BUT, I can't get the tilt pins out. I've called around and can't seem to find a pivot pin puller. I tried threading the screw in and pulling with pillars as I've seen suggested, but they don't even budge. Any other ideas of what I can do / use? OR, any suggestions on where I might find this tool other then Autozone, Pepboys, etc etc. Thanks in advance for any help!!

Fbod88

PS Vader suggested this in a similar post...

8-32 machine screw, ¼" socket for about a ½" hex as a drift, a washer, and an 8-32 nut. There's your puller.

... not sure if I understand how that works, anyone able to try and explain it?

 

snap on sells the pin puller

 

thread the nut on the screw...slide the screw through the top(1/4" drive) end of the socket..now thread screw into pin...tighten nut...as you tighten the nut the socket will seat against the column and you'll now be pulling the screw up through the socket, pulling the pin with it.


at least that sounds like what vader was saying

 

That's it...

It helps if you push in on the bottom of the piece you're removing, to take the tension off the pins. The moving thing pivots on the pins; there's that massive spring pushing on everything that makes the whole deal rotate upwards when you release it; that's what makes the pins so hard to pull out. Once you get the pins out and all that stuff flings itself out and hits you in the face, you'll see & understand why they were such a PITA.

 

*** I recall, it is an 8-32 UNC thread. If not, it is a 10-32 thread. In either case assemble the parts as shown, fully bottoming the screw by hand (to get the maximum thread bearing strength), then back it off a turn or two in case the bolt snaps later. Once the screw thrread is set, run the nut down with a wrench to jack the pivot pin out of the column die casting. It the screw snaps, there should be adequate material to back it out by hand (which is why you didn't bottom it out to begin with). Usually, the pin will pull easily once it starts moving and deforms the stakes that were retaining it.

 

As for the balance spring, use a #2 or larger Phillips screwdriver to remove the retainer cap and relax the spring before you attempt to remove the pins. If I didn't have that instruction in the post that you found in the archives, I should have. Incidentally, this will cause the upper tilt portion of the column to fall to its fully lowered position.

 

Additionally (I'm such a dope sometimes ),
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