Steering Column Accident Damage Inspection - Off Vehicle. Oldsmobile Cutlass 1998

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Important: A damaged or a misaligned steering column may result in vehicles involved in accidents with the following conditions:

•	Frame damage

•	Major body or sheet metal damage

•	Where the steering column has been impacted

•	Where supplemental inflatable restraint systems deployed

Inspect the capsules on the steering column bracket assembly by pushing or pulling the capsule by hand. All capsules must be securely seated in their bracket slots. If the capsules are loose, perform one of the following procedures:

-	If the bracket is bolted to the jacket assembly, replace the bracket.

-	If the bracket is welded to the jacket assembly, replace the jacket assembly.

•	Inspect the jacket assembly for collapse by measuring the distance from the lower edge of the upper jacket to a defined point on the lower jacket. If the measured dimensions are not within specifications, install a new jacket.

•	Visually inspect the shift tube for sheared injected plastic. If the shift tube shows sheared plastic, install a new shift tube.

•	Inspect the operation of the shift lever. If you can move the lever to the park position without raising the lever, the upper shift tube plastic bearing may be broken.

•	Visually inspect the steering shaft for sheared injected plastic (1). If the steering shaft shows sheared plastic, install a new steering shaft.

•	Test the runout of the steering shaft. Using a dial indicator at the lower end of the steering shaft, rotate the steering wheel. Runout must not exceed 1.60 mm.