unclecameron

I have around 0.5" steering column wobble left to right and about an inch up and down. It doesn't affect steering at all, but it's really irritating, what wears out in these/what should I replace to fix it?

XJ Stryker

I would jsut check to see if your bolts have started to come loose. I think they are a 15mm. I don't have pics but it is pretty easy to figure out if you stick your head under there and look up.

caged

do you have a tilt steering column?

if so, you may have to rebuild the tilt knuckle. not an easy task. i ended up just swapping in a new column.

if your heep is lifted, don't use the steering wheel to pull yourself in the jeep, that's how these get damaged.

XJ Stryker

Good point I need to stop doing that I hate being short lol.

prerunner1982

A common problem on GM tilt columns is the bolts/nuts inside the column at the tilt work loose. You have to pull the wheel and get down in there.. I will see if I can find a write up on it..

Edit:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://buickperformance.com/tiltstee...lumnwobble.htm

unclecameron

tasty thanks Yeah, I have the tilt column, which now "tilts" to the right and left as well as whole bunch up and down. I think I'm definitely going to buy that $7.95 tool they mention, sounds like it makes things a bunch easier. Is there anything that can actually "wear out" if my bolts haven't just come loose?

prerunner1982

In my father-in-laws Chevy/GMC van with tilt there is a bearing in there that wore out and it not serviceable.. that was causing the flop. I didnt look in there so I cant vouch for it, but he tried to tighten up the bolts and that only helped marginally.

unclecameron

finally got around to it, since it became the "squeakiest wheel" and motivated me basically through continual irritation. The 2 bolts I could access after ripping everything apart were indeed the problem which was great.

Now I'm trying to figure out how the dimmer actuator goes back together...when I pull the turn signal stalk it will flash the brights, but not change from bright to dim

unclecameron

ha, I figured it out, basically I just screwed around until it all eventually fit

DFlintstone

Say it ain't so Joe.

Prerunners first link > http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html seems to be the real pay dirt. It looks like it's a 1/2 day job to reach two of 4 loose bolts. Anyone been there with any advice?

cruiser54

This antique advice?

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=27192

freegdr

When doing this put some lock tight or silicone on each bolt stops future issues.

DFlintstone

Thanks guys, great link there Cruiser. I wonder if I really need "Lock plate remover/installer. & Pivit pin remover"

cruiser54

Lock plate remover, yes.

DFlintstone

http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools...er/112102_0_0/

Maybe they will let me borrow it free.

Btw CF, it was mentioned that when it's loose, a bolt could work out and bind the steering.