Too Much Play in Steering Column
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Too Much Play in Steering Column
I recently went through an extensive steering column rebuild. I had to replace the rack. I replaced the two bearings. It is best described as looseness at the steering wheel in the most extended telescoped position. I just looked at it internally and see no issue. With your suggestions I will disassemble the thing again and look for any errors that I may have made.
Emerging Vendor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 114
From: San Diego CA
The tilt bowl screws were tightened down? Is there any play in the wheel with the telescoping all the way in? The telescoping shaft fit snugly in the upper yolk? I dont see what else would cause looseness, other than the fact that the wheel will have slightly more play the further it is telescoped out.
And also recheck the upper lock housing bearing to make sure it is seated correctly and has the two pieces on top of it before the spring under the turn signal plate.
And also recheck the upper lock housing bearing to make sure it is seated correctly and has the two pieces on top of it before the spring under the turn signal plate.
Last edited by corvgreg; Sep 17, 2017 at 07:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
The tilt bowl screws were tightened down? Is there any play in the wheel with the telescoping all the way in? The telescoping shaft fit snugly in the upper yolk? I dont see what else would cause looseness, other than the fact that the wheel will have slightly more play the further it is telescoped out.
And also recheck the upper lock housing bearing to make sure it is seated correctly and has the two pieces on top of it before the spring under the turn signal plate.
And also recheck the upper lock housing bearing to make sure it is seated correctly and has the two pieces on top of it before the spring under the turn signal plate.
There is play with the telescoping all the way in. Not as much though.
The shaft fit tightly in the yoke.
I'll go further into the column this next time. Something just isn't right.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 291
Likes: 15
From: Virginia Beach VA
I'm sure you've checked this, but since it happened to me it's worth mentioning. After I rebuilt mine and had it mostly back in the car I was shocked by how much play was there... in my typical haste I was about to tear it all out when I decided to actually stop, walk away, and think about it... that's when I realized I hadn't finished reassembling the upper part of the column yet - without the star screw installed and the telescoping mechanism tightened down there is a lot of play... once you "lock" the tilt mechanism the play goes away. Hopefully your issue is as simple as that. If it's not, then you could go back to Mr. Shea's papers and use his troubleshooting method. Did you replace the plastic ball joint?
Last edited by A8skyhawk; Sep 18, 2017 at 08:13 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I'm sure you've checked this, but since it happened to me it's worth mentioning. After I rebuilt mine and had it mostly back in the car I was shocked by how much play was there... in my typical haste I was about to tear it all out when I decided to actually stop, walk away, and think about it... that's when I realized I hadn't finished reassembling the upper part of the column yet - without the star screw installed and the telescoping mechanism tightened down there is a lot of play... once you "lock" the tilt mechanism the play goes away. Hopefully your issue is as simple as that. If it's not, then you could go back to Mr. Shea's papers and use his troubleshooting method. Did you replace the plastic ball joint?
Yes. The star screw is installed.
No I didn't replace the plastic ball joint. It looked perfect.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I don't know if it's possible to install them wrong, Maybe they are left and right? Other than that, the teeth would have to be worn slick, or there's not enough spring under them to bite.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
The new bearings that in installed in the upper housing are falling apart.
I must not have got them installed correctly. I know that a race goes in a certain side of the bearing. So I don't understand how this happened.
I must not have got them installed correctly. I know that a race goes in a certain side of the bearing. So I don't understand how this happened.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Do you have a picture of these. I assume one is the race. The other?
Emerging Vendor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 114
From: San Diego CA
With the lock housing bearings, make sure the plastic sleeve that houses them is in the right way, the larger diameter section faces down and all the small ball bearings should be snug.
It's the piece in the lower left in the photo.
Last edited by corvgreg; Sep 19, 2017 at 02:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
'corvgreg' is SPOT ON...that part in his photo at the lower left is CRITICAL.
With that being said..here are some of my experiences in restoring/rebuilding steering columns.
Even though the pivot knuckle is secure and blue Loctite used...it can be bad. I recently repaired a 1993 Corvette column (which is just about the same) ...and what I found was the holes for the two pivot pins were wallowed out...thus...the pivot knuckle needed to be replaced along with the bearing housing.
On another column I have seen the teeth that hold the tilt feature were worn and having free-play on the pin or pins that are made into the pivot knuckle.
And on only two columns in my career...where the nut plate is locked into the main shaft tube of the column...so the pivot knuckle can be secured...I have seen the actual metal at the end of the mast tube tear and need to be repaired. That one I would not wish on anybody.
Also..make sure your lock ring for your steering wheel lock is correctly installed WITH the lower horn contact. These two parts can only be installed correctly one way. the raised inner collar on the steel lock ring must be facing you when installed...so the plastic horn lower contact sits flat against the backside of the lock ring.
DUB
With that being said..here are some of my experiences in restoring/rebuilding steering columns.
Even though the pivot knuckle is secure and blue Loctite used...it can be bad. I recently repaired a 1993 Corvette column (which is just about the same) ...and what I found was the holes for the two pivot pins were wallowed out...thus...the pivot knuckle needed to be replaced along with the bearing housing.
On another column I have seen the teeth that hold the tilt feature were worn and having free-play on the pin or pins that are made into the pivot knuckle.
And on only two columns in my career...where the nut plate is locked into the main shaft tube of the column...so the pivot knuckle can be secured...I have seen the actual metal at the end of the mast tube tear and need to be repaired. That one I would not wish on anybody.
Also..make sure your lock ring for your steering wheel lock is correctly installed WITH the lower horn contact. These two parts can only be installed correctly one way. the raised inner collar on the steel lock ring must be facing you when installed...so the plastic horn lower contact sits flat against the backside of the lock ring.
DUB
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I don't have the part in the lower left of the picture. My car is an '81. I know that GM did some changes during the years. I didn't have that part when I took the column apart. DUB says it's critical so I guess I better hunt one down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I've got a Pypes exhaust system that I need to get started on.
Just like all of my projects...
I try to get to all of them. Then I end up finishing none of them.
