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Home >> Chevrolet >> 1982 >> Cavalier CL, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis (Single Page) >> Steering >> Steering Column >> Steering Columns - SAGINAW Steering Columns >> Reassembly >> Steering Column
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Steering Column

  1. Mount column in a suitable holding fixture or clamp onto two weld nuts with a vise. During reassembly, apply a thin coat of lithium grease to all friction parts. Install shift lever spring into housing if equipped. With floor shift models, install plunger. With tilt only columns, slide the gearshift lever housing onto mast jacket. With tilt-telescoping columns, install transmission control lock tube housing extension and tighten screws. Install housing cover so the three cover tabs enter slots in housing extension. Install housing onto mast jacket assembly.
    NOTE: Do not hammer on end of shift tube.
  2. Install bearing support lock plate wave washer. Install bearing support lock plate sliding it under jacket opening. Slide lock plate into notches in jacket. Insert shift tube into lower end of mast jacket. Align keyway in tube with key in shift lever housing. Insert suitable shift tube installer tool (J-23073) in shift tube and turn tool to tighten swivel (see Fig 1). With tool installed as shown, turn nut on tool while guiding shift lever through jacket slot, and pull shift tube into housing. Remove tool.
    Fig 1: Shift Tube Installation. Install Tool as Shown and Turn Nut to Press Shift Bowl onto Tube.
    G09318808Courtesy of NOT AVAILABLE
  3. Install bearing support thrust washer and retaining ring by pulling shift lever housing up far enough to compress wave washer. Install bearing support by aligning "V" in support with "V" in jacket. Install and tighten screws.
    NOTE: With telescope columns, install actuator rod before tightening support screws.

    Install lower bearing adapter, bearing, bearing reinforcement, jacket and adapter. Install centering spheres and anti-lash spring. With telescope columns, install upper shaft, locking wedge, locking rod and bumper in upper yoke. Install steering shaft assembly in shift tube from upper end carefully guiding shaft through tube and bearing. With tilt only columns, install actuator rod through shift lever housing and insert in slot in bearing support.

  4. If bearing housing was disassembled, proceed as follows: Press bearings into housing. Install lock shoe springs, lock shoes and shoe pin in housing.
    NOTE: With tilt lever opening on left side, shoes facing up, the four slot shoe is on left.

    Use a 0.180" rod to line up shoes for pin installation. Install shoe release lever, spring and pin.

    NOTE: To reduce load on release lever, hold shoes inward and wedge a block between top of shoes and bearing housing.

    Install sector drive shaft and lightly tap sector onto shaft and install snap ring. Install lock bolt and engage with sector cam surface. Install rack and spring. Block tooth on rack should engage same on sector. Install external tilt release lever. Install lock bolt spring and tighten screw.

  5. Extend rack downward from housing and assemble housing over steering shaft. Engage rack over end of actuator rod. With tilt release lever, hold lock shoes in the disengaged position and position housing over shaft so pivot pin holes line up. Install pivot pins using a brass drift. Place housing in full up position and install tilt spring guide, spring and retainer. Install upper bearing inner race and race seat. Install tilt and turn signal lever opening shields as equipped. Remove tilt release lever and install turn signal housing. Install tilt release lever and shift lever
  6. Install 3 screws securing cover to housing assembly. Position wedge spring on buzzer switch, push switch and spring into hole in housing with switch contacts pointing up. Position turn signal switch in neutral position and install 3 screws.
  7. Install hazard warning flasher button and check operation. Assemble ignition switch on actuator rod and adjust. Align key cylinder lock with keyway in housing and push lock all the way in. Install retaining screw and tighten. To complete reassembly, reverse disassembly procedure.
    NOTE: All friction parts EXCEPT ignition lock assembly are to be lubricated with a light coat of lithium grease.
TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS

Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Steering Wheel Nut
  American Motors 25 (34)
  Chrysler Corp. 45 (61)
  General Motors 30 (41)
Bracket-to-Column Nuts 15-25 (20-34)
Bracket-to-instrument Panel Stud Nuts (1)15-25 (20-34)
Flexible Coupling Nuts 20 (27)
Flexible Coupling-to-Shaft Bolt 30 (41)
(1) Do not exceed 25 ft. lbs. to prevent crushing capsules.
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