GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 1997 🢒 GMC P42 Commercial Chassis 🢒 Steering 🢒 Steering Wheel and Column 🢒 Diagnosis of the Steering Column

Diagnosis of the Steering Column General

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.
    • Adjust the linkage.
    • Replace the shift tube assembly.
    • Replace the shift tube assembly.

Diagnosis of the Steering Column Tilt

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.
    • Replace the pin.

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 spring.
    • Replace the bearing and the bearing race.
    • Install the seat.
    • 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 the spring.
    • 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.
    • Replace the spring.
    • Reposition the wires.