ALright, I am getting my car ready for PA inspection. (even though I will only be here for 2 more months) Anyways, one problem I had was my steering column loosened up on me. I tore it down, and got down to the bottom. 3 loose screws w/o locktite on them. So I tighten 'em back up and loctite 'em. Put it all back togather. (well not quite I left the round lock off, so I wouldn't have to get the retainer ring off again) Well, first the ignition pushrod would not function. I trace it down to an annoying little spring. I check my mounting of it, and it looks right. Put it back togather, and try again. No luck, so I lok at how the mechinism should work, and strat bending the spring around a little. I get the ignition part working. It at least will not run the starter motor until it burns out. That was easy. The hard part was the lock. It just refuses to move up and lock! In some fits of rage at the column, I ended up loosing a few ***** from the upper bearings. I go to the dealer and get the new kit and notice it has a new spring. Well, maybe my spring was just bad?! I tear it back down, replace both bearings and races (might as well I guess) put it back togather with all the new parts on the kit, and try again. Still no luck! What could I be doing wrong? The Helm manual for this sucks, doesn't mention the spring much. I am at a loss, I have been trying for 2.5 days now. Please guys help me!
BTW I know this was not an engine post, but I thenk we have some of the best help in this forum....besides, I had to take one bold out of the engine compartment! Doesn't that count
Corry

 

Here are some pics of my steering colomn. Maybe I am missing a piece? Warning, some pics are a little fuzzy, and 1 had too much light.











Hopefully that worked!

 

This may be a dumb question but you are putting the round plate with all the notches around it and the snap ring back in before checking to see if the lock works right??

When you push on the lock pin does it spring back??

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 09, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 09, 2000).]

 

No, I left the Plate and ring off. When I push on the disassembled unit, the pin doesn't spring very much at all. Only about 1/8" out from its farthest in position.
I realize the thing will not lock w/o the lock disk in place, but does that effect rhe spring operation?

Hopefully I can have this resolved by tomorrow. I already missed a day of class....maybe I should just point my car in the general direction of the college and floor it! The engine still works right
Corry


[This message has been edited by Corry (edited October 10, 2000).]

 

With the plate off you should see the pin return into the column when you turn the key to the "on" position.

It really doesn't matter how much the pin moves as long as it engages in the plate when the key is turned off, and backs away from the plate when the key is on. (I've never really paid that much attention to how much the rod actually moves )

You should put the plate back on, it might be moving enough to work.



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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

I did, I did not put the ring back on, but rather used the compressor tool to try. Nowhere near enough motion. Personally I don't care, it is an easy system to defeat for a car thief. However, the state of pennsylvania cares.
Help guys! did I put it back togather right by the pictures? Could I have just got a spring that wasn't properly tempered? I'm out of ideas, even tried putting a spring behind the pin! that blocks the turning of the key
Corry

 

The assembled mechanism should look something like this:



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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

THNX VADER!!!! You rock! Where can I get pix like that for other parts of the car. I don't mind paying (when I have the cash) for documentation like that! You should see the helm manual YUCK! The pic is so low deatail, that I coulsn't tell how that spring was supposed to sit. I figured it was something simple sheesh. I feel dumb now, but then, I knew that feeling was coming.
Thanks again!
Corry

 

Vader definatly has all the cool stuff.


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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited October 10, 2000).]

 

Seriously, Vader, what's your source for diagrams like that? The factory shop manual is good, but you can never have too many good drawings or photos.

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'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

 

Sorry guys...the pics have to come down, my ISP is compalining that I have sent out 142.6 MB of data from my website. I have no website, I just put the pics on there to since it was web space Now there will be little red x's up there

Hey vader, where are those diags? Please, I tried to get the local GM dealer parts dept to let me have a copy of their parts cataloge. It didn't seem to have that high of quality diags as you posted, but they were better than the shop manual!
Thanks
Corry

BTW: The column is back in the car now and working great.....except for the fact that there was a black wire that comes out of the turn signal arm, that I can't seem to locate a plug for! Everything seems to be working though!

 

Do you have Cruise control??

This will be a black "wire" coming from the signal lever.

It actually 4 wires in that little shield.

Should be flat on the end with 2 wires on each side of the plug.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

Figures. My cruise hasn't worked since I got the car. Not real important to me yet, so I haven't gone thorugh the trobleshooting for it. So of course I wouldn't notice a problem. Thnx, I should be able to trak it down. I'll do that when I replace the vacume box on the brake pedal I broke taking the column out
Corry