Steering Column Shaft Flex Coupler Inspection

STEERING GEAR TO STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE COUPLER
The steering column coupler MUST be replaced whenever any of the following conditions exist.
1. The steering column coupler must be replaced whenever a vehicle is involved in a collision which deploys the air bag, regardless of the extent of damage done to the vehicle.
2. If a vehicle is involved in an impact of the vehicles front suspension or under carriage, which results in any type of damage to the front suspension crossmember.
3. Under any conditions which result in the steering column assembly or steering column shaft receiving a force great enough to move the steering column or shaft forward of rearward in a vehicle.

STEERING COLUMN SHAFT FLEX COUPLER
If the steering column shaft flex coupler is diagnosed to be defective due to any of the following conditions: seized bearing, loose bearing stake or a bearing not fully seated in the yoke of the coupler assembly, the coupler can be serviced as a separate component of the steering column assembly.

The steering column assembly needs to be removed from the vehicle for replacement of the steering column shaft flex coupler assembly.