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Wobbly steering column

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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:15 AM
  #1  
Chuck's Avatar
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Wobbly steering column

Steering column is wobbly where the base of
the tilt attaches to the rest of the column.
Apparently getting to the 3 nuts to tighten it
is in involved job.
Is it dangerous to drive with this condition?
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:23 AM
  #2  
1989IROC-Z5.7L's Avatar
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From: North, Texas
Car: 1987 Buick WE4 Regal
Engine: 3.8L IC Turbo
Transmission: 200 4R Auto O/D
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Wobbly steering column

It is probably not legal to drive with it loose.

The screws can fall out and possibly get tangeled with moving parts. (ignition switch, steering linkage)

Most any shop can fix that problem within one hour labor. Main thing is having the correct tools. It should be fixed ASAP.

Hope this helps!
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:26 AM
  #3  
Stephen's Avatar
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Wobbly steering column

Dangerous? Very possible, if you consider your steering column separating & having zero control of your steering. That is just a worst case scenario. Don't get in a panic. I drove like that for almost a year. Mine was BAD.

My car failed inspection because of my floppy column. He got in...flop,flop,flop....Got out. "Sorry, can't inspect it like that."

6 hrs & $100 later the next, I had mine done (at a shop). He said 1 of the 3 bolts, was only in by like 2 threads! Materials are practically nothing. Its the labor & special tools needed to do it, are whats expensive.

There are other articles about this, but this was the easiest for me to find.
https://www.thirdgen.org/steeringcolumn
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Old Jul 16, 2009 | 10:51 AM
  #4  
gcgarner's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Morganton, NC
Car: '92 T/A WS6 Vert/1956 Chevy Nomad
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700r4 w/ Transgo Kit
Axle/Gears: 3.42 LSD
Re: Wobbly steering column

I drove my old '87 Suburban like that for 3 years. Now, that being said, I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do that.
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Old Mar 28, 2011 | 07:29 PM
  #5  
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From: The Jersey Shore
Car: 1991 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 5.7 L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt Posi
Re: Wobbly steering column

how wobbly is wobbly.... i mean mine has some play from like 2 o clock to 7 o clock but only if im applying pressure there and why would i do that with out doing it intentionally. or am i talkinbg about a different problem all together?
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Old Mar 29, 2011 | 03:44 PM
  #6  
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Re: Wobbly steering column

Insomniac,
That was an old post - 2006.
It got worse quickly and I had a dealer fix it.
Just the 3 bolts working loose - bad design.
Thanks though!
Chuck
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