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 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 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.
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GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 871
6. Refill the pump with fluid and
bleed by turning the pulley
counterclockwise (viewed from the front). Stop the bleeding when air
bubbles no longer appear.
7. Install the pump belt on the pulley and adjust the tension.
SYSTEM BLEEDING 1. Fill the reservoir with power steering fluid.
The use of automatic transmission flui d in the power steering system is NOT
recommended.
2. Allow the reservoir and fluid to sit undisturbed for a few minutes.
3. Start the engine, allow it to run for a mome nt, then turn it off.
4. Check the reservoir fluid level and add fluid if necessary.
5. Repeat the above steps until the fluid level stabilizes.
6. Raise the front of the vehicle so that the wheels are off of the ground.
7. Start the engine and increase t he engine speed to about 1500 rpm.
8. Turn the front wheels right to le ft (and back) several times, lightly
contacting the wheel stops at the ends of travel.
9. Check the reservoir fluid level. Add fluid as required.
10. Repeat step 8 until the fluid leve l in the reservoir stabilizes.
11. Lower the vehicle and repeat steps 8 and 9.