I had the loose steering wheel problem, and it is definately the 4 reverse torx bolts. I got everything stripped down on the column to the tilt mechanism. I went to use a pivot pin remover, and it snapped off inside of the pin. Before I used the remover, I tried using a bolt/socket setup as a puller, and it just bent the bolt every time. So now I've got the pins stuck, one with the remover shaft broken completely inside of it (can't get it out). Out of first instinct, I grab the drill and a few bits and go to town on the one with the remover broken into it. Apparently, the pins are made of diamond. Anyhow, now I've got to get these pins out!!!! I'm going to try and find another remover for the side that is undamaged, and in the mean time, just keep drilling the crap out of the other one. Please, some words of wisdom from anyone? I'd appreciate any tip i could get.

 

I guess it couldn't hurt to spray some Aero Kroil all over the pins and get a broken bolt remover tool to get the broken part out of the pivot pin.

I got the Snap On pivot pin remover tool, and I hope mine doesn't break like yours did!

First I gotta get my car from the body shop before I can fix the steering wheel.

 

I admit defeat. New steering column at junkyard- 100 bucks. Just bought the car, pretty eager to go!

 

I just did the same F*$#ing thing, dammit. tried drilling it out, getting no where. Probably gonna have to swap out the entire steering column for one at the scrap yard. Dammit.

 

Did you remove the tilt spring?

 

It sounds like an alignment or tension issue. It's been a while but the tilt pin came out with little resistance. I used a specific tool off the Mac man.

 

Thanks guys, yep the tilt spring was out. The little tilt pin remover tool just snapped off inside the side closest to the passenger side and the other side bend the crap out of a bolt that I used to try to pull that side pin out. I was able to tighten the lower two torx bolts to tighten up the steering column and then just backed out and put everything back together. The column is rock solid but it would have been nice to tighten all four with lock tight on them but.. next time I guess. FYI trying to drill out a hardened steel bolt from a tilt pin remover from inside of the tilt pin this is what I tried. Titanium drill bit, did nothing ,just polished it, spoke to a machinist at a speciality hardware store, he recommended a cobalt tipped reverse bit with no cutting oil and as much pressure as possible without breaking the bit, the reverse threads might actually act as a screw extractor, the cobalt bit did get a little more traction but I would have had to be there for four hours, then when I put the drill down I snapped the damn bit. I then tried a scew extractor in the little purchase made by the cobalt bit and it did nothing just spun in there getting now grip. The only thing I did not try was a carbide bit, but the machinist told me I would very likely snap multiple bits. Reading around some people said that reverse thread carbide or diamond tipped double fluted masonry bits work well on hardened steel. Any way those will be my options next time I have to open that column up, maybe when those torx bolts loosen again in a few years. Oh one last note, some how the steering lock pin got stuck in during al of this and never popped back out even when the key is in the lock position. I am a little worried that one day it will pop out while I am driving and put me in a world of trouble. Any one know if that is possible?

 

champam, I used the $10 pivot pin puller from O'Reilly's Auto. NEVER USE THIS! Mine broke as well. I can't drill out the tilt pin using titanium drill bits. I'll tighten the bottom two as you said and see what happens

 

DAMN!

My PerformanceTool Pivot Pin Removal tool snapped off inside the pivot pin.

 

Dude - That the WORST !!!!! Not sure how you're gonna' be able to over-come that ! Is there ANY of that little screw sticking out of the pivot pin ??

 

I'd try grabbing a sharp pick or a chisel and trying to catch a ridge on the broken end and back it out. Or push against the end with the eraser end of a pencil and try turning it out. Assuming of course that it didn't bind in the threads.

 

Yeah! I'm Screwed!! There's a shrapnel to grab from

 

Thanks!

 

Thread revival...Never trusted those pin removal tools.I had great luck with a home made remover.
Is the pin out any amount? I would try grabbing it from two sides & prying it out.Once it pops loose, there is little resistance & it slides out quite easy.

 

$80 was the cost to repair @ Pick Your Part - Santa Fe Springs

 

Had the same problem in my first bird. Honestly. I got a new column from the junkyard for 35 bucks. I'd say 20 min including a break for a beer and it was fixed.

 

Gordiggz,
Same thing happend to me with the Cheapie Advance Pin removal tool. Thin part of the screw broke... I grabbed my Dremel Tool and cut a slot in both the broken section and the Pin then grabbed a screwdriver and it backed right out.
Still determined I looked online and one fella said to find a Grade 8 Bolt screw it in with a couple of nuts and since I already had the 'hood' from the pin removal tool and sure enough came right out... both sides Maybe it would work for you...

Fivestar

 

Same thing just happened to me with the tool breaking off flush in the pin. Too hard to drill out, so I put a little weld bead in the center of the pin and then welded a washer to that. Used a couple of screwdrivers to pry up on the washer and the pin popped out.

 

Yes, a home made remover is what I use as well.

Some of the tools I've come across at DIY places and online are pretty bad. This one is the worst:



Tools like this are a much better design:



It uses the NUT to draw out the pivot pin, not the screw that threads into the pivot pin.

 

When I did mine I broke six of the $10 parts store removers. Luckily all but one broke where I could grab it and back it out. The one that didn't I removed with a tiny bolt extractor from sears. Finally found a buddy with a snap on tool and got it out.