Help, I've been working on replacing the collar on the steering collumn, and I was just about done. I was working on the horn switch, and just about ready to place the snap ring back on when all of a sudden, the center shaft became loose. I look back in, and some of the bearing came loose. I removed them all, repacked them, and replaced it back in, but the whole shaft is still loose! I cant install the wheel like this, what happened???

 

ttt

 

is it tilt or non-tilt, totally different design. the tilt has a large ball joint just below the tilt head that rides on a bearing. I don't know how it would get past unless you left something out. find a service manual picture and see what you are missing. what are you calling a collar? if you are talking about the upper portion of the column that houses the ignition lock cylinder, turn signal switch, etc. I bet there is a bearing or a race that is missing.

 

Its tilt, and yea, the collar that holds the ing. switch, etc. Damn theives broke it when they stole my car. I assembled everything back the right way, except when the shaft starting moving. I noticed a few of the bearings in front had shifted, so I removed them all, repacked them with grease and reinstalled them. Granted, I could have put them in backwards, I wasn't sure which way they came out. If it is backwards, would this explain the problem? To me, it doesn't seem like it could be. Yes, it would be alittle sloppy if backwards, but damn, it moves alot.

 

i had the same problem on my 87 TA (tilt) but when you get addin up all the tools and books your going to need your better off having it done. it was going to be around 120 bucks and a full day or 2 under the car... but i asked around and got it done for 150 in one day... Believe me, you want it tight, i thought it didnt bother me until ppl are like "whats wrong with your steering wheel" was kinda embarrsing to have this bad @$$ car and then crapy steerig wheel. so i would jsut get it down for a little more then what your going to spend. there are lots of hidden exspences in the tools and tools you will only use once!

 

hard to say without looking at it personally. should be able to just look in there and see where it's got slack.