1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO steering column

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 848
1982-89 VEHICLES

Fig. 1: Steering wheel removal
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the horn pad.
3. Disconnect the horn contact lead.
4. Remove the retainer and steering wheel nut.
5. Using a suitable steering wheel pu ller, remove the steering wheel.
6. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Tighten the steering
wheel nut to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm).
1990-92 VEHICLES
CAUTION - The vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR) system, follow the recommended disarming procedures before performing
any work on or around the system. Failure to do so may result in possibl\
e
deployment of the air bag and/or personal injury.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
1. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system as follows:
a. Turn the steering wheel so th e vehicle's wheels are pointing
straight-ahead.
b. Remove the left sound insulator by removing the nut from the stud
and gently prying the insulator from the knee bolster.
c. Disconnect the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) clip and yellow 2-way SIR harness connecto r at the base of the steering
column.
d. Remove the SIR fuse from the fuse block.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 849
2. Loosen the screws and lo
cknuts from the back of the steering wheel
using a suitable Torx® driver or equi valent, until the inflator module can
be released from the steering wheel. Remove the inflator module from
the steering wheel.
CAUTION - When carrying a live inflator modul e, ensure the bag and trim cover
are pointed away from the body. In ca se of an accidental deployment, the bag
will then deploy with minima l chance of injury. When placing a live inflator
module on a bench or other surface, a lways place the bag and trim cover up,
away from the surface. This is necessa ry so a free space is provided to allow
the air bag to expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment. Otherwise,
personal injury may result. Also, never carry the inflator module by the wires or
connector on the underside of the module.
4. Disconnect the coil assembly connec tor and CPA clip from the inflator
module terminal.
5. Remove the steering wheel locking nut.
6. Using a suitable pulle r, remove the steering wheel and disconnect the
horn contact. When attaching the steer ing wheel puller, use care to
prevent threading the side screws into the coil assembly and damaging
the coil assembly.
To install: 7. Route the coil assembly connec tor through the steering wheel.
8. Connect the horn contact and install the steering wheel. When installing
the steering wheel, ali gn the block tooth on the steering wheel with the
block tooth on the steering shaft within 1 female serration.
9. Install the steering wheel locking nu t. Tighten the nut to 31 ft. lbs. (42
Nm).
10. Connect the coil assembly connector and CPA clip to the inflator module
terminal.
11. Install the inflator module. Ensu re the wiring is not exposed or trapped
between the inflator modul e and the steering wheel. Tighten the inflator
module screws to 25 inch lbs. (2.8 Nm).
12. Connect the negative battery cable.
13. Enable the SIR system as follows: a. Connect the yellow 2-way SIR harness connector to base of the steering column and CPA.
b. Install the left sound insulator.
c. Install the SIR fuse in the fuse block.
d. 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.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 850
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

WARNING - Before attempting any repai
rs involving the steering wheel or
disassembly of it, ensure that the Supple mental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bag)
system is properly disarmed.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
STANDARD COLUMNS WITHOUT AIR BAG 1. Remove the steering wheel as pr eviously outlined. Remove the trim
cover.
2. Pry the cover off, and lift the cover off the shaft.
3. Position the U-shaped lockplate co mpressing tool on the end of the
steering shaft and compress the lock plate by turning the shaft nut
clockwise. Pry the wire snapri ng out of the shaft groove.
4. Remove the tool and lift t he lockplate off the shaft.
5. Remove the canceling cam assembly and upper bearing preload spring from the shaft.
6. Remove the turn signal lever. Pu sh the flasher knob in and unscrew it.
On models equipped with a button and a knob, remove the button
retaining screw, then remove the button, spring, and knob.
7. Pull the switch connect or out the mast jacket and tape the upper part to
facilitate switch removal. Attach a l ong piece of wire to the turn signal
switch connector. When in stalling the turn signal switch, feed this wire
through the column first, and then use this wire to pull the switch
connector into position. On tilt wheel s, place the turn signal and shifter
housing in low position and remove the harness cover.
8. Remove the three switch mounting screws. Remove the switch by pulling
it straight up while guiding the wir ing harness cover through the column.
To install: 9. Install the replacement switch by working the connector and cover down
through the housing and under the bracket. On tilt models, the connector
is worked down through the housing, under the bracket, and then the
cover is installed on the harness.
10. Install the switch mounting screw s and the connector on the mast jacket
bracket. Install the column -to-dash trim plate.
11. Install the flasher knob and the turn signal lever.
12. With the turn signal lever in neutral and the fl asher knob out, slide the
upper bearing preload spring, and canc eling cam assembly onto the
shaft.
13. Position the lock plate on the s haft and press it down until a new
snapring can be inserted in the shaft groove. Always use a new snapring
when assembling.
14. Install the cover and the steering wheel.

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.

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.

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.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 854
IGNITION SWITCH

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.
REPLACEMENT

Fig. 1: Ignition switch
The switch is located inside the channe l section of the brake pedal support and
is completely inaccessible without firs t lowering the steering column. The switch
is actuated by a rod and rack assembly . A gear on the end of the lock cylinder
engages the toothed upper end of the rod.
1. Lower the steering column; be sure to properly support it.
2. Put the switch in the Off-Unlocked position. The Off-Unlocked position is
two detents from the top.
3. Remove the two switch screws and remove the switch assembly.
To install: 4. Before installing, place the new switch in the Off-Unlocked position.
Make sure the lock cylinder and actuating rod are in the Off-Unlocked
(second detent from th e top) position.
5. Install the activating rod into the switch and assemble the switch on the
column. Tighten the mount ing screws. Use only the specified screws
since overlength screws could impair the collapsibility of the column.
6. Reinstall the steering column.

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.