I was in the process of taking my steering column apart to fix the loose tilt and ran in to a few snags. First something I found a bit alarming was the fact that the tilt pins practically fell out, extreme wear? After that I moved the tilt head back a bit to get to the 4 bolts, tightened them up, they weren't all that loose, hmmmm. When I was going to set the tilt head back in to place I look down to see a whole lot of ball-bearings on my lap!! The bearing cages are made of cheap freaking plastic!!

So now I've got a real problem on my hands. Is it worth trying to fix or is it time to just yank the column? Anyone have an exploded diagram of the steering column? Couldn't find one anywhere on the net. Anyone know for sure what columns are interchangable? 4th gen maybe?

 

Do a search on this site, somebody just posted a pic in response to the same quextion a few days ago.

You can buy the bearings, no problem. The plastic cage doesn't make any difference. It's only there for assembly purposes, really. Sounds to me like your bearings were fornicated already, and taking the races apart just let the ***** all fall out.

Sometimes the tilt pins come out pretty easy, especially if you know how to do it by pushing on the upper (moving) piece just right to take the tension off of them.

 

well see if this works

 

oops, wrong one...

 

I hate computers..lol

Ill send this email, its too small here....

 

Thanks, thats exactly what I needed If you have a slightly higher res image that you could email, I would greatly appreciate it. :hail: Looks like I'll give it a rip and see if I can fix it.

terence@nycap.rr.com

 

I sent ya one via email, you get it??

Thats all I got.

 

This might be a little clearer. Item #31 is teh pair of bearing sets. If the bearings are not galled or pitted, you should be able to reassemble them into the retainers and re-use them without a problem.

 

Perfect Got the email, exactly what I needed. Thanks everyone, appreciate the help, this will be alot easier now.

 

Ok, somebody, beat me, stab me, strangle me, shoot me whatever it takes I'm in heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllll!!!!!!!!

Picked up all the damn ball bearings, managed to put them back in put it back together, then the lock cylinder went screwy, something wasn't right, cant turn it back far enough to remove the key, hmmmm wait a minute, it didn't feel right either no tension on the key when I turn it to the start position, take it all back apart short of the tilt, stripped 2 bolt holes, oops broke a wire on the lock cylinder for the vats too. I'm guessing the mechinism that activates the ignition switch down below isn't lined up correctly. Just a rod going through the column right? Well any input would be swell. Too angry to think straight.