Steering Column GMC Value Van P2500

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.

"G" & "P" Series with M/T

Loosen clamp on steering shaft. Apply 50 lbs. (22.7 kg.) force to steering wheel end of shaft. Adjust clamp to obtain clearance of.46"-.54" (11.7-13.7 mm) for "G" series and 1.24"-1.28" (31.5-32.5 mm) for "P" series. see scheme 1and see scheme 2. Apply 50 lbs. (22.7 kg) of force to steering wheel end of shaft while adjusting. Apply 50 lbs. (22.7 kg) of force to steering wheel end of shaft while adjusting. Tighten clamp bolts.

Loosen adjusting ring attaching screws and clamp bolt. Rotate adjusting ring to give.005" (.127 mm) end play between adjusting ring and 1st-Reverse shift lever. Tighten attaching screws and clamp bolt. (Scheme 1) Rotate adjusting change clearance.

Adjusting Shift Tube for M/T ("G" & "P" Series). Scheme 1

"G" & "P" Series with A/T

Place shift tube lever in "N" or "D" position. Loosen adjusting ring clamp screws and rotate adjusting ring to obtain.33-.36" (8.4-9.1 mm) end play between shift tube lever and adjusting ring. Tighten adjusting ring clamp screws. Rotate adjusting ring to change clearance. (Scheme 2)

Adjusting Shift for A/T on "G" & "P" Series. Scheme 2

ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Removal ("G" & "P" Series)

1. Disconnect battery negative cable. On column shift models, disconnect shifter rods at lower end of column. On "G" series, remove steering shaft flange-to-flexible coupling bolts.
2. On "P" series, remove intermediate steering shaft upper universal pinch bolt and mark coupling-to-shaft relationship. On all models, remove column clamp screws on engine side of firewall. Slide cover and seal down on column.
3. From inside vehicle, remove screws from floor pan cover and slide cover and seal up column. Remove steering wheel, then reinstall retaining nut and washer to prevent dislocation of steering shaft.
4. Disconnect wiring harness. On models with standard column and A/T, disconnect tube for transmission indicator at instrument panel. On models with tilt column and A/T, disconnect single wire at fuse block and unclip it from parking brake bracket.
5. On all models, remove cap screws from column support bracket at dash panel. Carefully withdraw column assembly, rotating it so that shift levers clear hole in floor pan.

Installation ("G" Series)

1. Adjust column lower bearing preload. See ADJUSTMENTS in this article. Install plastic spacers onto flexible coupling alignment pins.
2. From inside vehicle, carefully insert lower end of column through floor pan opening, guiding steering shaft flange onto flexible coupling. Install and tighten flange-to-coupling bolts.
3. Locate index slot in column jacket with protrusion on clutch band brake pedal support. Loosely install column-to-dash bracket and screws. Push column down until steering shaft flange bottoms on plastic spacers on flexible coupling and tighten bracket screws to 22 ft. lbs. (30 N.m).
4. Remove plastic spacer from alignment pins. Check that flexible coupling-to-steering shaft flange clearance is .250-.325" (6-8 mm). If not within specifications, bracket screws must be loosened and column raised or lowered as required. Retighten screws.
5. Push floor pan seal to floor pan. Install and tighten screws. Connect directional signal switch wiring harness. On models with A/T, connect conductor tube for transmission indicator to instrument panel.
6. On all models, install steering wheel. Connect transmission linkage and battery negative cable.

Installation ("P" Series)

1. Adjust lower bearing preload to allow steering shaft end play. See «ADJUSTMENTS»(/gmc/value-van-p2500/1985-1987/remont/steering-column/#steering-column) in this article. Tighten shaft clamp on pot joint bolt.
2. Carefully insert lower end of column assembly into hole in floor pan. Guide steering shaft into universal yoke, lining up marks made at removal. Install yoke pinch bolt and tighten to 35 ft. lbs. (47 N.m). Pinch bolt must pass through shaft undercut.
3. Position and attach lower clamp mounting bracket to firewall. Position steering column protrusions against floor pan bracket while aligning protrusion on clutch and brake pedal support with index slot on column jacket. Install column-to-bracket clamp and tighten bolt. NOTE: DO NOT allow toe pan bracket to override protrusions on steering column jacket.
4. Position steering column-to-dash panel bracket. Install and tighten bolts. Install seal at floor pan, then install bracket screws and tighten. Install dash panel trim plate, if equipped. Connect transmission shift linkage on column shift models.
5. On all models, connect wiring harness. On models with standard column and A/T, connect conductor tube for transmission indicator to instrument panel. On all models, install steering wheel and connect battery negative cable.

Disassembly ("G" & "P" Series)

1. Remove steering wheel nut and flat washer, then slide steering shaft assembly out of lower end of column. Remove lower bearing bolt, washer, nut, spring and clamp from steering shaft ("G" series) or from steering column ("P" series). Remove back-up lamp switch.
2. Drive out shift lever pin (except floor shift models) and remove shift lever. Remove directional switch canceling cam and switch lever. Remove column wiring harness cover.
3. Remove directional signal switch screws. Rotate directional signal switch housing counterclockwise and remove housing from column. Remove plastic thrust washer assembly and then remove shift lever housing (or extension housing if floor shift) from column.
4. Housing and switch cannot be fully removed from column until shift lever housing is removed. Separate directional signal switch, switch control support assembly, directional signal housing and shift lever housing (or extension housing) assemblies.
5. Press steering shaft upper bearing out of switch contact support. Remove shift lever housing (or extension housing) seal and bushing from upper end of column.
6. Remove bolt and screws from adjusting ring clamp and remove clamp, adjusting ring, and lower bearing. Press lower bearing out of adjusting ring. On 3-speed columns, remove 1st-Reverse shift lever and lever spacer.
7. On models with A/T, remove selector plate clamping ring screws. On all models, place column upright on floor, supporting it with 2 pieces of wood.
8. Place a block of wood on upper end of shift tube. Press down on shift lever with foot while tapping on wood block to withdraw tube from column jacket. If removal is difficult, use a press.
9. Remove felt seal from shift tube. Remove firewall clamp, floor pan seal and dash seals from jacket. Inspect parts for excessive wear, rust or corrosion.

Reassembly

1. Apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all friction surfaces. Install dash panel seal, floor pan and firewall clamps over end of column. Lubricate all bearing surfaces on shift tube. Place felt seal onto shift tube (next to spring) and place shift tube in jacket.
2. On 3-speed column shift models, temporarily install spacer, 1st-Reverse shift lever and lower adjusting ring. Place a block of wood on top of adjusting ring and tap until shift tube bottoms. Remove adjusting ring, shift lever and spacer.
3. On models with A/T, align 3 holes in selector plate with 3 holes in jacket. Shift tube spring retainer must be bottomed against jacket stops. Position clamping ring and install 3 screws.
4. On 3-speed columns, lubricate and install spacer and 1st-Reverse (tang of lever towards top of column). On all columns, install lower bearing in adjusting ring. Then install adjusting ring and bearing, clamp, washers and bolts.
5. Install shift lever housing (or extension housing) seat and bushing to upper end of housing. Thread directional signal switch wiring harness through switch and shift lever (or extension) housing.
6. Lubricate inner diameter of shift (extension) housing and install onto upper end of column. Install switch housing plastic washer assembly. Press upper bearing into switch contact support.
7. Install directional signal switch housing, contact support, bearing, and switch screws. Tighten screws to 25 INCH lbs. (2.8 N.m). Install column wiring harness cover and back-up lamp switch. Install directional signal and gearshift levers.
8. Loosely install lower bearing preload spring and clamp. Slide steering shaft assembly through column assembly. Install directional signal canceling cam, steering shaft nut and lock washer.

Removing Bearing Housing Pivot Pins Tilt column models only are shown. Scheme 3

Removing Shift Tube. Scheme 4

Scheme 5

1. Place column in Vise Holding Fixture (J-22574). Remove directional signal switch. Remove lower steering shaft and pot joint assembly. Remove lower bearing retainer clip and reinforcement. Remove lower bearing and adapter assembly from column, then press bearing out from adapter.
2. If column shift model, drive out shift lever pivot pin and shift lever. Install tilt release lever and place column in fully upward position. Remove tilt lever spring and retainer using a screwdriver that just fits into slot opening.
3. Insert screwdriver into slot at tilt spring and retainer, push down and in approximately 3/16", rotate clockwise approximately 1/8 turn until retainer ears align with grooves in housing and remove retainer and spring.
4. Remove steering shaft bearing lock nut using Socket (J-22599). Remove upper bearing race seat and race. Remove 2 bearing housing pivot pins using Pin Remover (J-21854). (Scheme 3)
5. Pull up on tilt release lever (to disengage lock shoes) and remove bearing housing. To disassemble bearing housing, press upper and lower bearings out of housing. Use a slide hammer to remove bearing races from housing. Remove tilt release lever.
6. Drive out shoe release lever pivot pin using a punch. Remove lever spring and remove wedge. Drive out lock shoe retaining pin with a punch and remove shoes and shoe springs.
7. Remove steering shaft assembly through upper end of column. If disassembly of shaft is necessary, turn upper shaft 90° to lower shaft and slide upper shaft and centering spheres from lower shaft.
8. Rotate centering spheres 90° and remove centering spheres and preload spring from upper shaft. Remove 4 bearing housing support screws and remove support. If shift tube index plate (column shift only) must be removed, remove 2 retaining screws and remove plate.
9. Remove shift tube retaining ring with screwdriver. Screws must be fully engaged in lock plate. Remove thrust washer. Remove neutral start switch or back-up lamp switch retaining screws and remove switch.
10. Alter Shift Tube Remover (J-22551) by removing 1/2" from pilot end. DO NOT hammer on shift tube during removal. (Scheme 5) (Scheme 5): Reworked Shift Tube Removal Tube
11. To remove shift tube assembly (using altered shift tube remover), insert hooked end of remover into notch in shift tube just below shift lever housing key. Pilot sleeve over threaded end of remover and into upper end of shift tube.
12. Force shift tube out of housing by turning nut onto remover. If shift tube is not completely free when nut is bottomed on its threads, complete removal by hand.
13. On column shift models, guide lower shift lever though slotted opening in column to prevent damage to tube or column. On all models, remove lock plate by sliding out of column notches, tipping plate downward toward housing to compress wave washer and then removing wave washer and lock plate.
14. Remove shift lever housing. On column shift models, remove shift lever spring by winding it up with pliers. On all models, remove dash panel seal mounting plate and instrument panel seal from column jacket.

Scheme 6

1. Install dash panel seal, mounting plate and instrument panel seal on column. On column shift models, press a new shift lever spring into shift lever housing. Slide shift lever housing over upper end of column.
2. Place wave washer and lock plate in position. Work lock plate into notches by tipping plate toward housing (compressing wave washer) at open side of column. Lubricate lock plate and upper end of shift tube.
3. Carefully install shift tube into lower end of column (ensure foam seal is at lower end of shift tube). Align keyway in tube with key in shift lever housing and complete installation of shift tube using Tube Installer (J-22549). Keyway in tube must be aligned with key in shift lever housing. (Scheme 6) (Scheme 6): Installing Shift Pin Tube
4. Shift lever housing key must bottom in shift tube slot to be fully installed. Lubricate and push foam seal in flush with column housing. DO NOT hammer or force tube when installing in column.
5. Pull up on shift lever housing (to compress wave washer) and install thrust washer and retaining ring. Ensure ring is seated in both slots of shift tube.
6. Lubricate inside diameter of bearing housing support and install support. Align bolt holes in support with bolt holes in lock plate. Install 4 support screws and torque to 45 INCH lbs. (5.1 N.m).
7. To assemble steering shaft, lubricate and assemble centering spheres and preload spring. Install spheres into upper (short) shaft and rotate 90°. Install lower shaft 90° to upper shaft and over centering spheres.
8. Slowly straighten shafts while compressing preload spring. Install shaft assembly into housing from upper end. Install lower bearing and adapter, bearing reinforcement, wire clip, pot joint coupling and lower shaft.
9. To assemble bearing housing, press new upper and lower bearing races into bearing housing. Lubricate and install bearings into races. Place lock shoe springs in position in housing.
10. Install each shoe in place and compress spring until a straight punch can be used to hold shoes in position. Once shoes are in place, install retaining pin. Install shoe release lever and drive in pivot pin.
11. Install tilt release lever. Lubricate shoes and release lever. Install bearing housing assembly to support. Hold tilt release lever up until shoes have fully engaged support. Lubricate and install bearing housing pivot pins. Press pins in flush with housing.
12. Place housing in fully upward position then install tilt spring and retainer (tapered end of spring first). Push into housing approximately 3/16" and rotate counterclockwise 1/8 turn.
13. Lubricate and install upper bearing upper race, race seat and lock nut. Tighten lock nut to remove lash and then further tighten 1/16 to 1/8 turn (column must be in straight-ahead position). Remove tilt release lever.
14. Install directional signal switch. Install shift lever and pivot pin if column shift model. Install neutral start or back-up lamp switch.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES
• ADJUSTMENTS