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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Steering Columns => Topic started by: 1979C20 on September 12, 2012, 12:51:15 AM

Title: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 12, 2012, 12:51:15 AM
I just followed the how to in the tech section for fixing a sloppy column, but sadly, It is still sloppy. Not AS sloppy but it is still pretty bad. Any Ideas on what might be wrong and how to fix it?
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: Captkaos on September 12, 2012, 04:42:37 PM
Did you tighten all the torx bolts?
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 12, 2012, 10:54:57 PM
All 4 of the inverted torx. And I put loctite on each one.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: Captkaos on September 13, 2012, 03:12:42 PM
Pivot pins in?  Where is it "loose"
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 14, 2012, 07:08:39 AM
I can take the wheel when the key is locked and move the wheel about 3" left right, up and down. NOT turning it, but lifting it. The lower part of the column is solid to the dash, but the whole upper part is loose and sags down from center.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: Sartobuilt on September 14, 2012, 07:54:06 AM
After taking the column apart and tightening the 4 torx bolts and still have a loose colunm is a hard one to grasp. Did you do them one at a time? How tight did you tighten them? I have had the threads pull out of the lower housing before.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 14, 2012, 09:16:36 AM
I cranked them down with my 1/4" drive ratchet, so They're tight, but I didn't want to over-do it. I know for a fact it is not the bolts.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: zieg85 on September 14, 2012, 09:21:56 AM
When you wiggle the steering wheel around, is it the column or the wheel itself.  I have had the bearing under the steering wheel locking mechanism been in wrong. My $.02
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 14, 2012, 09:28:17 AM
Its the whole upper column. Not just the wheel, and I think I know what you mean about the bearing, because when I had the inner race out the wheel moved around a bit. But, its the upper part of the column, where the column tilts.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: zieg85 on September 14, 2012, 09:33:01 AM
Its the whole upper column. Not just the wheel, and I think I know what you mean about the bearing, because when I had the inner race out the wheel moved around a bit. But, its the upper part of the column, where the column tilts.

I have had the pot metal piece crack on me before.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 14, 2012, 09:48:43 AM
Great. That sounds fun and hard to find.
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: zieg85 on September 14, 2012, 09:52:36 AM
Easier to get another tilt column IMO. 
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: Captkaos on September 18, 2012, 02:53:19 PM
Sounds like something else is broke if the whole upper section is moving.  Did you notice anything broken when you had it down?
Title: Re: sloppy column
Post by: 1979C20 on September 19, 2012, 12:20:48 AM
I couldnt find anything broken. I though the turn signal cam was, because it wont stay down to the left, I have to hold it, but it ended up being the mechanism where the wiper stalk hooks into, not the plastic cams. Other than that, nothing was wrong. Although I didnt go any further than the 4 bolts. I dont know if I mentioned it but I can plull the steering wheel towards me like half an inch as well. And sometimes when I put it in park the upper bowl will spin around to where the wiper switch is pointing at the rocker panel.