GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Tracker - 2WD 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Suspension General Diagnosis 🢒 Steering Column Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.

    2. Object Number: 464195 Size: SH
  2. Rotate the steering wheel in order to position the opening in the steering shaft coupling (2) in the vertical position.
  3. Using paint, place match marks (3) on the steering column shaft (1), steering shaft coupling (2), the and the lower steering shaft in order to mark the location of the opening in the coupling.
  4. Rotate the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position.

    5. Notice: The steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the following components:

       • The steering column
       • The steering shaft coupling
       • The intermediate shaft
       • The lower steering shaft
    After disconnecting these components, do not move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow these procedures may cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in possible damage to the SIR coil.

  5. Turn the key to the LOCK position and remove the key.
  6. Rotate the steering wheel to the left in order to lock the steering column and allow access to the steering shaft coupling bolts.
  7. Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  8. Remove the steering column trim covers. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement .

    9. Object Number: 464173 Size: SH

    Important: When you service the steering column or any column-mounted component, remove the steering wheel. However, when you remove the steering column in order to gain access to the instrument panel components, leave the steering wheel installed on the steering column.

  9. Remove the following components, if necessary:
    10. • The steering wheel inflator module--Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
    • The steering wheel--Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
    • The turn signal and headlamp and windshield washer switch and inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil assembly (1)--Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement in SIR.
    • The steering column lock and ignition switch cylinder--Refer to Steering Column Lock and Ignition Switch Cylinder Replacement .
  10. If the steering wheel remains on the column, disconnect the connectors on the steering column for the following components:
    11. • The inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil
    • The horn
    • The turn signal and headlamp and windshield washer switch
    • The ignition switch

    Object Number: 464227 Size: SH
  11. If the steering wheel remains on the column, and the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, complete the following steps:
    12. 11.1. Verify the shift lever is in PARK.
    11.2. Remove the screw (1) from the park lock cable (2).
    11.3. Disconnect the park lock cable from the steering column lock and ignition switch cylinder.

    Object Number: 464202 Size: SH
  12. Remove the bolt (1) on the column side of the steering shaft coupling.
  13. Loosen the bolt (3) on the lower steering shaft side of the steering shaft coupling.

    14. Object Number: 464211 Size: SH
  14. Use a plastic hammer in order to tap the steering shaft coupling (2) down over the lower steering shaft (3), releasing the steering column shaft (1).
  15. Secure the coupling on the lower steering shaft with the bolt (4).

    16. Object Number: 464219 Size: SH
  16. Remove 6 bolts (2) from the steering column (1).

    17. Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.

  17. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure
  1. Verify the front tires and wheels have not moved since the removal of the steering column.
  2. If you are replacing the steering column, place match marks on the new steering column in the same positions as on the old steering column.

    3. Object Number: 464242 Size: SH
  3. Install the steering column (3) to the cowl (2) and to the upper bracket so that the boss of the steering column lower seal (1) projects through the cowl into the engine compartment.

    4. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

    Caution: In order to ensure the intended function of the steering column in a vehicle during a crash and in order to avoid personal injury to the driver, perform the following:

       • Tighten the steering column lower fasteners before you tighten the steering column upper fasteners. Failure to do this can damage the steering column.
       • Tighten the steering column fasteners to the specified torque. Overtightening the upper steering column fasteners could affect the steering column collapse.


    Object Number: 464219 Size: SH
  4. Tighten the 4 lower bolts that retain the column to the cowl (3).

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the lower bolts to 23 N·m (17 lb ft).

  5. Tighten the 2 upper bolts.

    6. Tighten
    Tighten the upper bolts to 23 N·m (17 lb ft).


    Object Number: 464247 Size: SH
  6. Align the match marks (2) on the following components:
    7. • The lower steering shaft (4)
    • The steering shaft coupling (1)
    • The steering column shaft (3)

    Object Number: 464202 Size: SH
  7. Loosen the bolt (3) on the steering shaft coupling and move the steering shaft coupling up over the steering column shaft (2).
  8. Install the bolt (1).
  9. Tighten the 2 steering shaft coupling bolts.

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).

  10. If necessary, install the steering column lock and ignition switch cylinder. Refer to Steering Column Lock and Ignition Switch Cylinder Replacement .

    11. Object Number: 464227 Size: SH
  11. If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, connect the park lock cable (2) to the steering column lock and ignition switch cylinder.
  12. Install the screw (1).

    13. Tighten
    Tighten the screw to 2.2 N·m (19.5 lb in).

  13. If you are reinstalling the old inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil, complete the following steps:
    14. 13.1. Unlock the steering column.
    13.2. Move the front tires and wheels to the straight ahead position.
    13.3. Center the inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Centering .

    Object Number: 464173 Size: SH
  14. If you are installing a new coil, install the turn signal and headlamp and windshield washer switch with the inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil (1). Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Coil Replacement in SIR.
  15. Connect the connectors to the following components:
    16. • The inflatable restraint steering wheel module coil
    • The horn
    • The turn signal and headlamp and windshield washer switch
    • The ignition switch
  16. Install the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  17. If necessary, install the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
  18. If necessary, install the steering wheel inflator module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
  19. Install the steering column trim covers. Refer to Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement .
  20. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.