Steering column wiggle?
#1
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Car: 88 Iroc Vert/ 1980 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI/ 350
Transmission: 700R4/ TH350
Axle/Gears: 2.73posi/ 3.08 Open
Steering column wiggle?
I know there is a FAQ on how to fix this , but I am wondering how much does it wiggle when it's fixed? My wheel moves maybe 1/4 inch or less so I don't know if it is worth it to go in and tighten the 3 bolts. I am putting in a new wheel today so if I was going to do it I would do it now. What do you think?
#2
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Car: 1981 Camaro; 1986 Z28
Engine: LT1; LT1
Transmission: 6 speed; 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73; 3.42
It shouldn't wiggle at all. I would definately recheck the torx bolts while you are swapping the wheel.
#3
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Car: 87 Fomula, bought new, October 86
Engine: 305 Quadrajet,
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9bolt now in, starting on body work
Same problem in my bird
My steering column started to feel loose some years ago. Looking into it, I found that there were four small bolts buried inside the column that tie the steering shaft(going through the firewall) to the top of the column. The bolts are totally inaccessible while the column is mounted in the car(having torn the hell out of everyting in the vicinity trying to get to them!)
So, I've purchased another steering column to replace the original.
Anyway, wiggle in the steering column is a huge no-no and should be looked as a life or death repair to be made immediately.
So, I've purchased another steering column to replace the original.
Anyway, wiggle in the steering column is a huge no-no and should be looked as a life or death repair to be made immediately.
#4
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Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Mine wiggled too, my uncle the mechanic said it had to be fixed before it was on the road...it could fail at any time, and would (or could) fail suddenly, with no warning, and abruptly remove the ability to steer the car.
Must fix immediately.
Must fix immediately.
#5
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it's not really that bad of a repair if you have the necessary tools. steering wheel puller, lock plate remover, and a tilt pin puller. they are inverted torx bolts the 4 that have to be tightened. I used a 6 point socket of the same size and it was good and tight so that i could use loctite on the bolts and stay tight another 20 years. It's not a bad job took me like 2 hours cause of one of my tilt pins not being the same as the other.
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Car: '86 IROC, '87 Volvo 240, '09 Malibu
Engine: LB9 5.0L
Transmission: 700R4
Good point about the Loc-Tite.
I talked to a local junkyard owner, who's worked on GM steering columns for years, and he remarked that this issue (which only affects tilt columns made until 1992 or so) has to do with a lack of locking washers or Loc-Tite on the bolts as installed from the factory. Every one of them does this sooner or later unless fixed.
I talked to a local junkyard owner, who's worked on GM steering columns for years, and he remarked that this issue (which only affects tilt columns made until 1992 or so) has to do with a lack of locking washers or Loc-Tite on the bolts as installed from the factory. Every one of them does this sooner or later unless fixed.
#7
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Car: 84 Trans AM (sold), 87 IROC, 09 C6
Engine: Lt1 in IROC
Transmission: 5 speeds
Axle/Gears: Moser 12 bolt tru tracker 3.42
well I guess I'm glad i read this thread......my column has had the wiggles for the last few years.....i thought it was just worn out or something....now i guess I'll have to rip into it..........:
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#8
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Car: '68 396 SS/RS, '02 SS
I had an '81 K5 Blazer that I had to tighten the bolts on twice. The second time I used red loc-tite and the problem never re-apppeared. It was much easier on the truck column than a Camaro column though.
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