GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 42640 Steering Column Lock Pin

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in the Preface section.

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.

Notice: The front wheels of the vehicle must be maintained in the straight ahead position and the steering column must be in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft. Failure to follow these procedures will cause improper alignment of some components during installation and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.


    Object Number: 333146  Size: SH
  1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
  2. Lock the steering column through the access hole in the lower steering column trim cover using J 42640 .
  3. Remove the knee bolster deflector. Refer to Steering Column Bracket Replacement .
  4. Remove the transfer case electronic control module. Refer to Transfer Case Shift Control Module Replacement .

  5. Object Number: 810840  Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct (3) and move out of the way.
  7. Remove the transfer case electronic control module bracket bolts and lower bracket out of the way.
  8. Disconnect the steering column electrical connector.
  9. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the back of the fuse block.

  10. Object Number: 731631  Size: SH
  11. Remove the intermediate shaft bolt from the steering column.

  12. Object Number: 731644  Size: SH
  13. Remove the steering column mounting nuts.
  14. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 731644  Size: SH
  1. Install the steering column to the vehicle and connect the column to the intermediate shaft.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the steering column mounting nuts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).


    Object Number: 731631  Size: SH
  5. Install the intermediate shaft bolt to the steering column.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  7. Connect the wiring harness connector to the back of the fuse block.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

  9. Connect the steering column electrical connector to the body wiring harness.
  10. Reposition the transfer case electronic control module bracket and install the bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

  12. Install the transfer case electronic control module. Refer to Transfer Case Shift Control Module Replacement .

  13. Object Number: 810840  Size: SH
  14. Connect the HVAC duct (3).
  15. Install the knee bolster deflector. Refer to Steering Column Bracket Replacement .

  16. Object Number: 333146  Size: SH
  17. Unlock the steering column by removing J 42640 from the lower trim cover access hole.
  18. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .