Tilt Steering Woes

Ok,

I have an old tilt steering that is all loose and wobbly. Is there any way to fix this short of replacing it??? I'm thinking there is a nut or something in there that can be tightned up, but figured I'd ask before ripping into the column.

TIA

 

most likely it is 3 bolts down in the column---you will have to remove (at a minimum---I'm not looking at a manual right now)
Steering wheel & Hub
Lock ring and plate*
Ignition (key) switch
Turn signal lever
Turn signal wire harness
Tilt pivot pin(s)*
Upper Column housing (the cast outer housing that key/ignition cylinder slides into

*Indicates special tools needed---lock ring remover and pivot pin remover--both available for $15-25 each at OReilly's etc.

Then you may or may not be able to access these 3 screws in the Lower Bowl (I think that's the name of the area)...It helps to have a factory service manual to do this.

Net, net is it is not a simple operation ---but it's a good time to put a new turn signal switch in there if it is wobbly. Patton

 

All I know is....I was doing some liesurely Chasis Service manual reading one nite and came across the exploded-view diagram of the tilt column for a '69

....remember saying to myself "I'm NEVER going There !!!

uzzled: uzzled:

Good luck

 

Check this out:


http://www.fieros.de/en/articles/steering.html

There also was a good article on http://www.gnttype.org but they look to be under construction now.

Good luck!

:beer

 

That does look pretty complicated!
Frank

 

EEEEeeeeooouuuccchhh. :eek2: :eek2: Looks like it'd be easier to just replace itou:

Thanks for the link though, it was exactly what I was looking for.:TU: :TU: I'll probably buy another, but still fart around with this one just for giggles:grin:

 

Looks actually WORSE than it is. Just have totake your time.
I have just tightened the "Bolt with an extension & 1/4" ratchet, but it didn't last.
Was tolt to remove bolts & use some Lock Tight, and you "Shouldn't have to go back into it again.

 

Be wary gang. The tilt column on my 69 Riv is an "Energy Absorbing" unit and the knuckle is designed to break to allow the column to collapse in an accident. The column you have may be of this variety, in which case it is now garbage and, to the best ofmy knowledge, unrepairable.

 

Jeff JR is right its worse than it looks. You will need the puller the remove the pins from the sides that allow the column to tilt. I got mine from Snap-On it wasn't to badly priced. Just take your time and don't go jerking wires around and lock tite the bolt. Hope this helps.
Rick

 

You can also get it repaired or rebuilt from someplace like www.columnsgalore.com if you want to spend the $$. It might be easier to just buy a rebuilt one from one of the restoration suppliers.


I've also read that you can reach 3 of the bolts without having to tear the column down completely like in the instructions to get to the 4th bolt. That *might* be a shortcut, but make sure you use the locktite. You have nothing to lose trying this yourself, if you can't fix it it was already broken anyway.......

 

My 71 GS had the same problem. I borrowed the tools from a friend and went to work with help from my service manual. Needless to say, I had much more respect for that friend after doing it. I didn't have enough patience to finish it, so I pulled it and carried it to his garage where he did it in 15 mins.! No replacement for experience. I found a worn switch cam while in there and replaced it. Us lock tight on the bolts or you will be back in there. I am sure that is your problem because I have had the same problem on 5 or 6 GM vehicles over the years and it is always the loose bolts. Local mechanic now fixes mine for $50. I would pay that anytime.