3E- 42 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
GT STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
Description of Steering
Column
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS: (Not
Applicable)
MAJOR REPAIR:
Removal and
Installation
of
Steering Wheel
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and Installation of Ignition Lock
Cylinder
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and Installation of Steering Column
Assembly
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and Installation of Center Steering Shaft
Removal and Installation of Ignition Switch
and/or Steering Lock
.,~
,........
~
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and Installation of Upper Steering
Bearing and/or Directional Signal Switch
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Removal and Installation of Steering Column
Lower Bearing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS:
Steering Column Torques
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page No.
3E-42
3E-44
3E-45
3E-45
3E-46
3E-46
3E-48
3E-49
3E-50
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
DESCRIPTION OF STEERING COLUMN
The Energy Abosrbing, Locking Steering .Column
assembly is used on the GT. This cohnnn is designed
to compress under impact. When an automobile is
being driven, the forward movement of the automo-
bile and the forward movement of the driver both
constitute a form of energy or force. When an au-
tomobile is involved in a frontal collision, the pri-
mary force (forward movement of the car) is
suddenly halted, while the secondary force (the
driver) continues its forward direction. A severe col-
lision generally involves these two forces
-
the pri-
mary and the secondary forces. The secondary
jmpact occurs when the driver is thrust forward onto
the steering wheel and column.
The Energy Absorbing Column is designed to absorb
these primary and secondary forces to the extent that
the severity of the secondary impact is reduced. Dur-
ing a collision, the steering column compresses and
thereby reduces its tendency to move rearward into
the driver’s compartment. A split second later when
the driver is thrown forward (the secondary impact)
his energy is also partially abosrbed by the compres-
sion characteristics of the column.
The Energy Absorbing, Locking Column assembly
may be easily disassembled and reassembled. The
serviceman should be aware that it is important that
only the specified screws, bolts and nuts be used as
designated during reassembly, and that they are
tightened to their specified torque. This precaution
will insure the energy absorbing action of the assem-
bly. Particular care should be exercised to avoid us-
ing overlength bolts as they may prevent a portion of
the assembly from compressing under impact.
Equally as important is correct torquing of all bolts
and nuts.
When the Energy Absorbing, Locking Column is
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