InteriorDiscussion about interior restoration, repairs, and modification.
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I went in to get my safety inspection today and I failed because, apparently, my steering wheel is loose and that is too dangerous. It took me awhile to figure out what they were talking about. What it is, is that if you push decently hard on the top of the steering wheel down towards the floor, the upper part of the shaft with the wheel connected to it rotates down about half an inch. When you let go, it springs right back up. It's moving right where the joint is when you pull the tilt lever in to change the angle of the wheel. You know how when you pull the tilt lever in and the wheel springs up, and then you have to push the wheel down to the spot that you want and then let go of the lever and it locks in place? Yea, well once it's locked in place, you can still push the wheel down a little bit, but it springs back up to the locked position once you let go. It has always done this and I have not had any problems passing inspection before. Is it supposed to be this way? Any suggestions on a fix? I will probably take it to another place, but I wanted to see what you guys thought.
Apparently, this is a common problem on old GM cars. I took it in because I really didn't have time to figure it out myself and the guy said there are three bolts that hold the tilt mechanism to the column and those become loose over time causing slop. He fixed it and it's all good now.
I failed too a couple years ago, but I had let my get so bad, it could be flopped side to side! There are 3 bolts that loosen. 2 of mine were out & the 3rd held on by only 2 threads! Had it come out, I would have had zero steering wheel control.
I paid a shop $100 & a few hours later, it was done. It was that, or buy special tools & try it myself. They already knew how to do & had done it before. It was WAY worth the $100 to have them do it!
This is a very common problem in the F-body cars. People use the steering wheel to get out the car and over the years, it wears out the joint. My T/A and my camaro both had this problem and even though I tightened the screws in the tilt mechanism, it still wobbled. I eventually replaced the column in the camaro and replacement column is doing the same thing (). I have learned to stop pulling on the steering wheel when I get out fo the car.
I also had this problem in my first Camaro. I ended up buying a parts car and swapping out the steering column myself. Took about 2 hours, and didnt require anything more advanced than an 8in extension on my 3/8 drive socket wrench.
In total, 6 bolts hold it in place, along with 2 wire connectors, and the ignition switch, which has three small bolts holding its cluster on.
no need to pull the wheel off. 5 10mm bolts and a 1/2 inch if memory serves.
4th gen columns dont swap, i tried that already... mines broken so badly that the turn signals dont work anymore and the entire tilt mechanism will move in every direction and slide toward the driver 3 inches exposeing the inner shaft of the column...i think it might be beyond repair.
I also had this problem in my first Camaro. I ended up buying a parts car and swapping out the steering column myself. Took about 2 hours, and didnt require anything more advanced than an 8in extension on my 3/8 drive socket wrench.
In total, 6 bolts hold it in place, along with 2 wire connectors, and the ignition switch, which has three small bolts holding its cluster on.
no need to pull the wheel off. 5 10mm bolts and a 1/2 inch if memory serves.
Good luck
89Camaro89MI - What steps did you take to correct this without taking the steering wheel out? I need to tighten mine up.
The steering wheel is relatively easy to get off, too. You just need a steering wheel puller. It's a $20 dollar tool at any local parts store, or you can rent one, usually for about 5 or 10 bucks.
To get the wheel off, unbolt the airbag (if applicable) by the 4 torx screws in the back and disconnect the yellow wire. BE CAREFUL not to set the thing off! Then screw the two bolts on the puller into the the two threaded holes on the wheel, and use the third puller bolt and a wrench to get the wheel off.
If it's the tilt mechanism that's dead (up and down free flopping of the wheel) the column really needs to be replaced.
Three bolts hold it to the inside of the firewall, behind the brake pedal. There's one more connecting it to the linkage in the engine bay, sort of tangled under the brake lines by the Master Cylinder. The last two bolts are under the dash. Once those are out, disconnect the two wire connectors and the airbag wire (if applicable) and yank the sucker out!
When you get the last two out, the column should drop a few inches with the wheel, or the bottom of the column, resting against the seat. At this point, you just pull.
Re-assembly is the reverse of this. If the new column gives you trouble getting into the linkage by the brake wires, try sanding it down a bit and greasing it up. Just be sure to put a drop of loc-tight on the bolt that holds it there.
If you have any trouble, PM me and I'll try and get back to you within a day or so with an answer.
). I have learned to stop pulling on the steering wheel when I get out fo the car. 
