Inspection Procedure
- Turn Signal Switch Bracket» Remove - Turn Signal Switch Bracket Replacement
- Steering Column» Remove - Steering Column Replacement CAUTION:
Vehicles involved in accidents that result in any of the following kinds of damage or situations, may also have a damaged or misaligned steering column:
- Frame damage
- Major body damage
- Sheet metal damage
- If the steering column has been impacted
- If the supplemental inflatable restraints system was deployed
- Rotate the steering column shaft and verify the shaft turns freely and without interference during the operation.
- Verify the energy absorbing (E/A) strap holder rivets (1) are NOT sheared completely.
If ANY of the four rivets are sheared, the steering column MUST be replaced.
- If all four E/A strap holder rivets (1) are intact, verify the rivets are sitting against the E/A strap holder (2) firmly and do NOT appear to be extracted or loose in ANY way.
If ANY of the four rivets appear loose or extracted, the steering column MUST be replaced.
- Verify there is NO damage to the E/A strap (1).
- Measure the length (a) of the upper and lower jacket assembly in the fully telescoped position.
The length of the upper and lower jacket assembly must NOT be less than 420.19 mm (16.54 in).
- Measure the length (b) of the upper shaft from the end of the upper jacket to the tip of the shaft.
The length of the upper shaft must NOT be less than 62.6 mm (2.46 in).
- Actuate the steering column in the radial and axial directions.
The steering column must NOT exhibit ANY grinding or binding or exhibit ANY subjective degradation of noise during column operation.
- If the steering column does NOT meet the specifications, the steering column is damaged.
DISCARD the damaged steering column and install a NEW steering column.
- If the steering column DOES meet the specifications, install the steering column. Refer to Steering Column Replacement
- Turn Signal Switch Bracket» Install - Turn Signal Switch Bracket Replacement