Steering Column - Removal and Installation

Fig. 16 Typical shift indicator cable installation:

OLDSMOBILE REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS & 1982---85 TORONADO
Removal
1. Disconnect battery ground cables and remove clamp bolt from coupling at lower end of steering column shaft.
2. Disconnect shift linkage from shift lever.
3. Remove left lower instrument panel trim covers and sound insulators, and if column is to be disassembled, remove steering wheel.
4. Remove lower cover and toe pan retaining screws, noting position of toe plate screw with mounting stud for cover retainer, if equipped.
5. On column shift auto. trans., disconnect shift indicator cable from column shift bowl, Fig. 16.
6. Support column and remove upper bracket capsule retaining nuts, then lower column, noting installation position of shims, if used.
7. Disconnect column electrical connectors and remove steering column assembly. If spacers are used, retain for use during installation.
8. If necessary to remove intermediate shaft, remove cover, nut and bolt from clamp, then disconnect shaft from steering gear.

Fig. 16 Typical shift indicator cable installation:

Fig. 1 Steering column installation (Typical). Buick Rear Wheel Drive & 1982---85 Riviera; Oldsmobile Rear Wheel Drive & 1982---85 Toronado & 1982---84 Pontiac Intermediate exc. front wheel drive:

Installation
1. If intermediate shaft was removed, install intermediate shaft on steering gear shaft and torque nut to 30 lb ft
2. Carefully position column from inside of vehicle through cowl opening.
3. Connect all wiring to column.
4. Raise column and loosely install nuts (A and B), Fig. 1. If spacers were removed, install equal thickness on each side.
5. Install intermediate shaft onto steering column shaft. Install clamp bolt and nut and torque to 50 lb ft
6. Check flex coupling for alignment. If coupling is not properly aligned, it will be necessary to move column assembly. Flex coupling must be straight within 1/16 inch without bottoming intermediate shaft coupling.
7. Install toe pan screws. Torque toe pan clamp bolts to 60 lb in and toe pan screws to 45 lb in
8. Torque steering column bracket nuts (A and B) to 20 lb ft
9. If equipped with column shift automatic transmission, connect and adjust shift indicator cable as shown in Fig. 16.
10. Check flex coupling and intermediate shaft for bottoming. If either is bottoming, it will be necessary to loosen toe pan clamp bolts and steering column bracket nuts (A and B), then lift upward and rearward on column assembly. Torque toe pan clamp bolts to 60 lb in and steering column bracket nuts (A and B) to 20 lb ft
11. Install cover over toe pan and lower trim panel on instrument panel.
12. Install steering wheel if removed.
13. Install flex coupling shield, then connect battery ground cable.
14. Adjust neutral safety switch and or back-up light switch.