Diagnosis of the Steering Column
Problem
| Possible
Cause
| Action
|
Lock bolt hits the shaft lock in the OFF and P (Park) positions
| The ignition switch is not set correctly.
| Adjust the ignition switch.
|
High shift effort
|
• | The column assembly is misaligned in the vehicle. |
• | The lower bowl bearing is not aligned correctly. |
• | There is a lack of grease on the bearing or seal areas. |
• | The shift tube is bent or broken. |
|
• | Align the column assembly correctly. |
• | Align the lower bowl bearing correctly. |
• | Lubricate the bearings and the seals. |
• | Replace the shift tubes. |
|
Improper transmission shifter
|
• | The shift tube joint is sheared. |
• | The transmission linkage is improperly adjusted. |
• | The lower shift lever is loose. |
• | The lower shift lever weld is sheared. |
|
• | Replace the shift tube assembly. |
• | Replace the shift tube assembly. |
• | Replace the shift tube assembly. |
|
Diagnosis of the Steering Column (Tilt)
Problem
| Possible
Cause
| Action
|
Excessive play in the mounted steering column assembly
|
• | The column mounting bracket bolts are loose. |
• | The support screws are loose. |
• | The tilt head pivot pins are loose. |
• | The lock shoe pin in the support is loose. |
|
• | Tighten the bolts to specifications. |
• | Tighten the screws to specifications. |
• | Replace the pivot pins. |
|
Loose housing
|
• | There is excessive clearance between the holes in the support
or the housing and the pivot pin diameter. |
• | The anti-lash spring in the centering spheres is faulty. |
• | The upper bearing is not seating in the bearings race. |
• | The upper bearing inner race seat is missing. |
• | The bearing preload spring is broken. |
• | The support screws are loose. |
|
• | Replace wither the support or the housing. |
• | Replace the bearing and the bearing race. |
• | Replace the preload spring. |
• | Tighten the screws to specifications. |
|
The housing is scraping on the bowl
| The bowl
is bent or not concentric with the hub.
| Replace the bowl and
align it to the hub.
|
The steering wheel is loose in every
other tilt position
| The fit between the lock shoe and the pivot pin is loose.
| Replace both the lock shoe and the pivot pin.
|
The steering column will not lock in any tilt position
|
• | The lock shoe grooves may have burrs or dirt. |
• | The lock shoe spring is weak or broken. |
• | The lock shoe is seized on its pivot pin. |
|
• | Replace the lock shoes and clean the grooves. |
• | Replace both lock shoes. |
|
A noise is heard when tilting the column
|
• | The tilt spring is rubbing in the housing. |
• | The tilt bumpers are worn. |
|
• | Reposition and lubricate the spring. |
• | Replace the tilt bumpers. |
|
The steering wheel fails to return to the top tilt position
|
• | The pivot pins are bound up. |
• | The tilt spring is faulty. |
• | The turn signal switch wires are too tight. |
|
• | Replace the pivot pins. |
|