1988 PONTIAC FIERO Service Repair Manual

385-2 STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS
Fig. 385-2--The Flat on Worm Shaft
5. With wheels in a straight ahead position and the
steering gear on highpoint, check the steering
wheel alignment (Fig.
1). If the spokes are not
within the
limits specified, the wheel should be
removed
and centered. (See steering wheel
removal in this section).
NOTICE: The outer mast jacket shift tube,
steering shaft and instrument panel mounting
bracket are designed as energy absorbing units.
Because of the design of these components, it is
absolutely necessary to handle the column with
care when performing any service operation.
Avoid hammering, jarring, dropping or leaning on
any portion of the column.
NOTICE: When reassembling the column
components, use only the specified screws, nuts
and bolts and tighten to specified torque. Care
should be exercised in using over-length screws or
bolts as they may prevent a portion of the column
from compressing under impact.
I COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
The front of dash mounting plates must be
loosened whenever the steering column is to be lowered
from the instrument panel.
Refer to Fig. 3B5-3 for view of column attachment
provisions.
1. Remove nut and bolt from upper intermediate
shaft coupling. Separate coupling from lower end
of steering column. See Figure
3B5-4.
] 2. Disconnect shift linkage from lower shift lever.
3. Disconnect all electrical connectors from column
assembly.
4. Remove screws securing toe pan cover to floor
5. Remove nuts securing bracket to instrument
panel.
ON-CAR SERVICE
STEERING COLUMN
To perform service procedures on the steering
column upper end components, it is not necessary to
remove the column from the vehicle.
The steering wheel, horn components, directional
signal switch, ignition lock cylinder and ignition key
warning switch may be removed with the column
remaining in the vehicle as described earlier in this
section.

STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS 385-3
ON-CAR SERVICE
NOTE - COUPLING SHIELD LATCH OF
Fig. 3B5-4 -- Intermediate Steering Shaft

385-4 STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS
ON-CAR SERVICE
Fig. 3B5-5 -- Park Lock Cable

STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS 385-6
Cars involved in accidents resulting in frame damage,
major body or sheet metal damage, or where the steering
column has
been impacted may also have a damaged or
misaligned steering column.
2. Check contact surface "A". (View B) The bolt head I must not contact surface "A" or shear load would be 1 Visw A
increased. If contact is made, replace bracket. -----------------
I ;he bolt head must not contect surface "A". If contact is made, 3. On cars with column shift, check operation of the I the capsule sheer load w~ll be increased-Replace brecket. shift lever. If you are able to move lever to "Park" posltion without raising lever, it IS an indication that the upper I shift tube plastic bearing is broken.
4. Check for jacket collapse by measuring the dlstance ( from edge of the back-up switch wlndow to the lower edge
of upper jacket. (Refer to View C for dimenslons.) If jacket dimenslons are not within specificat~ons a NEW jacket I must be instatled. Visually inspect for sheared injected plastlc I------- in the shift tube (V~ew D), and the steering shaft (View E). If either one, or both are sheared replace w~th NEW parts. I
MEASURE DISTANCE BETWEEN ARROW OF ILLUSTRATION.
Viaw C
~ig 3~5-6 -- Checking for Column Collapse

385.8 STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY
REMOVE
1. Disengage stone shield from boss on steering gear
housing or adapter. Remove pinch bolt from flexible
coupling.
2. Remove coupling clamp to steering shaft attaching bolt
and nut.
3. Push up
on intermediate shaft to remove from steering
gear stub shaft then pull down until coupling is removed
from steering shaft. INSTALL
1. Install
intermediate shaft on steering shaft and install bolt
and nut and torque nut to 60 N.m (44 ft. Ibs.)
2. Pull down on intermediate shaft to install on steering gear
stub shaft. Coupling mut be fully seated so splines are
not visa
le between coupling and gear. 40 N.m (30ft. Ibs.).
3. Engine 4 one shield on steering gear return hose nut.
1. SHIELD, lnter Strg Cplg 2. BOLT, Str~ Col to Gear (MI0 31) 3. SHAFT KIT, lnter Lwr Sew 4. SEAL, Sl~p Shf 5. SPRING, lnter Shf Preload 6. SHAFT KIT, lnter UD~ Sew 7. BOLT, lnter Shf Clamp (7/16"-20) 8. NUT, Hex (7/16"-20)
1 2. REMOVE STAKE MARKS
1. SEPARATE UPPER & LOWER
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
3/8" DIAMETER ROD
LOWER COUPLING
ASSEMBLY
COUPLING SUPPORT
SEPARATE SHAFTS BY
PRESSING THROUGH
FLEXIBLE COUPLING
WITH ROD. HAMMER
3. ASSEMBLE SLIP SHAFT /
STEERING COUPLING
SHIELD.
APPLY LITHIUM GREASE / // TO PRELOAD SPRING.
/ SLlP SHAFT SEAL
Fig. 385-7--Intermediate Shaft

STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS 385-7

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STEERING WHEELS AND COLUMNS 385-9
SUB SECTION A
INCLUDES: SHAR LOCK, TURN SIGNAL CANCELLING
CAM, UPPER BEARING SPRING, TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH,
BULZER SWITCH, AND CYLINDER LOCK SET
Tools Required:
J 23653-A Lock Plate Compressor
J 1859-03 Steering Wheel Puller
Remove or Disconnect
(Figure
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)
4 RING, RETAINING 5 LOCK, SHAFT
NOTICE: Wheels of car must be straight ahead. Failure to
do so may cause improper alignment of some components
during installation, resulting in column malfunction.
Key in "Lock position. Failure to do so will cause steering
- wheel to turn, (see above).
Figure 4. Removing Shaft Lock Retaining Ring
CAUTION: Disconnect battery. Failure to do so may
cause electrical
shock when working with wiring.
B HORN PAD
C SCREWS
1 RETAINER 2 NUT, HEXAGON
A STEERING WHEEL
B VELCRO FASTENE
C HORNASM
Figure 2. Removing Horn Pad, Retainer, and Jam Nut Figure
5. Remove Upper Shaft Components
8 SCREW,
BINDING HD CROSS RECESS 9. SCREW, RD WASH. HD (M4.2X1.41)
10 ARM, SIGNAL SWITCH
11 SWITCH ASM, TURN SIGNAL
D HAZARD KNOB
Figure 6. Turn Signal Switch Removal Preparation
Figure
3. Remove Steering Wheel
1. Horn Pad
2. Electrical Connectors 3. Retaiher (1) and jam nut (2) 4. Steering wheel, using J 1859-03, and cover 5. Shait lock retaining ring (4) using J 23653-A to depress
shaft lock (5)
6. Shaft lock (5) 7. Turn signal cancelling cam (6) 8. Upper bearing spring (7) Figure 7. Turn Signal Switch Removal