Grand Prix V6-3.8L SC VIN 1 (1997)
44.
From inside the vehicle, connect the intermediate shaft to the steering column. Tighten the bolt to 48 Nm (35 lb ft).
45.
Install the driver's side insulator panel under the IP.
46.
Add power steering fluid as necessary and bleed the system
47.
Check alignment and set toe-in as necessary.
48.
Install the GM Recall Identification Label.
Important
For U.S. and Canada: All replaced steering gears are to be held until a return request is received from the GM Warranty Parts Center (WPC).
For additional information, refer to service bulletin # 99-00-89-19B, issued February 2002. DO NOT RETURN REPLACED STEERING
GEARS TO GMSPO.
Lower Pinion Bearing Inspection
The following service procedure is for inspection of the lower pinion bearing and can be performed without completely removing the steering gear from
the vehicle.
Important
Tool J-44714-A is required to perform this service procedure.
1.
From inside the vehicle, remove the driver's side insulator panel from under the instrument panel (IP).
2.
Disconnect the intermediate steering shaft from the steering column.
3.
Open the hood.
4.
Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support.
5.
Support the rear of the engine frame (cradle) and remove the two rear attaching bolts.
6.
Lower the rear of the engine cradle as necessary to access steering gear.
7.
Remove the left and right side stabilizer bar links from the lower control arms.
8.
Reposition the stabilizer bar to improve access to the steering gear.
9.
Remove the bolts attaching the heat shield to the steering gear and remove the shield.
10.
Remove the two bolts that attach the steering gear to the engine cradle.
11.
Remove the steering gear from the cradle mounting brackets and reposition to access the lower pinion shaft dust cap.
Important
When removing the dust cap in the next step, watch for loose ball bearings that may have separated from the inner and outer pinion bearing
races.
12.
Remove the dust cap (3) from the steering gear housing (2) and inspect for loose ball bearings, see Figure 1.
^
If no ball bearings were found in the dust cap, proceed to the next step and replace the lower pinion bearing.
^
If one or more ball bearings were found loose in the dust cap, proceed to the section in this recall bulletin titled "Steering Gear Replacement"
for the described vehicles.
13.
Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (3) and the adjuster plug (2), see Figure 2. Do not remove the plug.
Important
If the stub shaft is not held in the next step, damage to the pinion teeth will occur.
14.
While holding the stub shaft (1), remove the retaining nut (4) from the pinion shaft, see Figure 1. Do not reuse the nut.
15.
Remove the lower remaining snap ring (1), see Figure 3.
