Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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HOMESERVICE MANUALSCHEVROLET1990HI-CUBE 7.4 N, 400/M40REPAIR AND DIAGNOSIS (SINGLE PAGE)GENERAL INFORMATIONBASIC TROUBLE SHOOTINGBASIC TROUBLE SHOOTING - GENERAL INFORMATIONSTEERING & SUSPENSIONSTEERING COLUMN TROUBLE SHOOTING
1990 Chevrolet Hi-Cube 7.4 N, 400/M40
Steering Column Trouble Shooting
1990 Chevrolet Hi-Cube 7.4 N, 400/M40SECTION Steering Column Trouble Shooting
NOTE:
This is GENERAL
information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
BASIC STEERING COLUMN TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
| CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE | CORRECTION | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise in Steering | ||
| Coupling pulled apart | See STEERING COLUMNS article | |
| Column not correctly aligned | See STEERING COLUMNS article | |
| Broken lower joint | Replace joint | |
| Horn contact ring not | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Bearing not lubricated | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Shaft snap ring not properly seated | Reseat or replace snap ring | |
| Plastic spherical joint not lubricated | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Shroud or housing loose | Tighten holding screws | |
| Lock plate retaining ring not seated | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Loose sight shield | Tighten holding screws | |
| High Steering Shaft Effort | ||
| Column assembly misaligned | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Improperly installed dust shield | Adjust or replace | |
| Tight steering universal joint | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| High Shift Effort | ||
| Column is out of alignment | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Improperly installed dust shield | Adjust or replace | |
| Seals or bearings not lubricated | See STEERING COLUMNS article | |
| Mounting bracket screws too long | Replace with new shorter screws | |
| Burrs on shift tube | Remove burrs or replace tube | |
| Lower bowl bearing assembled wrong | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Shift tube bent or broken | Replace as necessary | |
| Improper adjustment of shift levers | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Improper Trans. Shifting | ||
| Sheared shift tube joint | Replace as necessary | |
| Sheared lower shaft lever | Replace as necessary | |
| Improper shift lever adjustment | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Improper gate plate adjustment | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Excess Play in Column | ||
| Instrument panel bracket bolts loose | Tighten bolts and check bracket | |
| Broken weld nut on jacket | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Instrument bracket capsule sheared | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
| Column bracket/jacket bolts loose | Tighten bolts and check bracket | |
| Steering Locks in Gear | ||
| Release lever mechanism | See STEERING COLUMN article | |
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.