Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection

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Notice: Vehicles involved in accidents resulting in frame damage, major body or sheet metal damage, or where the steering column has been impacted, or where supplemental inflatable restraint systems deployed may also have a damaged or misaligned steering column.

Check the capsules on the steering column bracket assembly: all must be securely seated in the bracket slots and checked for any loose conditions when pushed or pulled by hand. If not, the bracket should be replaced if bolted to the jacket assembly. If the bracket is welded to the jacket assembly replace the jacket assembly.

•	Check for jacket assembly collapse by measuring the distance from the lower edge of the upper jacket to a defined point on the lower jacket. If measured dimensions are not within specifications, a new jacket must be installed.

•	Visually inspect the shift tube for sheared injected plastic. If the shift tube shows sheared plastic, a new shift tube must be installed.

•	Check operation of the shift lever, if you can move the lever to the park position without raising the lever, it is an indication that the upper shift tube plastic bearing is broken.

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Caution: Inflatable restraint coil assembly must be removed from the steering column and allowed to hang freely before shaft is rotated. Failure to do so could damage coil assembly.

Visually inspect steering shaft for sheared injected plastic. If steering shaft shows sheared plastic, a new steering shaft must be installed.

•	Any frame damage that could cause a bent steering shaft must have the steering shaft runout checked in the following manner. Using a dial indicator at the lower end of the steering shaft, have the steering wheel rotated. Runout must not exceed 1.60 MM.