Vehicles that were involved in accidents that caused frame damage, significant body damage, sheet metal impacts, or impacts to the Steering Column, as well as supplemental inflatable restraints system deployment may have a damaged or misaligned Steering Column. Check the capsules off the Steering Column bracket assembly for proper seats in capsule slot and don't forget to inspect all for loose condition by hand pushin and pullin the capsules. Note how the bracket is attached to the jacket assembly; if the capsules are not firmly held and the bracket is bolted onto the jacket assembly then the bracket is replaced only but if the capsules are not firmly seated and the bracket is welded onto the jacket assembly then the latter is replaced only. Test the distance between the lower edge of the upper jacket and another specific point on the low jacket to determine jacket assembly collapse; if the measurements are not within specifications, replace the jacket assembly. Before turning the shaft, remove the inflatable restraint coil assembly from the Steering Column and allow to hang free so not to damage the coil assembly. Visually inspect the
Steering Shaft for sheared injected plastic ; if available, change the Steering Shaft. Any frame damage that could cause bent Steering Shaft is checked for Steering Shaft runout with a dial indicator close to the bottom end of Steering Shaft when steering wheel rotates and there is no more than 1.60 mm (0.06 inch) of runout.