Page 851 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 851
TILT COLUMNS WITHOUT AIR BAG
Fig. 1: Tilt column assembly
CAUTION - All elements of energy -absorbing (telescopic) steering columns are
very sensitive to damage. Do not strike any part of the column (nuts, bolts, etc.)
as this could ruin the entire assembly.
1. Disconnect the battery cable.
2. Remove the steering w heel as outlined earlier.
3. Remove the cover from the steering column shaft.
4. Press down on the lockplate and pr y the snapring from the shaft.
5. Remove the lockplate and the canceling cam.
6. Remove the upper bearing preload spring.
7. Remove the turn signal lever and the hazard flasher knob.
8. Lift up on the tilt lever and position the housing in its central position.
9. Remove the switch attaching screws.
10. Remove the lower trim cap from the instrument panel and disconnect the
turn signal connector from the wiring harness.
11. Remove the four bolts which secure the bracket assembly to the jacket.
12. Loosen the screw that holds the sh ift indicator needle and disconnect the
clip from the link.
Page 852 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 852
13. Remove the two nuts fr
om the column support bracket while holding the
column in position. Remove the br acket assembly and wire protector
from the wiring, then l oosely install the support column bracket.
14. Tape the turn signal wires at the c onnector to keep them fit and parallel.
15. Carefully remove the turn signal switch and wiring from the column.
To install: 16. Carefully install the turn signal switch and wiring into the column.
17. Remove the tape from the turn signal wires.
18. Install the wire protecto r and, while holding the colu mn in position, install
the two nuts to the colu mn support bracket.
19. Connect the clip to the link and ti ghten the screw that holds the shift
indicator needle.
20. Install the four bolts which secure the bracket assembly to the jacket.
21. Connect the turn signal connector to the wiring harness and install the
lower trim cap to the instrument panel.
22. Install the switch attaching screws.
23. Install the turn signal lever and the hazard flasher knob.
24. Install the upper bear ing preload spring.
25. Install the lockplate and the canceling cam.
26. Press down on the lockplate and inst all the snapring to the shaft using a
new snapring.
27. Install the cover to t he steering column shaft.
28. Install the steering wheel.
29. Connect the battery cable.
Page 853 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 853
STEERING COLUMN WITH AIR BAG
Fig. 2: Turn signal switch, w/air bag
1. Properly disable the SIR air bag system.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the inflator module.
4. Remove the steering wheel.
5. Ensure the steering wheel is locked in the straight-ahead position and
remove the coil assembly retaining ring.
6. Pull the coil assembly out and allow it to hang.
7. Using a suitable tool, depress the lock plate to gain access to the
snapring. Remove the snapring and remove the lockplate.
8. Remove the turn signal cancelin g cam, upper bearing spring and signal
switch arm.
9. Remove the hazard warning knob, tu rn signal lever and steering column
wiring protector.
10. Disconnect the turn signal switch connector from the harness connector.
11. Remove the switch retaining screws and remove the turn signal switch.
12. Installation is the reverse of t he removal procedure. Make certain to
follow the SIR coil adjustment pr ocedure previously described.
Page 856 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 856
1. Properly disable the SIR
air bag system, if equipped.
2. Place the lock in the Run position.
3. Remove the lock plate, turn signal switch and buzzer switch.
4. Remove the screw and lock cylinder.
CAUTION - If the screw is dropped on removal, it could fall into the column,
requiring complete disassembly to retrieve the screw.
To install:
5. Rotate the cylinder clockwise to a lign cylinder key with the keyway in the
housing.
6. Push the lock all the way in.
7. Install the screw. Tighten the screw to 14 inch lbs. (1.5 Nm) for
adjustable columns and 25 inch lbs. (2.8 Nm) for standard columns. Re-
center the SIR coil assembly as previously directed.
STEERING COLUMN
WARNING - Before attempting any repairs involving the steering wheel or
disassembly of it, ensure that the Supple mental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bag)
system is properly disarmed.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
The front of the dash mount ing plates must be loosened whenever the steering
column is to be lowered from the instrument panel.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. On 1990-92 vehicles, disable the S upplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR)
system as follows: a. Turn the steering wheel so th e vehicle's wheels are pointing
straight-ahead.
The wheels of the vehicle must be in the straight-ahead position
and the steering column in the locked position before proceeding
with steering column remo val. Failure to follow this procedure will
cause the SIR coil to become uncentered, resulting in damage to
the coil assembly.
b. Remove the SIR fuse from the fuse block.
c. Remove the left sound insulator by removing the nut from the stud
and gently prying the insulator from the knee bolster.
d. Disconnect the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and yellow 2-way SIR harness connector at the base of the steering column.
3. Remove the nut and bolt from t he upper intermediate shaft coupling.
Separate the coupling from the lo wer end of the steering column.
4. Remove the steering w heel, if the column is to be replaced or repaired
on the bench.
5. Remove the knee bolster and bracket, if equipped.
Page 857 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 857
6. Remove the bolts attaching the toe plate to the cowl.
7. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
8. Remove the capsule nuts attachi
ng the steering column support bracket
to the instrument panel.
9. Disconnect the park lock cable from the ignition switch inhibitor, if
equipped with automatic transmission.
10. Remove the steering column from the vehicle.
To install:
If a replacement steering column is bein g installed, do not remove the anti-
rotation pin until after the steering co lumn has been connected to the steering
gear. Removing the anti-rotation pin before the steering column is connected to
the steering gear may dam age the SIR coil assembly.
11. Position the steering column in the vehicle.
12. Connect the park lock cable to the ig nition switch inhibitor on vehicles
with automatic transmission.
13. Install the capsule nuts attaching the steering column support bracket to
the instrument panel and tighten to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
14. Install the nut and bolt to the upper intermediate shaft coupling attaching
the upper intermediate shaft to the steer ing column. Tighten the nut to 44
ft. lbs. (60 Nm).
15. Install the bolts attaching the toe pl ate to the cowl and tighten to 58 inch
lbs. (6.5 Nm).
16. Connect the electrical connectors.
17. Remove the anti-rotation pin if a se rvice replacement steering column is
being installed.
18. Install the knee bolster and bracket, if equipped.
19. Install the sound insulator panel.
If SIR coil has become uncentered by turni ng of the steering wheel without the
column connected to the st eering gear, follow the proper adjustment procedure
for the SIR coil assembly before proceeding.
20. Install the steering wheel.
21. Connect the negative battery cable.
22. Enable the SIR system as follows: a. Connect the yellow 2-way SIR harness connector to the base of
the steering column and CPA clip and install the SIR fuse.
b. Install the left sound insulator.
c. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position and verify that the
inflatable restraint indicator fl ashes 7-9 times and then turns OFF.
If the indicator does not respond as stated, a problem within the
SIR system is indicated.
Page 866 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 866
Fig. 4: Using a spanner wrench to align the adjuster plug with the second mark
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering gear.
3. Rotate the stub shaft and drain the power steering fluid into a suitable
container.
4. Remove the adjuster plug nut.
5. Turn the adjuster plug in (clock wise) using a suitable spanner wrench
until the adjuster plug and thrust bearing are firmly bottomed in the
housing. Tighten the adjuster plug to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm).
6. Place an index mark on the housi ng even with 1 of the holes in the
adjuster plug.
7. Measure back counterclockwise
1/2 in. (13mm) and place a second mark
on the housing.
8. Turn the adjuster plug counterclock wise until the hole in the adjuster plug
is aligned with the second mark on the housing.
9. Install the adjuster plug nut and using a suitable punch in a notch, tighten
securely. Hold the adjuster plug to ma intain alignment of the marks.
10. Install the steering gear and c onnect the negative battery cable.
Page 867 of 875
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 867
Pitman Shaft Over-Center
Fig. 5: Aligning the stub sha ft parallel with the top cover
Fig. 6: Checking the over-center rotational torque
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering gear.
Page 868 of 875

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 868
3. Rotate the stub shaft and drain the
power steering fluid into a suitable
container.
4. Turn the Pitman shaft adjuster screw counterclockwise until fully
extended, then turn back 1 full turn.
5. Rotate the stub shaft from stop-to -stop and count the number of turns.
6. Starting at either stop, turn the stub shaft back half the total number of
turns. This is the "Center" posit ion of the gear. When the gear is
centered, the flat on the stub sha ft should face upward and be parallel
with the side cover, and the master spline on the Pitman shaft should be\
in line with the adjuster screw.
7. Rotate the stub shaft 45 degrees each side of the center using a suitable
torque wrench with the hand le in the vertical position. Record the worm
bearing preload measured on or near the center gear position.
8. Adjust the over-center drag torque by loosening the adjuster locknut and
turning the Pitman shaft adjuster screw clockwise until the correct drag
torque is obtained: Add 6-10 inch lbs. (0.7-1.1 Nm) of torque to the
previously measured wo rm bearing preload torque. Tighten the adjuster
locknut to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm). Prev ent the adjuster screw from turning
while tightening the adju ster screw locknut.
9. Install the steering gear and c onnect the negative battery cable.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
Fig. 7: Steering gear removal
1. Disconnect the negative battery cabl e. Remove the coupling shield.
2. Remove the retaining bolts at t he steering coupling to steering shaft
flange.
3. Remove the Pitman arm nut and wa sher. Mark the relation of the arm
position to the shaft.