Chevrolet Trax: Steering column replacement (CANADA, NJ1)

Removal Procedure

CAUTION:

With wheels of the vehicle facing straight ahead, secure the steering wheel utilizing steering column anti-rotation pin, steering column lock, or a strap to prevent rotation. Locking of the steering column will prevent damage and a possible malfunction of the SIR system.

The steering wheel must be secured in position before disconnecting the following components:

• The steering column
• The intermediate shaft(s)
• The steering gear

After disconnecting these components, do not rotate the steering wheel or move the front tires and wheels. Failure to follow this procedure may cause the SIR coil assembly to become un-centered and cause possible damage to the SIR coil. If you think the SIR coil has become un-centered, refer to your specific SIR coil's centering procedure to re-center SIR Coil.

1. With the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, LOCK the steering column.
2. Remove the steering column lower trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement (Trax), Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement (Encore).
3. If equipped, remove the drivers side instrument panel lower airbag. Refer to Instrument Panel Lower Airbag Replacement - Driver Side (AYF) .
4. Remove the instrument panel knee bolster inner bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Inner Bracket Replacement .
5. Remove the instrument panel knee bolster outer bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Outer Bracket Replacement .
6. Remove the left side floor front air outlet duct. Refer to Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side (Encore) , Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side (Trax) .
7. Disconnect electrical connections as needed.

Fig. 32: Intermediate Steering Shaft And Steering Gear Pinion Shaft

8. Place match marks on the intermediate steering shaft (1) and the steering gear pinion shaft (3).
9. Remove the intermediate steering shaft lower bolt (2).
10. Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft (1) from the steering gear pinion shaft (3).

CAUTION: Do not support the steering column by only the lower or upper support bracket. Damage to the column lower bearing adapter could result.

11. Support the steering column.

Fig. 33: Steering Column Lower Support Bracket

12. Remove the 2 steering column lower support bracket bolts (1).

Fig. 34: Steering Column Upper Support Bracket

13. Remove the 2 steering column upper support bracket bolts (1).

CAUTION: Once the steering column is removed from the vehicle, the column is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping the column assembly on the end could collapse the steering shaft or loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. Leaning on the column assembly could cause the jacket to bend or deform. Any of the above damage could impair the columns collapsible design. Do NOT hammer on the end of the shaft, because hammering could loosen the plastic injections, which maintain column rigidity. If you need to remove the steering wheel, refer to the Steering Wheel Replacement procedure in this section.

14. Remove the steering column assembly from the vehicle.
15. Transfer components as needed.

Installation Procedure

CAUTION: Do NOT allow the wiring harness to be pinched between the motor/module assembly and the steering column during installation.

A pinched harness will cause diagnostic trouble codes to be set and may require replacement of the steering column.

NOTE: If replacing the steering column, copy the match marks from the old column to the new column.

1. Position the steering column assembly in the vehicle.

Fig. 35: Steering Column Upper Support Bracket

WARNING:

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.

CAUTION: Ensure all fasteners are securely seated before applying needed torque. Failure to do so may result in component damage or malfunctioning of steering column.

2. Install, but do not tighten, the 2 steering column upper support bracket bolts (1).

Fig. 36: Steering Column Lower Support Bracket

3. Install, but do not tighten, the 2 steering column lower support bracket bolts (1).

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

4. Tighten the 2 steering column lower support bracket bolts (1) to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).
5. Tighten the 2 steering column upper support bracket bolts (1) to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).
6. Connect any electrical connections previously disconnected

Fig. 37: Intermediate Steering Shaft And Steering Gear Pinion Shaft

7. Align the match marks and connect the intermediate steering shaft (1) to the steering gear pinion shaft (3).
8. Install the intermediate steering shaft lower bolt (2) and tighten to 49 (36 lb ft).
9. Install the left side floor front air outlet duct. Refer to Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side (Encore) , Floor Front Air Outlet Duct Replacement - Left Side (Trax) .
10. Install the instrument panel knee bolster outer bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Outer Bracket Replacement .
11. Install the instrument panel knee bolster inner bracket. Refer to Instrument Panel Knee Bolster Inner Bracket Replacement .
12. If equipped, install the drivers side instrument panel lower airbag. Refer to Instrument Panel Lower Airbag Replacement - Driver Side (AYF) .
13. Install the steering column lower trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement (Trax), Steering Column Lower Trim Cover Replacement (Encore).
14. Set up the power steering control module. Refer to Power Steering Control Module Programming and Setup .
15. Center the steering angle sensor. Refer to Steering Angle Sensor Centering

READ NEXT: