Caballero83

(sorry if this is in the wrong place on the forum, seemed like the closest match)

Hi all,

Just encountered a little problem - i've had a loose steering column for a while and on taking it apart, three of the bolts are loose. The issue i've got is that the nuts simply won't tighten - I think the threads are stripped. The threads are captive nuts in the bulkhead, so I really don't know what to do if they've been stripped...

Anyone come across this before? Or have any suggestions at all?! Gratefully accepted!

sonjaab

Great article and pics right here !-
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-steering.html

Caballero83

Ah appreciated, thanks for the help! But really just tells you how to tighten the nuts (after dismantling the column) - the issue I have is that the nuts won't tighten....

pg29

Do the threads on the bolts look okay? If they do, is there space to get a tap into there? You might have to re-tap those captive nuts, and go with slightly larger bolts (that match the new threads), so it'll tighten up the way it should.

Caballero83

Will check the threads on the bolts - getting a tap in might be difficult but I might try some larger bolts and see if I can create a new thread by forcing them in. Appreciate the help!

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Don't try larger bolts. Don't try "force". None of that has any hope of working.

If the holes are fornicated, just Heli-Coil them, to the original size, and re-use the original bolts. And/or, go get a JY column, and swap out that piece. Just about any GM tilt column from the late 60s through the 90s will have the piece you need.