Hey Everyone...new to the site and new owner of a 1991 black GTA..needs alot of work but solid and oh so looking forward to working on it....I feel I can tackle anything with knowledge and guidance so here it goes...

I searched the forums on this topic and found alot of information but I am a bit confused. I have an issue with the steering wheel where I am able to move it up and down / side by side a good inch. This cannot be good but what I do not understand is the car was inspected not that long ago (and it passed) but not sure how that could be as it does not seem safe but then again most shops are not great.

I found on the board most of the issues seem to be with the whole column moving up and down and the tightening of these 4 bolts, that you have to take the whole steering column apart to get too, is the cure however where the column creases with the wheel/ignition lock is the issue..meaning the portion before the crease which is under the dash is solid and, does not move. It is the portion of the column where the steering wheel, ignition lock is that moves right at that crease..hope that makes sense...

Would that be the same issue of the bolts being loose? it would seem to me the part of the column is worn out and needing replaced how I am seeing it but maybe I am missing something. Any guidance would be great to get me started...if you feel the bolts being loose are the issue I will certainly tackle that job as I read an article from a member VADER which was very detailed. Just dont want to do all that to find out its something else...

Thanks!

 

1991s usually don't have the bolt problem. Usually on later cars they're loose because the tilt pivot pins have backed out. Depending on how bad they are, usually you can just pull the column far enough apart to get at the pins, and push them back in. However sometimes the pins are so worn, or the column housing is so worn that the pin holes are all wallowed out.