tilt column problem

[struckby]

Hello all,
I am having a problem with my tilt column/wheel. The best way I can describe it is that you can physically move the steering wheel,blinker arm and tilt arm(all one piece I assume) up and down and left or right.I can drive the car just finebut in quick manuvers or hard braking the wheel moving like this makes it a little scary. It basically seems to be pivoting and or loose just below the tilt lever. Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my daily driver.

Thank you,
Edward

 

[larry33kc]

It sounds like the tilt joint it loose. Which is a common problem with GM columns.

To fix it you will need to get take the steering wheel off then the plastic horn Thingy under the wheel that is heald on with the ring clip, You will then be able to see 3 torx bolts, you will need a reverse torx socket and grind it down to fit the bolts, take the bolts out one bye one and lock tight them. then reinstall the bolts

You can only get to three easily to get to the fourth one it take more tare down of the column.

Also while you are getting tools for this job make life easier buy buying the horn press kit, that will push the spring down to put the clip back on easier.

I had a 76 Cutlass come apart on me while driving, The tilt part just fell in my lap doing about 35mph. The car totaly shut off and did a hard left turn

 

[struckby]

thanks for the reply Larry. Your instructions sound easy enough. But what is the "horn press kit".? Do I get it from the GM dealer? And just to make sure I understand.....I need to remove the steering wheel and then I will see the 3 bolts? Other than that I got it. Thanks for the help.

Edward

 

[mayosmechanic]

You can get the The retaining clip press from any Mac Or Snap-on dealer or even Autozone.They are less than twenty bucks and are a real sanity saver.Count on spending 3 to 4 hours if you have never done this job before.

 

[larry33kc]

I think Mayo covered you on the where to get it.

But on what it is, it is a tool that kind of works as a puller in reverse, there is a large spring behind the horn plate, when you remove the clip to take this apart it is very hard to push the plate and spring down far enough to get the clip back on and like Mayo said it is a real sanity saver.

I know I have done it with out and spent to much time ranting about it

Also you can get it from Harbor freight or a large discount tool dealer like Cummins tool for cheap. It is one of those tools in my box that is worth its weight in gold when needed but not needed often.

Also remove the wheel then disconect the wires, then remove clip the horn peace will come off then you will know what to do from there, HTH

 

[basherbob]

HELP!!! How do I get to the torx head bolts? Not the 3 torx screws but the bolts buried in the column down by the pivot section. and yes the 2 I can see are loose

Can see them but can't get a straight shot to put a socket on the lower left one. Can't see the third. The 2 that I can see are on the lower 1/2 of the column. And again can only get a socket on the lower right one through the passage that the turn signal wires go through.

Also anyone got a breakdown diagram of the column? Had a plastic piece fall out when I pulled the metal cover back. Think it goes under the plastic cover that the tilt lever sticks through. Also had 1 flattened plastic cones covered with grease fall out. Found another by the bolts on the lower left side laying in the bottom of the housing

 

[basherbob]

OK I found another source for instructions. Here is a link.
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/suspension/t_steering.html

This definately isn't going to be as easy as I first thought.

 

[Ray F.]

How did it go? I need to do this badly to my car.

 

[Rickracer]

Do yourself a favor and get.....

....a 1/4" drive E8 Torx socket and an appropriate length extension.

 

[basherbob]

I got down to removing the pivot pins and stopped. Did not have a removal tool and after a few trys did not want to break off a bolt in the pin, like another post I read. Paid $75 for to a tilt column pair service to come out to the house and finish it. He wanted $125 from scratch, so I spent an hour to save $50.

He also ended up replacing a bushing that was wore out. Probably something I wouldn't have seen or been ready to replace. Really tightened up the wheel. Also he replaced the plastic piece for the headlight dimmer mechanism, that was broke.

Yeah, got the torx and was able to see 2 of the bolts. The other would have still been loose. Also need something to remove the pins....that's what got me. Anyone want to buy a torx socket set? All in all the $75 was worth it...............to me

 

[jsta6]

What a coincidence!

I just did this last weekend. I wish I had found this post first.