Chevrolet 1977 light duty truck, Service Manual

Page: 254 / 861

approxim ately 3 /1 6 " , rotate clockwise approxim ately 1/8
turn until the re ta in e r ears align with the grooves in the
housing and remove the re ta in e r and spring.
6. Remove the steering sh a ft bearing locknut using
Socket J-22599. Remove the upp er bearing race seat and
race.
7. Remove the two b earin g housing pivot pins
using Tool J - 2 1854.
8. Pull up on the tilt release lever (to disengage the
lock shoes) and remove the b earin g housing.
If the b earin g housing is being replaced or it is
necessary to disassemble the bearing housing,
proceed as follows:
a. Press the upp er and lower bearings out o f the
housing.
b. Using Puller J-5822 and Slide H am m er
J-2619, pull the bearing races fro m the housing.
c. Remove the tilt release lever.
d. Drive out the shoe release pivot pin using
Tool J-22635 or a suitable punch. Remove the lever
spring and remove the wedge.
e. U sing a suitable size punch, drive out the lock
shoe retain in g pin. Remove the shoes an d shoe springs.
If the u p p e r steering shaft, lower steering shaft, or
c entering spheres are being removed, proceed as follows:
9. To remove the steering shaft assembly through
the u p p e r end o f the column. If it is necessary to
disassemble the shaft, proceed as follows:
a. To remove the lower steering shaft first
disconnect the sh aft at the pot jo in t coupling clamp.
b. T u rn the u p p e r shaft 90° to the lower shaft
and slide the u p p e r shaft and centering spheres from the
lower shaft.
c. Rotate the centering spheres 9 0 : and remove
the centering spheres and preload spring from the upper
shaft.
If the b earin g housing support is being replaced,
proceed as follows:
10. Remove the four bearing housing support
screws and remove the support.
Assembly
CAUTION:
See caution note on page 7 o f this
section regarding the fa sten ers referred to in
steps 3, 9 a n d 11.
1. Assemble the steering sh aft as follows:
a. Lubricate and assemble the centering spheres
and preload spring.
b. Install the spheres into the upp er (short) shaft
and rotate 90 °.
c. Install the lower sh aft 90 to the u p p e r shaft
and over the centering spheres. Slowly straighten the
shafts while compressing the preload spring.
2. Install the shaft assembly into the housing from
the u pper end.
3. Install the lower shaft to the pot jo in t coupling
clamp. Install the coupling clam p bolt and torque to
specifications.
N O T E : The coupling bolt must pass through the
s h a ft undercut.
4. Assemble the bearing housing as follows:
a. Press the new upper and lower bearing races
into the bearing housing.
b. Lubricate and install the bearings into the
b earing races.
c. Place the lock shoe springs in position in the
housing. Install each shoe in place and compress the
spring until a suitable size straight punch can be used to
hold the shoe in position (it m ay be necessary to acquire
assistance to install the shoes). Once the shoes are in
place, drive in the shoe retaining pin.
d. Install the shoe release lever and drive in the
pivot pin.
e. Install the tilt release lever.
f. Lubricate the shoes and release lever.
5. Install the bearing housing assembly to the
support. Hold the tilt release lever in the " u p " position
until the shoes have fully engaged the support. Lubricate
and install the bearing housing pivot pins. Press the pins
in flush with the housing.
6. Place the housing in the full " u p " position and
then install tilt spring and retain er (tapered end o f
spring first). Push into the housing approxim ately 3 /1 6 "
and rotate counterclockwise 1/8 turn.
7. Lubricate and install the u pper bearing race,
race seat and locknut. Tighten the locknut (using Socket
J-22599) to remove the lash and then carefully further
tighten 1/16 to 1/8 o f a turn (column must be in straight
ahead position).
8. Remove the tilt release lever.
9. Install the directional signal switch as outlined
u nder "D irectional Signal Switch - Installation".
10. Column Shift Models - Install the shift lever
and pivot pin.
11. Install the steering wheel as outlined under
"Steering Wheel - Installation".
12. Check electrical and m echanical functioning o f
column.
S TEER IN G C O L U M N -G A N D P SERIES
Removal (Fig. 3B-89)
1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Column Shift Models - Disconnect transmission
shifter rods at the lower end o f the column.
3. G Models - Remove the interm ediate steering
sh aft flange to flexible coupling bolts.
P Models - Remove the interm ediate steering shaft
upper universal yoke to steering shaft pinch bolt.
M ark the coupling to shaft relationship.
4. Remove column clamp screw(s) on engine side
o f firewall, if equipped, and rem ove or slide the clamp
down the column.
5. From inside the vehicle, remove the screws from
the toe pan cover and slide the cover and seal up the
column.
6. Remove the steering wheel as outlined under
"S teering W heel-Rem oval", and reinstall the sh aft nut
and washer.
7. All Columns - Disconnect the directional signal
w iring harness. S ta n d a rd Colum n with Automatic