Had to replace ignition switch due to lost keys. Put everything back the way it was (at least all the parts), now my steering wheel is very loose! What the hell happened? Please Help.

I've searched under several keywords but i can't find this specific problem unless this is referred to as the Steering Column but this is the shaft that the steering wheel attaches to.

 

Did you torque the retaining nut to spec and replace the nut retainer?

JamesC

 

torqued it to spec 35lbs right?, there was no retainer when i removed it. Without the wheel on i can move the shaft in a circle with 2 fingers. There was always a little bit of movement, but very very slight, now it feels as if it could come off in my hands.

 

Have you seen the following:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-steering.html

JamesC

 

I have seen it, it helped a lot when i removed everything down to the ignition. Very cool!

I know almost nothing about steering columns though. I thought that was a different problem. Mine is, I can move the part the wheel attaches to in a circle with very little effort.

 

bump

 

If you could post pictures, that would probably help.

 

Will put some up in the morning

 

I have this same problem. Where the tilt steering pivots mine moves probably about 2 inches in any direction. I am selling mine thursday anyways, but would be nice to tell the purchaser what to do.

 

Found the problem and found out the parts are discontinued (imagine that). Apparently they slid out of place when i took everything apart and i didn't realize it. Had to go to the junk yard to get 'em.

Without pressure on the bearing that surrounds the steering shaft (from the 2 parts in the picture), the wheel felt like it could come off in your hands. Now it's tighter than it was before

 

Your steering column is a tilt column. When you tear it down, at the pivot point for the tilt there are 4 torx bolts that are notorious for coming loose. Tighten those bolts and you should be in good shape.

 

his problem is the upper column shaft bearing race and spring

not the four loose tilt column screws

the steering lock plate is also involved with upper column shaft bearing load and tightness also


need it to compress the sprign that loads the bearing and race to keep the upper shaft tight and therefore not have slop in this shaft which would therefore make the wheel be sloppy

the infamous four loose tilt screws makes for a different kind of sloppy column, down lower in the column, lower than where the upper shaft bearings are

 

When all else fails, send it out to a rebuilder.

 

Hah! That's me. Well, it is now anyway.

 

if anyone wants this done in the sacramento area i do it for $30.