last year I replaced steering rack and steering column due to a small accident. The "new" column was partly rebuild with parts of my old column, but the tilt mechanism is getting loose these days.....

1. Is it save to drive for another few days?

I guess I have to take the damn thing apart (again) this weekend to get to the 3 screws. I only could find 2 of those when I had it apart ?!!
And I guess I need to use locktite because it looks they like too loosen up to easy.....
anyone other advice?

Hi Fie Ro,
I have just finished tightening up the 4 (yes vier!!)torx bolts on my GT.Nerves slowed me down, because I was afraid of breaking parts, but when I had it all apart, I found it wasn't so bad after all!!Yes, USE LOCTITE!!!!They come loose very easily, and although it has no fears for me now, I wouldn't want to do it every three months!! When I took my column apart,I found two of the bolts right out, and one just 2mm in, and the fourth was half in. I drove mine back from Germany only 4 weeks ago like that, and I don't think it is advisable to drive any distance with it loose. You don't have to take it completely apart to get at the bolts, but I am a bit worried that you say you only have three...there are four!!
If you don't have the tool to remove the spring locking plate, I will send you a design I made myself in about 5 minutes.I used a 3 legged puller to remove the steering wheel. If you have problems, pm me and I will send you my telephone no. and talk direct!!!
Fierofetish
PS How is the new rear of your GT looking now?
PPS: The bolts come loose because there is no power assisted steering, and the wheel is so small, when you turn the steering in a stationary mode, it puts a lot of pressure on those torx bolts!!!

[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 09-17-2003).]

Thanx Fetish! Getting the steeringwheel off shouldn't be a big problem this time because it is on for only a year. For the spring lockingplate I used a small nail....I got it under the spring, tapped it around with a small hammer and it jumps out....first time was very difficult but now I know the trick! But I am curious in your design if it works easier...

Yeah, there are a lot of parts, I layed them in order so I wouldn't miss anything. At that time I had 2 steeringcolumns in parts on the table

about the rear of my GT: I am on a "mac" right now (no PIP) so you'll have to click the link in my sign. I am close to finishing the frontbumper.....but work is quite busy now and daylight is getting shorter...cant wait to have it finished!

Hi fie Ro!!
Did you get the pics I emailed to you of my spring lockplate remover?
Nick (fierofetish)

[This message has been edited by fierofetish (edited 09-23-2003).]

Anybody got pics on how to do this? My wheel wobbles back and forth too.. and ive never successfully taken apart the column

Thanks!
James Z

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- 2.8v6, 5spd
- no cat, msd ignition/coil, K&N

Thanks Nick I got your pictures.

However I am sooo busy with work these weeks, I only had about 2 hours yesterday before I had to hit the road again...
Anyway, start was slow, I had only a too short 2 leg puller for the steeringwheel, Had to improvise to get it off. Didn't had time to fabricate a lockingplate remover or adapt anything close. Used my old method (Grrr) and after that all went quite fast. I didn't get the tilthousing out itself, But now I know how to do it; A guy I know at the garage/club (with a 60's BB Buick Boattail) knew how to get it out......however I could reach the 2 lower bolts (one was loose) Got those out and put them back with some locktite applied and the wibbly wobbly is completely gone! I saw 1 of the upper bolts was a bit loose too but couldn't get too it. I think it is very tight now, it is a pity I had to leave 1 bolt uncorrected in there but at least it felt very save driving again...I guess reassembling the column took only 15 minutes For the locking plate: luckily there were some people around so when I pushed the lockingplate in (it is quite easy when your in the driversseat and the column in the car), someone else put in the locking ring retainer.....

Spline: next time I'll take pictures!

You need to tighten all four bolts. This requires removing the 2 pivot pins to gain access to the bolts. A loose bolt will eventually fall out and jam the steering wheel. BTDT. Here are some pics that I've got on a partially completed column repair procedure:
http://web2.airmail.net/jsavage1/repairprocedures/tiltcolumn/

Here are the bolts:

To fabricate a pivot pin puller, uses a hardened grade 8 bolt, like an allen screw, and a crescent wrench prying against the underside of the bolt head to pull the bolt out.

JazzMan

I was just going to mention there was a recent thread with pictures of the culprite bolts, but Jazzman, you beat me to it with your very pictures.

Anyway, they loosen not because of the manual steering, since even power assist vehicles seem to do the same, with the Saginaw column. I think it has more to do with the long bolts and not much of a shoulder around them, and the lack of full positive 360 degree thread where they thread into the column casing.

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The Raven :Under Construction
"James" 1985 GMC Jimmy, 3.2L turbocharged intercooled hybrid

"Speed Costs, How fast do you want to go?"

if I have go to thru all those steps jazzman, im going to crap.. what a pain in the ass for such a simple little problem..

Its nessisary to remove all that stuff?!

James Z

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- 2.8v6, 5spd
- no cat, msd ignition/coil, K&N

Yes you need to remove everything......It seems difficult the first time but if you keep all the parts in order it is quite self-explaining.
If never had it as far as the above picture, couldn't get the pivot pins out.....now I know you first have to remove a spring underneath (turn the locking piece 1/4 and it jumps out...now there's less tension on the pivot pins.....I will do that next time...
The bolts are long and threaded all the way but only a small part screws in...use LOCTITE!