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Home >> Cadillac >> 2003 >> Escalade EXT >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering >> Steering Wheel & Steering Column >> Repair Instructions >> Steering Column Replacement >> Installation Procedure
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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.
  1. Install the steering column to the vehicle.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
  2. Install the lower column nuts.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the nuts to 30 N.m (22 lb ft).

  3. Install the nuts to upper support brackets.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the nuts to 30 N.m (22 lb ft).

  4. Install the nuts (1) which retain the knee bolster deflector to the instrument panel.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the retaining nuts to 9 N.m (80 lb in).

    Fig 1: Installing Nuts To Upper Support Brackets
    G01455172Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    Fig 2: Installing Nuts To Knee Bolster Deflector
    G01455173Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  5. Install the wiring harness retaining (4) pin to the instrument panel.
    Fig 3: Installing Wiring Harness Retaining Pin To Instrument Panel
    G01455174Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Connect the steering column electrical connectors to the vehicle wiring harness.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the connector to 6 N.m (53 lb in).

    Fig 4: Connecting Steering Column Electrical Connectors To Vehicle Wiring Harness.
    G01455175Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  7. Connect the transmission shift cable (1) to the steering column.
  8. Install the body control module bracket. Refer to BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT in Body Control System.
  9. Install the knee bolster. Refer to KNEE BOLSTER REPLACEMENT in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
  10. Enable the SIR system. Refer to ZONE 3 in SIR.
    Fig 5: Connecting Transmission Shift Cable To Steering Column
    G01455176Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  11. Remove J 42640  from the steering column.
    Fig 6: Removing J 42640 From Steering
    G01455177Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.