How to Replace the Steering Shaft for a Buick Regal

General Motors (GM) manufactured the Buick Regal from 1973 to 2004. The company originally promoted it as a luxury car. By the 1980's, the GM had redesigned the Regal as a mid-sized car available as a coupe or sedan. During the life of the Buick Regal, GM designed and built four generations of the vehicle The main design elements General Motors built into the Regal were meant to meet the needs of the driver. The emphasis on style and vehicle control was very important. The company says to replace the steering shaft whenever you find excessive play in the vehicle's steering. Accomplish replacing the steering shaft using common tools and applying moderate automotive repair experience.

Instructions

Steering Shaft Removal

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the vehicle's battery.

2

Locate the steering shaft coupling in the engine compartment. The steering shaft coupling is near the steering gear box, by the rack and pinion.

3

Remove the clamp bolt that holds the steering shaft to the steering gear box, using a socket wrench and socket. Set the clamp bolt aside.

4

Remove the steering shaft by pushing upward on the steering shaft by hand. This will compress the spring inside the steering shaft. Pull the steering shaft out by hand.

Steering Shaft Installation

5

Insert the steering column end of the new steering shaft into the steering column.

6

Compress the spring-loaded steering shaft by hand and insert the steering shaft into the steering gear box.

7

Insert the clamp bolt through the steering shaft and steering gear box.

8

Tighten the steering shaft clamp bolt to the manufacturers recommended torque level, using a torque wrench and socket.

9

Connect the negative battery cable to the vehicle's battery.