Too much play in steering column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gonline71 · 12-30-2008, 03:52 PM

Recently I overhauled my steering column. Replaced both the upper and lower bearings, had it powdercoated, greased it and re-assembled. However, if I grab the steering wheel it seems to have too much play up and down. Is this normal or did I not seat the upper bearing correctly?

Any other potential causes?

Thank you

Painter D · 12-30-2008, 07:01 PM

I think there's a nut on top of the gear box that adjusts "play" in the steering.

Maybe somebody else will chime in on that.

Wilson_ · 12-30-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonline71

Recently I overhauled my steering column. Replaced both the upper and lower bearings, had it powdercoated, greased it and re-assembled. However, if I grab the steering wheel it seems to have too much play up and down. Is this normal or did I not seat the upper bearing correctly?

Any other potential causes?

Thank you

I had the same problem, I just tightened the steering wheel bolt and it went away.

When you say grab do you mean at like 12 and 6 oclock then push forward and pull back?

Thats what mine was doing.

Good luck I hate a sloppy steering wheel!!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 12-30-2008, 08:28 PM

There should be a spring on the lower end of the column that pulls the bearings together. If it is not there then the steering wheel can be easily pulled up and down.

Jim

Painter D · 12-30-2008, 08:56 PM

OOPS

I just re-read your post. I gave you a remedy for a different symptom. Good luck.

gonline71 · 12-31-2008, 01:05 PM

The play that I am experiencing is if you grab the steering wheel at 10 & 2, the steering wheel moves up towards windshield and down towards the floor. I don't have issues if I were to compress the column (ie push towards the floor board).

Hopefully this will clarify the problem.

Thanks guys

Wilson_ · 12-31-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilson_

I had the same problem, I just tightened the steering wheel bolt and it went away.

When you say grab do you mean at like 12 and 6 oclock then push forward and pull back?

Thats what mine was doing.

Good luck I hate a sloppy steering wheel!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonline71

The play that I am experiencing is if you grab the steering wheel at 10 & 2, the steering wheel moves up towards windshield and down towards the floor. I don't have issues if I were to compress the column (ie push towards the floor board).

Hopefully this will clarify the problem.

Thanks guys

OK thanks

Try what I said above.

**john** · 12-31-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

There should be a spring on the lower end of the column that pulls the bearings together. If it is not there then the steering wheel can be easily pulled up and down.

Jim

On a non tilt column when you tighten the steering wheel nut it sandwiches the bearings between the lower spring and nut. If everything is in place you will not have any slack.

12-30-2008, 03:52 PM	#1
gonline71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 134	Too much play in steering column Recently I overhauled my steering column. Replaced both the upper and lower bearings, had it powdercoated, greased it and re-assembled. However, if I grab the steering wheel it seems to have too much play up and down. Is this normal or did I not seat the upper bearing correctly? Any other potential causes? Thank you

12-30-2008, 07:01 PM	#2
Painter D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW (Forney) Posts: 1,529	Re: Too much play in steering column I think there's a nut on top of the gear box that adjusts "play" in the steering. Maybe somebody else will chime in on that. __________________ '58 SWB Fleetside...Front & Rear Porterbuilt Dropmember, 6.0 LS /4L60E. Accuair E-level, 20 Billet Specialties (Vintecs) '63 Buick Riviera ... AccuAir E-level, 20" Billet Specialties (Vintecs) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=528853&page=5

12-30-2008, 08:28 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Too much play in steering column There should be a spring on the lower end of the column that pulls the bearings together. If it is not there then the steering wheel can be easily pulled up and down. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

12-30-2008, 08:56 PM	#5
Painter D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW (Forney) Posts: 1,529	Re: Too much play in steering column OOPS I just re-read your post. I gave you a remedy for a different symptom. Good luck. __________________ '58 SWB Fleetside...Front & Rear Porterbuilt Dropmember, 6.0 LS /4L60E. Accuair E-level, 20 Billet Specialties (Vintecs) '63 Buick Riviera ... AccuAir E-level, 20" Billet Specialties (Vintecs) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=528853&page=5

12-31-2008, 01:05 PM	#6
gonline71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pleasanton, CA Posts: 134	Re: Too much play in steering column The play that I am experiencing is if you grab the steering wheel at 10 & 2, the steering wheel moves up towards windshield and down towards the floor. I don't have issues if I were to compress the column (ie push towards the floor board). Hopefully this will clarify the problem. Thanks guys



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