Inspection Procedure
- Vehicles involved in accidents
involving the following conditions may also have a damaged or misaligned steering
column:
• | Major body or sheet metal damage |
• | Where the steering column has been impacted |
• | Where supplemental inflatable restraint systems deployed |
- Inspect the capsules on the steering column bracket assembly.
All capsules must be securely seated in the bracket slots and inspected for
any loose conditions when pushed or pulled by hand.
- Observe how the bracket is attached to the jacket assembly.
• | If the capsules are not securely seated and the bracket is bolted
to the jacket assembly, replace only the bracket. |
• | If the capsules are not securely seated and the bracket is welded
to the jacket assembly, replace only the jacket assembly. |
- Inspect for jacket assembly
collapse by measuring the distance from the lower edge of the upper jacket
to a defined point on the lower jacket. Measurement for the jacket assembly
must be A = 107 mm or 4.21 in. Replace the jacket assembly if the measured
dimensions are not within specifications.
- Visually inspect steering
shaft for sheared injected plastic. If steering shaft shows sheared plastic (1),
replace the steering shaft.
- Any frame damage that could cause a bent steering shaft must have
the steering shaft runout checked in the following manner. Using a dial indicator
at the lower end of the steering shaft, have the steering wheel rotated. Runout
must not exceed 1.60 mm.