1992 - 1993 Corvette: Service Bulletin: Steering Column Popping Noise

Subject: STEERING COLUMN POPPING NOISE (REPLACE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT)
Model and Year:
1992-93 PASSENGER CARS EXCEPT CHEVROLET CAVALIER, GEO AND PONTIAC LEMANS
1992-93 LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EXCEPT GEO TRACKER
Source: Chevrolet Service Bulletin
Bulletin Number: 33-32-10A

THIS BULLETIN IS BEING RE-PUBLISHED TO ADD THE LABOR TIME FOR LABOR OPERATION NUMBER E7310.

VEHICLES AFFECT HAVE TILT STEERING COLUMNS (ROUNDS STYLE) WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE "W" SERIES (SQUARE STYLE).

CONDITION:

SOME OWNERS OF VEHICLES WITH INTEGRAL TILT STEERING COLUMNS MAY HEAR A POP NOISE WHEN TURNING. THE NOISE OCCURS SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE DRIVER IS MAKING NORMAL STEERING TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION AND GENERALLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS RETURNING TO CENTER.

Cause:

THE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE A POP NOISE. THE PART MAY HAVE A BURR ON THE INSIDE SKIRT.

CORRECTION:

TO VERIFY THAT THE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE POP NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN, USE THE FOLLOWING METHOD:

1. ENGAGE THE PARK BRAKE AND START THE ENGINE.

2. POINT THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AHEAD.

3. WHILE LISTENING FOR A POP NOISE, ROTATE THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION TO THE WHEEL STOP. SLOWLY RETURN THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. IF THE NOISE IS NOT HEARD, DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED LISTENING FOR THE NOISE TO OCCUR.

IMPORTANT: WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN IS WARM, THE POP NOISE WILL BE MORE AUDIBLE.

4. IF A POP NOISE IS HEARD, REPLACE THE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT WITH P/N 7815184. RETURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER WITH THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD. TURN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER TO "LOCK" POSITION AND THEN BEGIN THE REPAIR. REFER TO SECTION 3F5A/3F5B IN THE SERVICE MANUAL TO REPLACE THE UPPER BEARING INNER RACE SEAT

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.