Bandel

I just replaced the ignition lock cylinder in my C3. I put the steering wheel back on and noticed there is looseness in the column when I push down on the steering wheel at about the 7-8 O'clock. I've read the Jim Shea papers, and none of the troubleshooting steps really line up with this. The steering wheel is "tight" up and down and left and right, but loose at this one particular position. It will always return to its normal position when I stop pushing on it. I'd say it moves about 1/4" if not a little more.

Any idea? I really hope I don't have to pull the entire column, since I just had it completely apart.. I don't think this is a new problem, just the first time I have noticed it.

AboveTheLogic

Did you pull the upper bearing when changing the ignition tumbler? Replacing that bearing with a new clip during the process might have made a difference.

HT1663WB

That happens over time. The knuckle is worn and the steel pivot pin no longer fits snug in the aluminum knuckle. It's usually just the drivers side. My 71 is the same way. I rebuilt my column but I could not get a new knuckle. I paid 50.00 for an oversized pivot pin but that did not work. I decided to just live with it. Good luck.

TimAT

Pull the wheel back off, then the upper shroud. Put the wheel back on and find where it's loose. Without knowing exactly what's shaking around it's like trying to find an electrical short with no electricity.

Tomi72

I had the exact same thing on my -72. There was more than half an inch of slop, it was also to the 7-8 o'clock direction. I had to buy another gm tilt column (from a caddy of same era) and cannibalize it for spare parts.

Here's a photo of the part that I replaced, if you look at the worn part on the right, you can see the ear where the pin goes through has been bent.






If this problem is new or feels worse now after the column was apart, maybe the drivers side pivot pin is just not quite fully seated causing similar symptoms??

0Willcox Corvette

Lower column tube torn or the pivot housing is damaged... Those are the only two things that come to my mind .... and I'd definitely want to know too..