Steering Column: Testing and Inspection

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
The steering column intermediate shaft and its flexible joints must be inspected whenever any of the following conditions exist:
- After the vehicle has been involved in a collision which deploys the airbag, regardless of the extent of damage to the vehicle.
- After the vehicle has been involved in an undercarriage impact which results in any type of damage or bending of front suspension components or the frame of the vehicle.
- Under any conditions which result in the steering gear, steering column or steering column shaft receiving a force great enough to move the steering column or shaft forward or rearward in the vehicle.
Inspect the intermediate shaft and its flexible joints for any of the following conditions:
- seized or binding bearings
- loose bearing stakes
- bearings not fully seated
- shaft bent
Upon inspection, if any of the above conditions exist, replacement of the entire steering column intermediate shaft is necessary.