recently my cd player was stolen and when they took it they messed up my steering wheel some how, it is super loose and feels like its going to fall off. it moves around where it tilts at. also my turn signal wont work unless you giggle the steering wheel all around and then it will finally blink a little. would it be easier/cheaper to fix this or to get a whole new column? what do you guys think is wrong with it? thanks alot

 

Since it was forced, you probably wont know if it is damaged until you remove the wheel. Probably it is only the three bolts that have come loose inside. If it is you have to remove the wheel and other incidentals to get to them to re-tighten them. Dont have pics, but there are some break-downs in a manual or the cd that the guy is selling at the beginning of the forum. They tend to get all wonky when the bolts are loose. Better fix than replace if necessary.

 

I recked my column all to crap trying to get at those 3 bolts you are talking about,,,you have to take everything off to get to them. I said screw it and swaped in a new (used) column,,,Ill still didnt see thoes stupid bolts yet. My wheel was like your too,,,it was so bad that the car would shut off if i turned or moved the wheel causeing the ignition rod (along the side of the whole column) to turn in the ignition off and on,,,,geeeeerrrrrrrr.

 

It is most likely the bearings around the joint of the column. This is a common problem with GM's tilt steering. You need some specific tools to do the repair. Unless you know what you are doing with it, I would either take it to someone who knows how to do it..or to you mechanic. It is a bit of a PITA to fix, and like said requires some different tools to fix. HTH

 

yeh you have to pull out all that crap. Dont know how hard it is to replace the entire column. All of the signal light disconnect has to be re-aligned when you put it back together. It does take time to do all that work. It is hard to get used parts like the column in Australia so sometimes you have to do things a different way. Would be much better if you had a good supply of used parts.

 

i dont think its just the bolts, it is supposed to lock when you turn off the ignition and turn the wheel, it just turns adn wont lock, and wobbles like crazy. anybody know where to get a used colum? the salvage yards around here have 3 inches of snow on everything

 

replacing a colomn is too bad.....heres a quicky...
Take one bolt out of column shaft (under hood). Then from under the dash get rid of that platic thing take out the bolts holding column to the floor,,,,then take the two nuts holding the column up to the dash,,,,,,disconect the wire (conectors) and if your getting a automatic column then youll have to play around to get some cables (going to your shifter) off. If you put on some warm cloths you could problaby get a column out pretty quick before you frezze if you can get a nice day. I took mine out of a car that was sitting in a foot of water (mud puddle) that was fun!!! dont wory if you cant get one with the keys cause you can ask for a kick *** discount off the price,,,borrow a sterring wheel puller and a wheel lock compressor and switch your key cylinders pretty fast (with those too tools) if not its a p.i.t.a. Good luck!!!