Steering Shaft, Lower Bearing, and Jacket - Disassemble - Off Vehicle

Tools Required 

• J 21854-01  Pivot Pin Remover
• J 41688  Centering Sphere Installer Tool

1. Disable the inflatable restraint steering wheel module. Refer to DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .
2. Remove the electronic lock module assembly. Refer to ELECTRONIC COLUMN LOCK MODULE - DISASSEMBLE - Off Vehicle .
3. Remove the tilt spring. Refer to TILT SPRING - DISASSEMBLE - Off Vehicle .
4. Remove the turn signal and multifunction switch assembly. Refer to TURN SIGNAL AND MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ASSEMBLY - DISASSEMBLE - Off Vehicle .
5. Remove the linear shift assembly. Refer to LINEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY - DISASSEMBLE - Off Vehicle .
Fig 1: Lower Steering Shaft Components
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Remove the steering shaft seal (6).
7. Remove the sensor retainer (5).
8. Remove the lower spring retainer (4).
9. Remove the lower bearing spring (3).
10. Remove the lower bearing seat (2).
11. Remove the adapter and bearing assembly (1).
12. Remove the 2 pivot pins (3) from the steering column support assembly (1) using the tool J 21854-01. 
    Fig 2: Steering Column Support Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Remove the tilt head assembly (1) from the steering column jacket (2) with the lower steering shaft (3) still attached.
    Fig 3: Tilt Head Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Remove the tilt head assembly (1) from the steering shaft assembly (2).
    Fig 4: Steering Shaft Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: Mark the upper shaft assembly and the lower steering shaft assembly to ensure proper assembly. Failure to assemble properly will cause the steering wheel to be turned 180 degrees.
15. Tilt the upper shaft assembly (1) 90 degrees to the lower steering shaft assembly (2) and disengage.
    Fig 5: Upper Shaft Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. Insert the race and upper shaft assembly (1) into J 41688. 
17. Insert J 41688  into a vise.
Fig 6: Disengaging Centering Sphere From Race & Upper Shaft Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
18. Rotate the driver 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction in order to disengage the centering sphere from the race and upper shaft assembly.
19. Remove the race and upper shaft assembly (1) from J 41688. 
20. Remove the shaft preload spring and the centering sphere from J 41688. 
21. If necessary, discard the old centering sphere and the old shaft preload spring.
22. Remove the 4 TORX® screws (2) from the steering column support assembly (1).
    Fig 7: Steering Column Support Assembly

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.