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For 1990-2009 cars only

Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket Replacement Tilt Column

Special Tools

    • J 21854-01 Pivot Pin Remover
    • J 41688 Centering Sphere Installer - Tilt Steering Wheel

Removal Procedure

    Warning: Refer to SIR Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 324887  Size: SH
  1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.
  2. Remove the ignition lock cylinder case assembly. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Case Replacement.
  3. Remove the tilt spring assembly only. Refer to Steering Column Tilt Spring Replacement.
  4. Remove the 2 pan head tapping screws from the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly.
  5. Remove the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly from the steering column tilt head assembly.


    Object Number: 662202  Size: SH
  6. If you are working on a column shift, remove the 3 flat head 6-lobed socket tapping screws from the linear shift assembly.
  7. Remove the linear shift assembly from the steering column jacket assembly.


    Object Number: 343870  Size: SH
  8. Remove the foam insulator (1) from the lower end of the steering shaft assembly.

  9. Object Number: 343881  Size: SH
  10. Remove the adapter and bearing assembly (1).

  11. Object Number: 324933  Size: SH
  12. Remove the 2 pivot pins from the steering column support assembly with J 21854-01 .

  13. Object Number: 324937  Size: SH
  14. Install the tilt lever. Tilt the column to the upright position.
  15. Remove the upper tilt head assembly with the steering shaft assembly from the steering column support assembly.

  16. Object Number: 324936  Size: SH
  17. Remove the steering shaft assembly (1) from the upper tilt head assembly.
  18. Note: Mark the race and upper shaft assembly and the lower steering shaft assembly to ensure proper reassembly. Failure to reassemble properly will cause the steering wheel to be turned 180 degrees.

  19. Mark the race and upper shaft assembly and the lower steering shaft assembly.
  20. Inspect the steering column for accident damage. Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection.

  21. Object Number: 295954  Size: SH
  22. Tilt the race and upper shaft assembly 90 degrees to the lower shaft assembly. Disengage the race and upper shaft assembly from the lower shaft assembly.

  23. Object Number: 299885  Size: SH
  24. If necessary, remove the centering sphere and joint preload spring using the following procedure:
  25. 14.1. Insert the race and upper shaft assembly (1) into J 41688 .
    14.2. Rotate the driver 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in order to disengage the centering sphere.
    14.3. Remove the shaft preload spring and the centering sphere from J 41688 .
    14.4. If necessary, discard the centering sphere and the joint preload spring.

    Object Number: 299877  Size: SH
  26. Remove the 4 TORX® head screws (2) from the steering column support assembly (1).
  27. Discard the 4 TORX® head screws (2).
  28. Remove the steering column support assembly (1) from the steering column jacket assembly (3).

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 299877  Size: SH

    Note: After you have staked the steering column support assembly and the pivot pins 3 times, replace the steering column support assembly and the pivot pins.

  1. Install the steering column support assembly (1) onto the steering column jacket assembly (3).
  2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  3. Install the 4 new TORX® head screws (2) into the steering column support assembly (1).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).


    Object Number: 299879  Size: SH
  5. Lubricate the centering sphere (1) with GM P/N 12345718 (Canadian P/N 10953516).
  6. Install the centering sphere (1) and the joint preload spring (2) into J 41688 .

  7. Object Number: 299881  Size: SH
  8. Compress the centering sphere and the joint preload spring.
  9. Rotate the driver 90 degrees in the clockwise direction until the arms lock in place.

  10. Object Number: 299885  Size: SH
  11. Install the race and upper shaft assembly (1) into J 41688 .
  12. Rotate the race and upper shaft assembly 90 degrees.

  13. Object Number: 299887  Size: SH
  14. Remove the race and upper shaft assembly with J 41688 .
  15. Rotate the race and upper shaft assembly 90 degrees from J 41688 .
  16. Remove J 41688 with the race and upper shaft assembly.

  17. Object Number: 299888  Size: SH
  18. Apply GM P/N 12345718 (Canadian P/N 10953516) to the race and upper shaft assembly.
  19. Install the lower shaft assembly onto the race and upper shaft assembly using the alignment marks from the disassemble procedure.

  20. Object Number: 299889  Size: SH
  21. Install the steering shaft assembly (2) into the steering column tilt head assembly (1).

  22. Object Number: 306326  Size: SH

    Note: When you have staked the steering column support assembly and the pivot pins 3 times, replace the steering column support assembly and the pivot pins.

  23. Install the steering column tilt head assembly (1) into the steering column jacket assembly (4).
  24. Install the 2 pivot pins (3) into the steering column tilt head assembly.
  25. Stake the pivot pin locations (2) in 3 places.

  26. Object Number: 343881  Size: SH
  27. Install the adapter and bearing assembly (1) onto the lower end of the steering shaft assembly.

  28. Object Number: 343870  Size: SH
  29. Install the foam insulator (1).

  30. Object Number: 662202  Size: SH
  31. If you are working on a column shift, install the linear shift assembly onto the steering column jacket assembly.
  32. Note: The linear shift assembly must be out of the PARK position in order to install the lower socket tapping screw.

  33. Install the 3 flat head 6-lobed socket tapping screws.
  34. Tighten
    Tighten the tapping screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

    Warning: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Coil Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 324887  Size: SH

    Note: The electrical contact on the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly must rest on the turn signal cancel cam assembly.

  35. Install the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly onto the steering column tilt head assembly.
  36. Screw the 2 pan head tapping screws into the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly.
  37. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  38. Install the tilt spring assembly only. Refer to Steering Column Tilt Spring Replacement.
  39. Install the ignition lock cylinder case assembly. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Case Replacement.
  40. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.

Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket Replacement Standard Column

Removal Procedure

    Warning: Refer to SIR Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 324887  Size: SH
  1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.
  2. Remove the ignition lock cylinder case assembly. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Case Replacement.
  3. Inspect the steering column for accident damage. Refer to Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection.
  4. Remove the 2 pan head tapping screws from the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly.
  5. Remove the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly from the steering column housing assembly.


    Object Number: 662202  Size: SH
  6. If you are working on a column shift, remove the 3 flat head 6-lobed socket tapping screws from the linear shift assembly.
  7. Remove the linear shift assembly from the steering column jacket assembly.


    Object Number: 343870  Size: SH
  8. Remove the foam insulator (1) from the lower end of the steering shaft assembly.

  9. Object Number: 343881  Size: SH
  10. Remove the adapter and bearing assembly (1).

  11. Object Number: 389648  Size: SH
  12. Remove the steering shaft assembly (1) from the steering column support assembly (2) and the steering column jacket assembly (3).

  13. Object Number: 389651  Size: SH
  14. Remove the 4 TORX® head screws (1) from the steering column support assembly (2).
  15. Discard the 4 TORX® head screws (1).
  16. Remove the steering column support assembly (2) from the steering column jacket assembly (3).

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 389651  Size: SH
  1. Attach the steering column support assembly (2) to the steering column jacket assembly (3).
  2. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  3. Install the new 4 TORX® head screws (1) into the steering column support assembly (2).
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).


    Object Number: 389648  Size: SH
  5. Install the steering shaft assembly (1) into the steering column support assembly (2) and the steering column jacket assembly (3).

  6. Object Number: 343881  Size: SH
  7. Install the adapter and bearing assembly (1) to the steering shaft assembly.

  8. Object Number: 343870  Size: SH
  9. Install the foam insulator (1) to the steering shaft assembly.

  10. Object Number: 662202  Size: SH
  11. If you are working on a column shift, install the linear shift assembly onto the steering column jacket assembly.
  12. Note: The linear shift assembly must be out of the PARK position in order to install the lower socket tapping screw.

  13. Install the 3 flat head 6-lobed socket tapping screws.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

    Warning: Refer to SIR Inflator Module Coil Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 324887  Size: SH

    Note: The electrical contact on the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly must rest on the turn signal cancel cam assembly.

  15. Install the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly onto the steering column tilt head assembly.
  16. Screw the 2 pan head tapping screws into the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the screws to 7 N·m (62 lb in).

  18. Install the ignition lock cylinder case assembly. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Case Replacement.
  19. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.