GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Steering Column Replacement Floor Shift

Tools Required

    • J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin
    • J 41352 Steering Column Holding Fixture

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in the Preface section.

    Notice: The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the SIR coil assembly to become uncentered, which may cause damage to the coil assembly.

    Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the car, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the column's collapsible design. If it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, use only the specified steering wheel puller. Under no conditions should the end of the shaft be hammered upon as hammering could loosen plastic injections which maintain column rigidity.

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

  1. Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.

  2. Object Number: 333146  Size: SH
  3. Insert J 42640 into the steering column access hole in order to lock the steering column. This will maintain the correct orientation.
  4. If you disassemble the steering column, remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
  7. Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
  8. Lower the vehicle.
  9. Remove the knee bolster and the bracket or the reinforcement. Refer to Knee Bolster Bracket Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  10. For the console shift, complete the following steps:
  11. 9.1. Unlock the ignition.
    9.2. Remove the park lock cable and lock the ignition.
  12. Disconnect the steering column wiring harness connector from the main body wiring harness.

  13. Object Number: 800069  Size: SH

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

    Important: Stabilize the studs in order to remove the nuts securing the steering column to the instrument panel (I/P).

  14. Support the column.

  15. Object Number: 627270  Size: SH
  16. Remove the nuts retaining the steering column.
  17. Important: Discard the clips at the upper steering column support, if equipped. These clips are for assembly plant usage only.

  18. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
  19. Install the steering column on J 41352 .
  20. Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt (2) at the steering column.
  21. Remove the intermediate steering shaft (1).

Installation Procedure

    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.

    Notice: If a service replacement steering column is being installed, do not remove the anti-rotation pin until after the steering column has been connected to the steering gear. Removing the anti-rotation pin before the steering column is connected to the steering gear may damage the SIR coil assembly.

  1. Install the intermediate steering shaft (1) to the steering column.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the pinch bolt to the power steering gear stub shaft.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering gear pinch bolt to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  5. Remove J 41352 from the steering column.

  6. Object Number: 627270  Size: SH

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

  7. Support the column. Install 4 nuts on the upper support bracket studs.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the upper and the lower support nuts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).

  9. Connect the steering column wiring harness connector to the main body wiring harness.
  10. For the console shift, complete the following steps:
  11. 6.1. Unlock the ignition.
    6.2. Install the park lock cable.
    6.3. Lock the ignition.
  12. Install the knee bolster and the bracket or the reinforcement. Refer to Knee Bolster Bracket Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  13. Install the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
  14. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.
  15. Remove J 42640 from the steering column.
  16. Inspect the steering for proper operation.

Steering Column Replacement Column Shift

Tools Required

    • J 42640 Steering Column Anti-Rotation Pin
    • J 41352 Steering Column Holding Fixture

Removal Procedure

    Caution: Refer to SIR Caution in the Preface section.

    Notice: The wheels of the vehicle must be straight ahead and the steering column in the LOCK position before disconnecting the steering column or intermediate shaft from the steering gear. Failure to do so will cause the SIR coil assembly to become uncentered, which may cause damage to the coil assembly.

    Notice: Once the steering column is removed from the car, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column on its end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the column's collapsible design. If it is necessary to remove the steering wheel, use only the specified steering wheel puller. Under no conditions should the end of the shaft be hammered upon as hammering could loosen plastic injections which maintain column rigidity.

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

  1. Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.

  2. Object Number: 333146  Size: SH
  3. Insert the J 42640 into the steering column access hole in order to lock the steering column. This will maintain the correct orientation.
  4. If you disassemble the steering column, remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  6. Object Number: 105357  Size: SH
  7. Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
  8. Remove the intermediate shaft from the steering gear.
  9. Lower the vehicle.

  10. Object Number: 746041  Size: SH
  11. Remove the knee bolster. Refer to Knee Bolster Bracket Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  12. Disconnect the steering column wiring harness connector from the main body wiring harness.
  13. Disconnect the shift lever cable from the linear shift assembly.

  14. Object Number: 746042  Size: SH
  15. Remove the shift cable retaining clip.

  16. Object Number: 746037  Size: SH
  17. Press the shift cable tabs (1) together and remove the shift cable (2) from the steering column.

  18. Object Number: 800069  Size: SH

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

    Important: Stabilize the studs in order to remove the nuts securing the steering column to the instrument panel (I/P).

  19. Support the column.

  20. Object Number: 506203  Size: SH
  21. Remove the lower steering column retaining nuts.
  22. Remove the upper steering column retaining nuts.
  23. Important: Discard the clips at the upper steering column support, if equipped. These clips are for assembly plant usage only.

  24. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
  25. Install the steering column on J 41352 .
  26. Remove the intermediate shaft pinch bolt (2) at the steering column.
  27. Remove the intermediate steering shaft (1).

Installation Procedure

    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.

    Notice: If a service replacement steering column is being installed, do not remove the anti-rotation pin until after the steering column has been connected to the steering gear. Removing the anti-rotation pin before the steering column is connected to the steering gear may damage the SIR coil assembly.

    Notice: The steering column should never be supported only by the lower support bracket. Damage to the lower support could result.

  1. Install the intermediate steering shaft (1) to the steering column.
  2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the pinch bolt to the power steering gear stub shaft.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the power steering gear pinch bolt to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  5. Remove J 41352 from the steering column.

  6. Object Number: 506203  Size: SH
  7. Install the steering column to the vehicle.
  8. Important: 

       • When installing the steering column, install the fasteners needed for completing each step of the installation. DO NOT tighten the fasteners until the procedure tells you to do so.
       • In order to ensure that the column absorbs energy correctly, use only the specified screws, bolts, and nuts. Tighten the components to the specified torque.

  9. Install the steering column and the upper and lower mounting nuts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).


    Object Number: 746037  Size: SH
  11. Connect the steering column wiring harness connector to the main body wiring harness.
  12. Install the transmission shift cable (2) to the steering column.

  13. Object Number: 746042  Size: SH
  14. Install the transmission shift cable retaining clip.

  15. Object Number: 746041  Size: SH
  16. Install the shift cable to the linear shift assembly.
  17. Install the knee bolster and the bracket or the reinforcement. Refer to Knee Bolster Bracket Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  18. Raise the vehicle.

  19. Object Number: 105357  Size: SH
  20. Install the intermediate shaft to the steering gear.
  21. Install the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
  22. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

  23. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  24. Lower the vehicle.
  25. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling in SIR.

  26. Object Number: 333146  Size: SH
  27. Remove J 42640 from the steering column.
  28. Inspect the steering for proper operation.