation.

Scheme 2

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• STEERING COLUMN