GMC 1982 Light Duty Truck, Service Manual

Page: 327 / 1435

STEERING COLUMNS 3B4-39
6. Remove the steering shaft bearing locknut using
Socket J-22599. Remove the upper bearing race seat and
race.
7. Remove the two bearing housing pivot pins using
Tool J-21854.
8. Pull up on the tilt release lever (to disengage the lock
shoes) and remove the bearing housing.
If the bearing housing is being replaced or it is
necessary to disassemble the bearing housing, proceed as
follows:
a. Press the upper and lower bearings out of the
housing.
b. Using Puller J-5822 and Slide Hammer J-2619, pull
the bearing races from 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. Using a suitable size punch, drive out the lock shoe
retaining pin. Remove the shoes and shoe springs.
If the upper steering shaft, lower steering shaft, or
centering spheres are being removed, proceed as follows:
9. To remove the steering shaft assembly through the
upper end of the column. If it is necessary to disassemble
the shaft, proceed as follows:
a. To remove the lower steering shaft first disconnect
the shaft at the pot joint coupling clamp.
b. Turn the upper shaft 90° to the lower shaft and slide
the upper shaft and centering spheres from the lower shaft.
c. Rotate the centering spheres 90° and remove the
centering spheres and preload spring from the upper shaft.
If the bearing housing support is being replaced,
proceed as follows:
10. Remove the four bearing housing support screws
and remove the support.
A sse m bly
N O T ICE:
See NOTICE on page 1 of this section
regarding the fasteners referred to in steps 3, 9 and 11.
1. Assemble the steering shaft as follows:
a. Lubricate and assemble the centering spheres and
preload spring.
b. Install the spheres into the upper (short) shaft and
rotate 90°.
c. Install the lower shaft 90° to the upper 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
upper end.
3. Install the lower shaft to the pot joint coupling
clamp. Install the coupling clamp bolt and torque to
specifications.
N O T ICE:
The coupling bolt must pass through the
shaft undercut, or damage may occur to the
components.
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 bearing
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 may 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 "up" 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 "up" position and then
install tilt spring and retainer (tapered end of spring first).
Push into the housing approximately 3/16" and rotate
counterclockwise 1/8 turn.
7. Lubricate and install the upper 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 of a turn (column must be in straight ahead
position).
8. Remove the tilt release lever.
9. Install the directional signal switch as outlined
under "Directional Signal Switch - Installation".