Steering Column help

[Gregsenne]

My tilt column from my 86 silverado was extremely loose, so I disassembled it and tightened the 4 inverted star bolts and put red loctite on them to fix the problem. Then reassembled the column, and put it back in the truck.
I must've done something wrong, because the steering shaft is falling out of the steering column. At the end where the intermediate shaft connects, the shaft inside the column is sticking out at least 2 inches past where it should be.
I've almost got the column disassembled again, and now my pivot pin threads are stripped.
So before I tap out the pivot pin and tear the column apart all the way, anyone have any ideas to get the shaft back in the column without disassembly? I've tried turning and pushing (it doesn't work).
Thanks!

[Pop's C-10]

Have you tried to tap on tha bushing...if i recall there should be more more of tha shaft than area sticking out..

[Slonaker]

I have a pic of my column out of my '86 (I replaced it in December...) you can look at if you'd like. I would post it, but I don't have Internet access where I am right now. PM me if you want a pic, and I'll post it late tonight or tomorrow.

Slonaker
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[Gregsenne]

I ended up tearing the column apart down past the pivot pins, and everything seems fine. I'm not sure exactly what holds the steering shaft inside the column, though. Once I got the pivot assembly removed, I was able to slide the shaft up where it should be, then I installed the intermediate shaft to prevent the steering shaft from falling through the column again. Then reassembled everything INSTALLED in the truck this time (last time I reassembled it on a table). I didn't install anything to keep the steering shaft where it was (besides the intermediate shaft), so I'm sure if I took my intermediate shaft out, the steering shaft would fall out of the column again...

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

Have you tried to tap on tha bushing...if i recall there should be more more of tha shaft than area sticking out..

No that bushing attached to the inner steering shaft is attached to the shaft. And all the other trucks I've looked at they stick out that far too.

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I have a pic of my column out of my '86 (I replaced it in December...) you can look at if you'd like.

Thanks, but I don't need a pic of the column. I have other trucks to reference, I was just trying to save myself from tearing the column apart (unless you have a pic of how the inner shaft is retained in the column)


THANKS.

[esbstuff]

The steering column is collapsible, meaning if you should ever get in a bad wreck, the steering column will shorten and not stick the wheel in your chest.

What you have done is break the 2 plastic rivits that hold the 2 pieces together, but not a big deal. This problem usually happens whe you do not use the spring compressor tool to remove/intall the locking clip. (or someone else has had the column apart before and didn't use it. Been there, done that... If you don't have the tool, most parts stores will 'rent' it to you or just splurge the $12 and buy one, you will need it again!) The pieces will only go together one way. You will just need to tap the pieces back together from the outside. It would appear that the pieces inside are still together given the picture.

If all else fails, (or if the outside piece has come completely out and you need to reintsert the flat spring that is inbetween the 2 pieces) you will need to disassemble your column back down to the shaft joint, pull the whole shaft out, reassemble the shaft and reinstall. If it bothers you, you can take some hot glue and stick the glue in the rivits holes. I personally won't worry about it.

---Word of WARNING--- DO not use anything other than the glue to hold the pieces together. If you used for example bolts and you should ever get in a wreck (I know you are a good driver, but what about the idot that crosses the center line???) , the column wouldn't collapse and the steering wheel will be insterted in your chest at the speed of light...

[Gregsenne]

Where are these two plastic rivets you are talking about?
I know the column collapses in a wreck, but I always thought it was the intermediate shaft that collapsed, not the steering column itself.

And yes, I used a screwdriver and my thumbs to get the lock plate off. I didn't have the tool.

Thanks

[esbstuff]

The plastic rivits just hold the shaft together. I believe its the same green stuff that holds the orginal u-joints in/together if you ever have seen that. Hot glue works just as well. Anyone that does crafts will have what you need.

The steering column assembly actually collapses in 2 sections, once in the intermeiate shaft and once in the steering column itself. I believe the column itself will actually shorten approx 8 inches.

And... go buy the tool...

Originally Posted by Gregsenne

Where are these two plastic rivets you are talking about?
I know the column collapses in a wreck, but I always thought it was the intermediate shaft that collapsed, not the steering column itself.

And yes, I used a screwdriver and my thumbs to get the lock plate off. I didn't have the tool.

Thanks

[motornut]

when i did my coupler, i was able to slide up this part up inside enough, here to do it

[dman1982]

I've had that similar problem with my column, spent many hours trying to fix it, its just easier to replace it and you can find a good one pretty cheap.