steering slop question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hotrodhomi · 09-20-2005, 11:56 AM

I have slop in my steering wheel. Not loose steering side to side when you turn the wheel but it acts like a loose steering wheel. I can move the wheel around by lifting up on it. Can something be loose or is it just worn out. The nut that hold on the wheel is tight. What can I do?

Russell · 09-20-2005, 11:59 AM

If you have a tilt column, the 4 little torx bolts at the base of the tilting mechanism need to be tightened. Just take the column apart (not very tough, don't worry about it) and loctite those 4 bolts in with permenant loctite.

This is a very common problem with these truck's tilt columns

Usually the primary cause is you using it as a handle to get in (I know I do all the time!)

hotrodhomi · 09-20-2005, 12:57 PM

I have tilt. How deep into the column is it. I don't pull my self into the truck with the steering wheel but it was a little loose before I bought it. I could see that happening on a lifted truck but mine is lowerd. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I take it apart tonight if I get off from work in time.

Slonaker · 09-20-2005, 02:27 PM

http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

Some instructions.

I need to do this. I replaced my turn signal lever and switch in December, but the column was tight. By February it was loose, and now I get to take everything apart again.

Slonaker

hobbz · 09-20-2005, 04:04 PM

man, i need to do this too, thanks for posting the how-to

SmittySmith · 09-20-2005, 04:28 PM

Well, as you can see by the instructions it's fairly deep... I wish I had had the instructions before I did mine.. but got through it OK. You will want to do the fix, because the problem will not go away, only get worse. I would reccomend you start on a Saturday morning or anytime that you will have some time, you don't want to start it thinking its only a 30 minute job... most aren't! SS.

Slonaker · 09-20-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmittySmith

you don't want to start it thinking its only a 30 minute job... most aren't! SS.

I an't change my oil in 30 minutes. Something always goes wrong when I work on this truck. It is guaranteed...

Slonaker

hotrodhomi · 09-21-2005, 10:11 AM

This, unfortunately, was not the problem. I have a bad bearing deep inside, near the shifter knob. I’m not sure how to fix it. Would it be easier to just replace the whole column? I’m pretty sure I would need to remove it anyway to replace the bearings.

hotrodhomi · 09-22-2005, 01:22 AM

no response huh? I guess I'll be yanking it out.

boxrodz · 09-22-2005, 02:03 AM

I believe it's possible to get to the bearings without taking out the steering column. You'll need a few special tools to disassemble the column. The truck shop manual does have the step-by-step details. Do you have access to one? It's probably quicker (and easier) to replace the whole unit.

hotrodhomi · 09-22-2005, 02:12 PM

Well I got it out. But i'm not sure the extra one I have will work. What do I need to do the swap these, if anything? In the top pic the bottom one and in the bottom pic the left one is what come out of my truck.

Jonboy · 09-22-2005, 02:26 PM

If you have the lower shaft to the new to your truck column, it should bolt up. You may need to swap the wiring plug between columns if it doesn't plug right up.

hotrodhomi · 09-22-2005, 02:36 PM

so I if I go and get the shaft from the rag joint up it will work?

hotrodhomi · 09-22-2005, 04:43 PM

What year uses the spline style like the one on the left?

hotrodhomi · 09-23-2005, 12:44 PM

I think it was the early style. It might be a '73. I found a guy that will rebuild my old one for $250 it that reasonable?

SSC's76 · 09-23-2005, 02:42 PM

$250 seems a little high since it's alreay removed but if that includes all new parts (turn signal cam assembly, IGN switch, Key ect) go for it. I'm not sure on the spline deal, my 76 is the non splined type.

Jonboy · 09-23-2005, 03:10 PM

$250 is not terribly unreasonable around here, I don't think.

If you go get the shaft from the rag joint up, it should work.

hotrodhomi · 09-23-2005, 05:01 PM

I think I found a shaft. The guy wants $40. I'm waiting for him to get off work so I can get it.

hotrodhomi · 09-24-2005, 03:11 PM

I got the shaft and the column is almost in. The harnest has all the same wires but doesn't fit. Does every thing line up in the correct order or am I looking at a fire if I force it in there. The new column is a '73 and the truck harness is a '81.

hotrodhomi · 09-24-2005, 04:58 PM

I got the turn signals to work. The singal wires and the horn are the only wires in the long skinny plug, right? What are the other plugs for? Nuetral safety switch and ?? My truck is not starting. what plug should I be looking at? Please help.

*DroppedZ84* · 09-25-2005, 12:01 AM

$250?! WOW! That's highway robbery!
I had my tilt column rebuilt locally for $100.

hotrodhomi · 09-25-2005, 12:03 AM

The truck is back on the road!

piecesparts · 09-26-2005, 11:54 AM

Something that is not in the instructions on the column disassembly; there is a tool for pulling the pins from the tilt housing, which will allow for reaching ALL four of the torx bolts. Snap-On sells them and they are kinda wierd in design. There is a small bolt that screws into the pin and then a cup assembly sits over it to allow for a nut to be tightened down pulling the pin. If you get a small bolt threaded into the pin and get a small slide hammer, you can do the same thing. There is a pin on each side (pivot point for the tilt) and once they are out of the way the upper steering column unit swings out of the way (sort of).

hotrodhomi · 09-26-2005, 12:21 PM

My column was diffrent inside anyway. The one in the "how-to" looks much newer.

09-20-2005, 11:56 AM	#1
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	steering slop question I have slop in my steering wheel. Not loose steering side to side when you turn the wheel but it acts like a loose steering wheel. I can move the wheel around by lifting up on it. Can something be loose or is it just worn out. The nut that hold on the wheel is tight. What can I do?

09-20-2005, 11:59 AM	#2
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	If you have a tilt column, the 4 little torx bolts at the base of the tilting mechanism need to be tightened. Just take the column apart (not very tough, don't worry about it) and loctite those 4 bolts in with permenant loctite. This is a very common problem with these truck's tilt columns Usually the primary cause is you using it as a handle to get in (I know I do all the time!) __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

09-20-2005, 02:27 PM	#4
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html Some instructions. I need to do this. I replaced my turn signal lever and switch in December, but the column was tight. By February it was loose, and now I get to take everything apart again. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

09-20-2005, 04:04 PM	#5
hobbz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ashland, ky Posts: 632	man, i need to do this too, thanks for posting the how-to __________________ Hobbz-Garage 1987 Short Step 350/350

09-22-2005, 02:03 AM	#10
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	I believe it's possible to get to the bearings without taking out the steering column. You'll need a few special tools to disassemble the column. The truck shop manual does have the step-by-step details. Do you have access to one? It's probably quicker (and easier) to replace the whole unit. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

09-20-2005, 12:57 PM	#3
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	I have tilt. How deep into the column is it. I don't pull my self into the truck with the steering wheel but it was a little loose before I bought it. I could see that happening on a lifted truck but mine is lowerd. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I take it apart tonight if I get off from work in time.

09-20-2005, 04:28 PM	#6
SmittySmith '82 GMC Sierra Classic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 82	Well, as you can see by the instructions it's fairly deep... I wish I had had the instructions before I did mine.. but got through it OK. You will want to do the fix, because the problem will not go away, only get worse. I would reccomend you start on a Saturday morning or anytime that you will have some time, you don't want to start it thinking its only a 30 minute job... most aren't! SS.

09-21-2005, 10:11 AM	#8
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	This, unfortunately, was not the problem. I have a bad bearing deep inside, near the shifter knob. I’m not sure how to fix it. Would it be easier to just replace the whole column? I’m pretty sure I would need to remove it anyway to replace the bearings.

09-22-2005, 01:22 AM	#9
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	no response huh? I guess I'll be yanking it out.

09-22-2005, 02:12 PM	#11
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Well I got it out. But i'm not sure the extra one I have will work. What do I need to do the swap these, if anything? In the top pic the bottom one and in the bottom pic the left one is what come out of my truck. Attached Images Last edited by hotrodhomi; 09-22-2005 at 02:14 PM.

09-22-2005, 02:26 PM	#12
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	If you have the lower shaft to the new to your truck column, it should bolt up. You may need to swap the wiring plug between columns if it doesn't plug right up. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

09-22-2005, 02:36 PM	#13
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	so I if I go and get the shaft from the rag joint up it will work?

09-22-2005, 04:43 PM	#14
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	What year uses the spline style like the one on the left?

09-23-2005, 12:44 PM	#15
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	I think it was the early style. It might be a '73. I found a guy that will rebuild my old one for $250 it that reasonable?

09-23-2005, 02:42 PM	#16
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	$250 seems a little high since it's alreay removed but if that includes all new parts (turn signal cam assembly, IGN switch, Key ect) go for it. I'm not sure on the spline deal, my 76 is the non splined type. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler



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09-23-2005, 03:10 PM	#17
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	$250 is not terribly unreasonable around here, I don't think. If you go get the shaft from the rag joint up, it should work. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

09-23-2005, 05:01 PM	#18
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	I think I found a shaft. The guy wants $40. I'm waiting for him to get off work so I can get it.

09-24-2005, 03:11 PM	#19
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	I got the shaft and the column is almost in. The harnest has all the same wires but doesn't fit. Does every thing line up in the correct order or am I looking at a fire if I force it in there. The new column is a '73 and the truck harness is a '81.

09-24-2005, 04:58 PM	#20
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	I got the turn signals to work. The singal wires and the horn are the only wires in the long skinny plug, right? What are the other plugs for? Nuetral safety switch and ?? My truck is not starting. what plug should I be looking at? Please help.

09-25-2005, 12:01 AM	#21
DroppedZ84 Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 186	$250?! WOW! That's highway robbery! I had my tilt column rebuilt locally for $100.

09-25-2005, 12:03 AM	#22
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	The truck is back on the road!

09-26-2005, 11:54 AM	#23
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Something that is not in the instructions on the column disassembly; there is a tool for pulling the pins from the tilt housing, which will allow for reaching ALL four of the torx bolts. Snap-On sells them and they are kinda wierd in design. There is a small bolt that screws into the pin and then a cup assembly sits over it to allow for a nut to be tightened down pulling the pin. If you get a small bolt threaded into the pin and get a small slide hammer, you can do the same thing. There is a pin on each side (pivot point for the tilt) and once they are out of the way the upper steering column unit swings out of the way (sort of).

09-26-2005, 12:21 PM	#24
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	My column was diffrent inside anyway. The one in the "how-to" looks much newer.

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