One to lift one edge of the ring, and one to slide it up the column THEN slowly release the tension on the lock ring compressor. Remove it completely and the ring and all will slide up the column.
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05:05 PM
CoryFiero Member
Posts: 4341 From: Charleston, SC Registered: Oct 2001
If you are trying to remove the steering column, you just wasted prob an hour or so....considering your prob removing the lock ring.
To remove the column.......remove 2 nuts...maybe bolts..I forget, that hold the column connected to the dash. Get under the car and push the plastic like bellows that cover the steering coupling and remove the bolt that holds the two pieces. Take a screwdriver and insert into gap in the coupling to separate it enough to separate the column shaft and the Ujoint assm. Then disconnect the wires that to to the wiper, cruise control, turn signals and anything else that you need to disconnect.....ah brakes too.......and pull it from the car. If I missed anything, you find it......lol.
Phil
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08:51 PM
GTDude Member
Posts: 9056 From: Keysville, Virginia, USA Registered: Nov 2001
I could sit here and tell you howl, but it's much easier if you go to "the orgre's care" I believe he has an accurate discription. It is not fun. Unless you are an auto tech or have done lots of them....even then.......it's a ***** .
Phil
------------------ 87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd
GM auto tech for 27 years. Specializing in electrical and computer problems. Now on workers comp. and it looks like I will be unable to return to work as a tech.
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08:54 PM
FieroMaster88 Member
Posts: 7680 From: Mattawan, MI Registered: Nov 2000
Heh, I just pulled out my column today.. fancy that
There are 2 bolts and 2 nuts, and one on the clamp that holds the shaft in..
I removed all teh bolts, and yanked on the column by the supports.. 2-3 good yanks and she'll pop right out.. then you can pull it apart.. like what im doing..
So hopefully in the next day or so ill have enough motivation to take the 2 columns I have and make one good one... I managed to break off my pin puller in the original.. talk about a great screw up... My new column is one that Dallas (Fiero Type S) gave me.. it was pulled out of his coupe when it was broken into.. So it has a busted column cover, and wiper/headlight arm.. but these are good on my GT..
Now is the time to decide if I want to paint it yellow or not... damn I cant decide
I've done them in and out of the car. I prefer out most of the time. I do take off the steering wheel before removing the column as it's easier with the column mounted. I like to do them out because I usually go thru the whole column and it's allot more comfortable when I have room to spread stuff out. I clean and grease everything that needs it and so on.
For most non techs, I would recomend you leave it in the car. (That assumes you have a warm place to work this time of year...)
However you do it... Get a couple boxes and some plastic containers or jars to put small items in. It is really easy to loose one or more of the small parts and you won't easily find replacements for many of them.
If you want to help keep it from moving around... bind a section of 2x4 to the big mounting bracket. That will help reduce sliding and rolling across a table or bench but let you move it as needed.
------------------ The only thing George Orwell got wrong was the year.
I like doing them in the car, saves having to mess with the auto cable connection. It also gives me a comfortable place to sit, and I lay everything out on clean paper on the floorboards. I do remove the mounting bracket, but leave the lower part of the column connected unless I need to service the lower bearings.
JazzMan
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10:55 PM
Mar 17th, 2004
SplineZ Member
Posts: 952 From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2002
As you can see, Im FUBAR'd until I can find the dremel or a drill
my damn pin puller broke off in the hole.. now its going to be a whole lotta fun getting that beeyotch out. Ah well, Im unemployed and have nothing in the world i'd rather be doing (yea you guessed it too.. no GF at the moment, haha)
I should make a better pin puller.. My father just got a lathe.. should make for an interesting lil experiment ..
James Z
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01:24 AM
GTDude Member
Posts: 9056 From: Keysville, Virginia, USA Registered: Nov 2001
I got my pin puller from CarQuest. They had it in stock. It needs to be hardened steel bolt to remove them without breaking the threaded part off.
Phil
------------------ 87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd
GM auto tech for 27 years. Specializing in electrical and computer problems. Now on workers comp. and it looks like I will be unable to return to work as a tech.
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05:12 AM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Here's the tread for when I had to tighten my steering column. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/044450.html The thread has links to the info I used and pics as well. All the info I needed to get through tightening my column can be found from that thread. It's not hard, just tedious. Go slow. Look at lots of pics.
I found the "GM Tilt Wheel Pivot Pin Puller" at my local Pep Boys. It's in the specialty tools aisle. The star bit torx bolts are hard to get to. I had some star bits, but they wouldn't fit inside the column. I ended up tightening mine down with a 1/4" drive nut driver without a bit in it. That fit nice and snug on the bolts. I also used Loctite Red so I wouldn't have to do it again anytime soon.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
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12:21 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
I have done it a few times now. I recommend to take it out of the car, at least the first time. Because you will do a lot of looking around to see how everything is connected!
Lay all the parts in a row when dissasembling.....you will know why.
I looked for pullers etc around here but they're not available so I made my own. I use a nail and a hammer to get the spring compressor ring off: Put the nail under the ring at the gap and tap it around...
Oh yeah: release the tilt spring (turn the retainer 1/4) before you try to get the pivot bolts out! That will take the tension off these bolts.
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12:53 PM
CoryFiero Member
Posts: 4341 From: Charleston, SC Registered: Oct 2001
Is there anyway to get this gear off? My old column is wreched from my attemps to get out that pivot, the newer column however has that gear broken off.. is there anyway to transplant the gear from the old one onto the new one?
How do I get the bearings out in the shaft to clean them?
James Z
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03:51 PM
Fie Ro Member
Posts: 3735 From: Soest, The Netherlands Registered: Sep 2001
That gear is connected to the lock cilinder. It unlocks the steeringwheel when key is turned. Doesn't it just slide out after removing some retainer? (remove lock-cilinder first!)
I regreased the bearing balls on the top part, mainly because they fell out But if you want to get into the shaft I guess it is too much work....when you've fixed the infamous 4 torx's you wont be thinking about any bearings!
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1987 Pontiac Fiero GTR in Progress 1969 Chevy Suburban
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04:57 PM
SplineZ Member
Posts: 952 From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2002
Well i got it all apart, cept for that gear.. Im just gunna use the top end on of my old column on the other one.. I misplaced one of the balls that fell out, so i have to canabilize 2 columns to get one whole one
Ill keep some sort of visual diary thruout my ordeal I love digital cameras, eheh
James Z
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07:05 PM
Mar 18th, 2004
SplineZ Member
Posts: 952 From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Registered: Nov 2002
It looks correct. I can't quite tell in your pic but there is a hook on the top of the funny looking wire that hooks to the slot in the lock rod. It allows the rod to hold in position to the gear.
To remove the plastic gear, simply pry it off, it is a press fit.