Steering Shaft Coupler: Testing and Inspection
OVERVIEWThe steering column coupling must be inspected whenever a vehicle is involved in an impact or whenever any of the following conditions exist:
- whenever a vehicle is involved in a collision which deploys the air bag, regardless of the extent of damage done to the vehicle.
- if a vehicle is involved in an impact of the vehicles front suspension or under carriage, which results in any type of damage to the front suspension crossmember.
- under any conditions which result in the steering column assembly or steering column shaft receiving a force great enough to move the steering column or shaft forward or rearward in a vehicle.
STEERING COLUMN COUPLING INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Place the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT AHEAD position. Using a steering wheel holding clamp, lock the steering wheel in place to keep it from rotating. This keeps the clockspring in the proper orientation.
2. Inside the passenger compartment, remove the steering column coupling retainer pin, back off the pinch bolt nut, and remove the steering column coupling pinch bolt (the pinch bolt nut is caged to the coupling and is not removable). Separate the upper and lower steering column couplings.
3. Remove the silencer seal enclosing the steering column coupling.
4. Inspect steering column lower coupling in the following areas for signs of damage:
- Inspect the sealing collar on the lower coupling to ensure the it is not cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged requiring coupling replacement.
- Inspect the corrugated section of the lower coupling for the following conditions or any other visible signs of damage.
- Uneven spacing between the corrugations on the coupling.
- Dings or dents in the corrugations of the coupling or anywhere else on the coupling wall.
- A bend in the corrugated section of the coupling.
- Inspect the lower coupling flex joint for binding.
If any of the preceding conditions exist, the steering column lower coupling must be replaced.
Inspect the steering column upper coupling for damage or binding. If the upper coupling needs to be replaced, the steering column must be replaced.
NOTE: Verify that grease is present on the lip of the dash-to-coupling seal where it contacts the lower coupling's plastic collar.
5. If the lower coupling does not require replacement, install the dash panel-to-steering column coupling silencer seal back on the vehicle.
NOTE: Do not tighten the coupling pinch bolt anytime the vehicle is not at curb riding height. It may cause unwanted conditions within the steering column if the vehicle is suspended in any manner when the pinch bolt is tightened.
6. Ensure front wheels of vehicle are positioned STRAIGHT AHEAD, then align and attach the steering column upper coupling to the lower coupling. Install the coupling pinch bolt. Tighten the pinch bolt nut to a torque of 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).
7. Install the coupling pinch bolt retainer pin.
8. Remove the steering wheel holding clamp.