Steering Column Wobble...fixable???
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Bethalto IL
Steering Column Wobble...fixable???
My 73 Vette has tilt and telescoping wheel...if you grab the wheel you can wiggle it around more than I think you should be able to...any ideas on what to look for??? Thanks :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
Me too.
I hope it is an adjustment where the tilt portion of the wheel is. Bad news is I think we have to take the top of the column apart to get to that to tighten it.
I think it can be done with the column installed.
I hope it is an adjustment where the tilt portion of the wheel is. Bad news is I think we have to take the top of the column apart to get to that to tighten it.
I think it can be done with the column installed.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (fjetb)
My tilt had about 1" wobble up & down. I pulled the column and sent it to Steering Columns Galore and they fixed it for about $100.
Many folks have repaired their own. I don't do columns & transmission. They scare me.
Many folks have repaired their own. I don't do columns & transmission. They scare me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
Get it fix right away. Had the same thing happen in my blazer. Ended up only holding the steering wheel one day backing out the driveway. Luckly I didn't hit anything. :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
It's been a while since I've done an old saginaw style column, but If I remember right there are three bolts that hold it secure about halfway down. I believe that most of the column had to be dismantled in order to get to these bolts however. By the way did you get the message I called last weekend, they said you were at a car club meeting.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Athol NY
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
Member Jim Shea, turned me onto corvettefaq.com. He wrote a number of papers on steering. It helped me a lot. My T/T column was acting up too! AWESOME web site! Good Luck!! :party:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
Very interesting....I have the same issue..... :cheers:
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Augusta GA
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (zog73)
Good instructions on corvetteforum.com .Did mine in 2 hours.Borrowed the special tools from Autozone.Chevrolet parts department printed a copy of the steering column parts pictorial.72 parts in there and most of them have to come off so lay them out in the order of removal.Four bolts that come loose.
Do not remove all of the bolts at the same time . If you do the retainer will drop and your day is done.First hand tighten the bolts to maintain alignment.Then remove one bolt at a time and use Loctite on the threads and replace the bolt and tighten.Then do the remaining three bolts.
Do not remove all of the bolts at the same time . If you do the retainer will drop and your day is done.First hand tighten the bolts to maintain alignment.Then remove one bolt at a time and use Loctite on the threads and replace the bolt and tighten.Then do the remaining three bolts.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (bs82vette)
Good instructions on corvetteforum.com .Did mine in 2 hours.Borrowed the special tools from Autozone.Chevrolet parts department printed a copy of the steering column parts pictorial.72 parts in there and most of them have to come off so lay them out in the order of removal.Four bolts that come loose.
Do not remove all of the bolts at the same time . If you do the retainer will drop and your day is done.First hand tighten the bolts to maintain alignment.Then remove one bolt at a time and use Loctite on the threads and replace the bolt and tighten.Then do the remaining three bolts.
Do not remove all of the bolts at the same time . If you do the retainer will drop and your day is done.First hand tighten the bolts to maintain alignment.Then remove one bolt at a time and use Loctite on the threads and replace the bolt and tighten.Then do the remaining three bolts.
i believe this happens from people using the wheel to help lift themselves exiting the car over the years...if you dont use loctite it will just loosen up again... :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Murphy Texas
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (SIGNGUY)
Mine was doing the same thing. I decided to give it a try and began to take it apart. Wasn't too hard and I was laying it all out in order, until I found out that everything was tight and that someone else had obviously taken it apart before and some parts were missing. :mad
In addition, the upper bearing was broken and the little ***** were everywhere! Rather than trying to figure it all out, I just bought a used complete column to bolt in. Replacing the entire column was easier and now I have an extra column for parts or to sell.
In addition, the upper bearing was broken and the little ***** were everywhere! Rather than trying to figure it all out, I just bought a used complete column to bolt in. Replacing the entire column was easier and now I have an extra column for parts or to sell.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA.
Re: Steering Column Wobble...fixable??? (USA SHARK)
Mine did the same thing. I took it apart and tightened the screws that hold the tilt/tele section to the column. I still had a bit of a wobble after that. I found out it is wobbleing at the pivot point for the tilt. I think the pivot point holes are a bit out of round. You might check that if all you nuts and bolts are tight.
Hope this helps, Steve.
Hope this helps, Steve.
