My steering column is loose and I have to take of the steering wheel to fix it but I know from past adventures that when I put it back on it's a bia bia to push down the wheel to clear the grove for the little ring. Is there a tool or trick anyone knows of???

Trey

 

My sterring column is loose as well, is there a write up on how to fix it?

 

No thats why I was trying to ask if anyone knew a trick or two. Because it is a pain in the A$$

 

Yes there are right-ups..... This is a common problem with GM columns and since they were all pretty much the same from the late seventies- early nineties there is ton of info out on the web.

http://www.buickperformance.com/tilt...lumnwobble.htm

And there is a special tool to removed the retaining ring / lock plate, I believe most auto parts stores carry it, I think that's where I bought mine.

 

I eventually bought the special lock plate tool, but before that I used two paint can openers (they look like screwdrivers but have a 90 degree bend at the bottom). Push the plate down until you can wedge one opener into the slot, then twist it to get enough clearance to put the other opener across from it. The openers will keep tension on the lock plate, then twist them to get enough clearance to drop in the C clamp. I used this method a bunch of times on GM columns.

 

The tool you are looking for, I believe, is a steering wheel lock plate remover. If you have an Autozone nearby you can get it via their loan-a-tool program...

When I took mine apart to fix the wobble, it turned out not to be the "three screws" which are apparently the common source of the problem. The play in my column was in the hinge pins of the tilt mechanism... They had worn out and enlarged their mounting holes. That was a pain to fix. Here's to hoping that yours will be a simple fix.

 

Thank you very much for all the help. Last time I did this it was on a Buick Lesabre and i had to put two screwdrivers on the plate put my feet on them and press down. Since the Camaro seats are known to break easy and I had to put all my weight on it to press it down enough I figured I shouldn't do it that way this time.

Thank You
Trey

 

This is what I need to do. How'd you do this?

 

I ended up just drilling all the pin holes out to accept a (1/2"? o.d. 1/4" i.d.) bronze sleeve bearing which I cut to length and pressed into each hole. Then I used a 1/4" clevis pin in the bearings. Its kind of hard to explain, but I basically made a new "pin guide" out of these sleeve bearings. It took out all but maybe a 1/4" of the slack (at the wheel). I hope it holds up, I don't know how much or if the bronze is softer than the cheap metal that the column joint is made of...

I don't remember exactly the outside diameter of the sleeve bearings that I used. Bascally just find the smallest size that will allow you to drill out the holes enough, and fit tight. I will go see if I can find one of the extra bearings that I bought and measure it, but it seems like the only time I can find anything in my garage is when I'm not looking for it...

Also, the car has hardly been driven at all since I did this, so I can't make any guarantees as to the durability of this repair... If you have any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

 

Where'd you get bronze sleeve bearings?

 

I got them at a place called McGuire Bearing Company. It was convienient because they're right here in town, but if you don't happen to have a bearing company right in your backyard you may be able to find bearings online somewhere. Here's a start.

Also, I got bronze because it was all they had that would work for what I was doing. If you happen to come across something harder, like steel, you might want to shoot for those just for durabilities sake. Good luck.

 

Well I tightened all the bolts and still wobbly. Time to buy a new steering column,.

Trey