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 Suspension/Steering: G-Body Loose Tilt Steering Column Repair...Fix it right the first time.

Suspension and SteeringThis is the correct and preferred method for performing this repair for a very common problem. This will also work on many GM Tilt Steering columns.

Our example car is my own 1987 El Camino SS, your steering wheel may vary is style, but the method remains true.

Tools needed are:

Phillips screwdriver #1
Phillips screwdriver#2..
Small flat blade screwdriver.
Ratchet.
13/16 socket.
Small brass hammer.
Small picks.
Needle nose pliers.
Torx bit #20
Torx bit #30
Inverted Torx bit #E8
7mm socket.
1/4 socket.
Small chisel.
Modifed, (ground down) 1/4 socket driver.
Steering wheel puller.
Lock plate remover/installer.
Pivit pin remover.
Locktite thread locker.
Wheel bearing grease.

DCP_0820.JPG (36887 bytes)

Let's begin by removing the horn button, horn contact assembly and the horn lead assembly.

 

DCP_0744.JPG (36985 bytes)    DCP_0745.JPG (41026 bytes)    DCP_0747.JPG (34483 bytes)   

Remove next the steering wheel nut retaining ring, and then the nut.

   DCP_0746.JPG (38383 bytes)   

You should have a pile of these parts by now:

DCP_0748.JPG (37714 bytes)

If your wheel and shaft do not have corresponding alignment marks, (mine did not,) use a chisel or similar tool to mark them for proper alignment upon re-assembly.

DCP_0750.JPG (36904 bytes)

Using a steering wheel puller or crankshaft puller, remove the steering wheel.

DCP_0749.JPG (35875 bytes)

Next, remove the lock plate dust cover.  And using a lock plate removal tool, depress the lock plate just enough to expose the locking ring, (careful not to war the lock plate.)  I usually use a small flat blade screwdriver and a small pick to easily remove the locking ring.

DCP_0751.JPG (34095 bytes)    DCP_0752.JPG (37485 bytes)    DCP_0753.JPG (36966 bytes)

Once you have removed the lock plate assembly, you may now remove the turn signal canceling cam and upper steering column shaft bearing spring.

 

DCP_0754.JPG (38944 bytes)    DCP_0755.JPG (38051 bytes)    DCP_0756.JPG (43257 bytes)

Remove the turn signal switch actuating arm, hazard warning switch button, and the three screws securing the turn signal switch to the upper bowl assembly.

DCP_0757.JPG (41717 bytes)    DCP_0759.JPG (32097 bytes)    DCP_0758.JPG (41115 bytes)

Grab the turn signal lever/cruise control switch and pull it straight out of the windshield wiper switch.

DCP_0760.JPG (29020 bytes)

Next, we will remove the drivers hush panel, and lower steering column cover.  Locate and unplug the turn signal switch and wiper switch electrical connectors. 

DCP_0761.JPG (34678 bytes)    DCP_0762.JPG (39356 bytes)

Pull the turn signal switch and wiring towards the back of the car as far as it will go, (do not worry, it will pull out far enough to do the fix,)  there is no need to remove the lower steering column support bracket.  Let the switch hang free.

DCP_0807.JPG (40636 bytes)    DCP_0764.JPG (33312 bytes)

Remove the key-in ignition warning buzzer switch and spring.

DCP_0763.JPG (28834 bytes)    DCP_0811.JPG (31085 bytes)

Using a number 20 Torx bit, remove the lock cylinder retaining screw, and pull the lock cylinder straight out.

DCP_0765.JPG (22677 bytes)    DCP_0767.JPG (36487 bytes)    DCP_0768.JPG (39554 bytes)    DCP_0769.JPG (44744 bytes)

Remove the three screws securing the lock cylinder upper bowl assembly using a number 30 Torx bit.

DCP_0770.JPG (43597 bytes)

Pull the upper bowl assembly back while pulling on the wiper switch wiring and let hang free.

DCP_0771.JPG (29325 bytes)

Unscrew the tilt lever, and remove the dimmer switch actuator rod and sector cover housing.

DCP_0773.JPG (24558 bytes)    DCP_0772.JPG (27956 bytes)    DCP_0774.JPG (33371 bytes)    DCP_0775.JPG (35153 bytes)

Next, using a 1/4 socket, remove the screw securing the shaft lock bolt spring.  Unhook the spring from the shaft lock bolt and remove spring and bolt.

DCP_0776.JPG (29431 bytes)    DCP_0777.JPG (23573 bytes)    DCP_0778.JPG (30283 bytes)     

Pay particularly close attention to the lock bolt, spring, ignition rack and sector positions for re-assembly.  An exploded view is given below for reference.   

Scan0001.jpg (68130 bytes)    DCP_0779.JPG (30565 bytes)

Once you have these parts removed, using the modified tool, (or flat blade screwdriver,) push the tilt wheel spring retainer in and turn counter-clockwise and remove spring, retainer and spring guide.

DCP_0780.JPG (35989 bytes)    DCP_0781.JPG (41184 bytes)

You may probably see two of the housing support screws by now.

DCP_0782.JPG (24061 bytes)

However, to do the job correctly, you will need to expose and tighten the third and fourth screws.  The reason is simple...they are loose, (that's why we're here doing this repair in the first place,) and will eventually fall into the tilt steering sphere assembly and bind your steering.  A BIG NO-NO.  I have seen this all too often and have fired more than one mechanic for only tightening two of the four.  Any job worth doing is worth doing right!

Next, we'll need to remove the column housing by removing the two pivot pins using the pivot pin removal tool
specified earlier.

DCP_0783.JPG (27802 bytes)    DCP_0785.JPG (29404 bytes)    DCP_0784.JPG (30514 bytes)

Once the pins are removed, remove the upper steering shaft bearing race and retainer.

DCP_0786.JPG (27976 bytes)

Reinsert the tilt lever and pull toward you to unlock the housing assembly from the shoe assembly and pull the housing back and away.  Remove the tilt lever again.

DCP_0787.JPG (32552 bytes)

Now, all four screws are accessible.

DCP_0788.JPG (28813 bytes)    DCP_0789.JPG (29850 bytes)    DCP_0790.JPG (23300 bytes)    

Remove each screw one at a time, clean the threads, apply a dab of threadlocker.  Reinstall each screw and  tighten

DCP_0791.JPG (34714 bytes)

We really have a big pile of parts to clean up before reassembly.  I usually use a can of spray brake-clean and a rag to clean the parts. 

DCP_0792.JPG (42226 bytes)    DCP_0793.JPG (39588 bytes)

Now, we're ready to re-assemble the steering column.  Before putting anything back together, it's a good idea to coat your parts with wheel bearing grease.  The reason is two-fold:  the first, because it needs it, and the second, because it holds everything in place during assembly.

DCP_0794.JPG (24014 bytes)    DCP_0795.JPG (24602 bytes)    DCP_0796.JPG (31648 bytes)

Install the ignition rack, (making sure that you have attached it back to the ignition switch actuator rod) then reinstall the tilt lever and work the column housing back into place.  Once you have the housing installed, line up the pivot pin holes and reinsert the pins using a small brass hammer.

DCP_0798.JPG (30677 bytes)    

Also, you may have to line up your dimmer switch actuating rod with the dimmer switch.

DCP_0799.JPG (28346 bytes)

Next, reinstall the tilt wheel spring guide, spring and retainer using your modified tool, or flat blade driver and depress and turn clock-wise.

DCP_0800.JPG (37298 bytes)

Using the explode view as a guide, reinstall the ignition switch sector, lock plate bolt and spring.

Scan0001.jpg (68130 bytes)    DCP_0801.JPG (31184 bytes)    DCP_0802.JPG (22615 bytes)    DCP_0803.JPG (35343 bytes)

Reinstall the upper shaft bearing race and retainer.

DCP_0804.JPG (31508 bytes)

Reinstall the dimmer switch actuator rod cover housing making sure the rod and actuator are aligned.

DCP_0805.JPG (33368 bytes)    DCP_0806.JPG (36075 bytes)

Next, reinstall the upper column housing and tighten the three screws.

DCP_0808.JPG (39815 bytes)    

Now it's time to insert the ignition lock cylinder and confirm that it is installed and working properly before proceeding.

DCP_0809.JPG (41244 bytes)

If it works, install the retaining screw.

DCP_0812.JPG (30803 bytes)

Now, using a small pick or screwdriver, locate the little plastic tab on the bottom of the lock cylinder and push it upward to install the key-in ignition warning buzzer switch and spring.

DCP_0810.JPG (38139 bytes)    DCP_0813.JPG (38599 bytes)

Install the turn signal switch, switch actuator and hazard button and cruise switch lever.

DCP_0814.JPG (27344 bytes)    DCP_0815.JPG (41724 bytes)

Install the lock plate using the lock plate tool and replace the retaining ring and dust cover.

DCP_0816.JPG (26385 bytes)    DCP_0817.JPG (33151 bytes)    DCP_0751.JPG (34095 bytes)

I usually use sand paper and clean the horn assembly before reinstalling the steering wheel, nut, ring and button.

DCP_0818.JPG (39974 bytes)    DCP_0819.JPG (31008 bytes)

 

 

 




 
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G-Body Loose Tilt Steering Column Repair...Fix it right the first time.


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