Previous owner of 89 Camaro RS took the steering column apart for some fool reason. He put it back together to the point where the car steers ok but the column literally flops around if you lift on it. It's got tilt steering which obviously doesn't work right now. Turn signals work but high beams do not. Cruise control works great and so do wipers. I'm wondering how hard is it going to be to put this mess back together and does anyone have any hints and tips (or blatant DIRECTIONS) for me to get this fixed?

 

I've rebuilt columns on my S-10 Blazer which is your column (not exactly but it is).
Ya need a star wheel remover (which is the anti theft lock part), and the bearing rebuild kit which includes the ignition RACK. Ya pull all aprt & rebuild.
PITA!
Serious.
Part igniton RACK rebuild kit is about $35 or so.
Effort is high.
It takes a dealer about 2 hours to do & many many times is worth it.
The hi-lo light part is just a ROD that pushes the switch in the column
The BEST instructions are in the factory shop manual.
The BEST illustrations are in the factory shop manual.
CHEAT
WHEN ya order the IGNITION RACK KIT, ask the parts guy for the illustrated steering column diagram from the computer so ya see what ya up against.
I'd say get the ignition rack rebuild kit & let others do it for secure feeling.

 

I just bet the guy could not get it apart all the way, gave up and put it back together. Of couse he was trying to fix the same slop in the wheel you do not like. It is a common GM tilt problem as they failed to use any thread lock. The bigger problems is you can take 99% of the sucker apart with normal hand tools but you must have the pivot pin puller to get the final part off. Its one big PITA but you will find 4 very lose or all the way out reverse torx bolts. I fould that a 1/4 socket worked.

It will take all day and the brights lever is the only tricky part [as you will have so much to remember how it went together] but I un-did my colum brights and put me an old floor stomper switch in.
I like them much better.

Hit ebay and get a pivot pin puller before you even start. That is the only special tool you must have. There are plenty of other special took that will help any job but it was the only one I needed besides normal hand tools.

It is well worth the trouble once you have them bolts tight again.

There is a how to on it, in the tech section of this site.

Matt

 

I have a friend who weighs 300 lbs +.... He wanted to drive my car real bad which I knew wasn't a good idea, but I let him anyway so he would shut up. After his little joy ride when he got out of my car he put all of his weight on the steering wheel to help him stand up..... He broke the column.... still haven't fixed it.

 

THANKS for tip on the repair in our tech section!