Steering - Wheel Slightly Oscillates Underload

91oldsmobile05

NUMBER: 92-T-07

CORP.REF.NO: 103202R

DATE: October 1991

SECTION: 3B, 3F


SUBJECT: SLIGHT STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION
OR POOR ON-CENTER FEEL
- NEW SERVICE PART

MODELS/YEARS: 1992 EIGHTY EIGHT
AND 1991-92 NINETY EIGHT


CONDITION: On some 1992 Eighty Eight and 1991-92 Ninety Eight models, the steering wheel may slighty oscillate back and forth, with the vehicle under load, on a straight level road or up a slight grade.

Poor On-Center Feel - The vehicle may feel like it wants to wander or drift slightly without a solid feel in the middle of the steering travel.

OSCILLATION CORRECTION: A new steering damper (P/N 26031285, which is currently available from GMSPO) has been released for service. Follow the installation procedure listed below.

Disassembly:
Refer to Section 3F5 of the service manual to view the lower steering column components.
1. Disable the SIR system as shown in Section 3F of the service manual.
2. Loosen the intermediate shaft joint bolt and pull the intermediate shaft off the end of the column.
Note: It may be necessary to spread the intermediate shaft joint for ease of removal.
3. Remove the bearing and seal retainer. Remove and discard the lower spring retainer, lower spring and lower bearing seat.







4. Separate the retainer washer assembly from the bearing, seal retainer and discard the retainer washerassembly only (see Figure 1).
Note: Inspect the bearing and seal retainer and replace if damaged.

Reassembly:
1. Install the new lower bearing seat, the new lower spring (new spring is shorter than the old one) and the new lower spring retainer (see Figure 1).
2. Compress the lower spring to a length of 16 mm (5/8 in.) and secure at that length with the lower spring retainer.

3. Place 7 or 8 drops of super glue such as Locktite(R) 380 (or equivalent) around the perimeter of the bearing and seal retainer. Install the new retainer washer in the old bearing, seal retainer and snap into position.

4. Install the bearing and seal assembly with the protector in place onto the end of the steering column shaft.

5. Snap the bearing and seal retainer onto the column jacket. Remove the washer assembly protector from the shaft and discard.
6. Reinstall the intermediate shaft and boot as per Section 3F of the service manual.

POOR ON-CENTER FEEL CORRECTION:

1. Refer to Section 3B of the Service Manual to remove the rack bearing adjuster spring.
2. Replace the spring with P/N 26030764, which is currently available from GMSPO.






3. ADJUSTMENT - Make adjustment with the front wheels raised and steering wheel centered. Be sure tocheck returnability of the steering wheel to center after adjustment (see Figure 2).
4. Turn the adjuster plug until it bottoms in the housing.
5. Back the plug off 50 to 70 degrees (approximately one flat).
6. Tighten the lock nut to the adjuster plug 70 N-m (50 lb.ft.) while holding the adjuster plug stationary.


WARRANTY INFORMATION:
Labor Operation Number:
Install Oscillation Damper T5236
Labor Time:
Ninety Eight & Touring Sedan 0.7 hour
Eighty Eight 0.8 hour
Labor Operation Number:
Install Rack Bearing Adjuster Spring T5237
Labor Time:
All Affected Vehicles 0.4 hour
Trouble Code: 92