VETTLIFE

Simple method to fix loose GM steering wheels that go down and to the left. This is very common on our cars. This methods avoids having to remove and tear down the entire steering column.

Video illustrating the problem:



Purchase an oversized tilt pin from one of these following vendors prior to installing the retaining screw.
http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/GM/Pins/
http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...lumn%20pin.htm
http://www.steeringcolumnservices.co...pivot-pins.php

Hot Rod Roy

I had the same wiggle problem in my '84, but my pivot pins were still a press fit in my column. I had to invent a tool to pull my pins because they were so tight. So there's no guarantee the worn pivot pins will be the only problem. The wiggle I see in this video in the housing below the pivot pins tells me the four E8 Torx head mounting screws at the base of the tilt mechanism are also loose.

PatternDayTrader

Even if the torx bolts were not loose on the car in question. A guy would be out of his mind if he tears everything down to the tilt bowl and did not tighten the torx bolts. Maybe even pull them out one at a time and add a little blue Loctite.

rblakeney

Thanks, Vettlife!

Did you have to do both sides?

What if you simply put in the retaining screw -- do you think it would stop the movement?

Komiller118

pologreen1

Any one tried the liquid metal stuff yet?

I could see try fill in with that and then put the pin back in. I'm not sure of the difference in metal properties either though.

VETTLIFE

My fix method listed above is for loose steering wheels that move diagonally down to the left. This is the most common issue with loose wheels. It's fairly easy to remove the left cover on the column to confirm the pivot pin is indeed the problem.

Sometimes in rare cases the right side can be loose as well and a second pin can be installed however it's much more difficult replacing the right side as there's no access cover on that side. I've heard it's possible to simply unbolt the column from the dash so the wheel rests on the seat and drill a hole in the right side of the column to access the right pin. The hole can be covered afterwards with a cover or plastic hole plug. If your not comfortable altering your column permanently then your going to have to break the whole column down to service it.

In extreme situations where the steering wheel moves in multiple directions and the pivot pins verify not to be the problem you likely have loose main torx bolts at the base which have loosened over time. This is very rare and mainly only effects certain years.

dizwiz24

juni78

I had same problem with the loose steering wheel and this method works perfectly. Thanks alot for it. By my opinion there is no need to put there the screw in every case. However I have few more tips for newbies like me (not mentioned above) to make it fast and smooth.

I have ordered the new pin from http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/GM/Pins/ The pin is perfect and Jason sent it very quickly. Price is good and you can order one pice (not only pair).

1) To get the pin out from the column is necessary a pivot pin removal tool. It is something like this -
My steering wheel was almost freely moving up and down to the left, however the pin holded very tightly.

2) If you are a penny pincher (like me), this video worked perfectly for me to get it out without the removal tool -


3) The new pin input needed around 10 minutes of hammering. There is no space between the column and dashboard and I used mid size hammer. It looked like the pin never go in, but finally it went inside after one good hit. Dont worry to hammer hard.

4) Before the column dissassembly check the high beam switcher under the lever. It went apart after one hammer hit to the column and the assembly took me additional 30 minutes.

Next time it will take me up to 30 minutes (instead of 2 hours). However again big thanks to VETTLIFE for the great guideline!!