So for a while now I've been noticing, and increasingly worrying about, how loose my steering wheel is. Not really the wheel itself, more like the entire column. It feels as though the height lock is broken, because it flops around up and down and a little to the left but drives just fine in any position. Also the lever that you press to adjust the height only seems to lock in place on the lowest setting, which is what I would use anyway but it makes me worried nonetheless when it feels so loose. I'm wondering if there's any way to Jerry rig it in place so it won't move? I don't want to take apart the column since it's my DD and I don't need to be able to adjust the height, but something that would keep it stiff would be wonderful. I've tried putting a shim in between where the column meets the plastic sleeve thing but there wasn't enough overlap and it just fell right out.
Had the same problem about 3 months ago. Didn't take anymore that a couple of hours start to finish.There's 4 torx bolts way down inside of the column that need Loctite and tightening. Ogre's Cave has a write up and Google GM tilt wheel for some step by step pictures. Good luck.
There is no way to rig it so it won't flop around, you need to take the column apart and tighten the 4 loose tilt screws. There are plenty of videos on YouTube that show how to do it or any good repair shop should be able to do it for you. It's only about an hour job for anybody with GM column experience so it shouldn't cost too much to do.
I have a hammer and a pair of pliers. Haha kidding I have a few more tools than that but none of those special ones I don't think... I'll figure something out though. Just go until I either get it done or can't go any farther. Thanks for all the help. I hadn't bothered to look it up so sorry for any redundant questions. I wasn't aware it was a common problem...
tool #1 you can rent at any autoparts store for free.. you get your deposit back when you bring the tool back tool #2 you maybe able to rent also, this has been hit or miss, no matter most parts stores sell them for 5-8 bucks ,or harbor freight tool #3 I've never used.. tool #4 you'll have to buy, parts store/sears/harbor freight tool #5 your cell phone or a digital camera to take pics of step by step as you take it apart, it'll help as you put it back together and a tube of lock tight.. blue if you think you might ever have to remove the bolts again, red if you'll never be back..
tools... 1. 2. must have 3. if stuck. You can pull w/ just a screw and pull the screw w/ pliers. SAE screw, I think 6-32 or 8-32 4. Nice but not really needed. 6 point socket or even long pliers will do. can't remember size socket. Bolts don't use much torque or the metal threads the bolts go into will bend etc.
See my Cave, Steering links for take apart and other notes
This is often cause by people pulling steering wheel to get in/out of car. Related problem people claiming tilt fails to hold when doing same thing. If you treat steering wheel for handle to get in/out of car then likely will be doing this again. Column is made to be "weak" for crash safety and can fail by repeatedly abusing.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Actually tools 1 and 2 you don't really need. I bet they are nice to have but...
You can make a wheel puller yourself, with a little welding and two bolts. As for the lock plate compressor i just sat firmly in the seat and pushed the lock plate with my heels so I could take the pin out. I don't necessarily recommend it but if there's no tools to be found you can get away with it.
