How to fix loose gm steering column

[bucket]

Interesting. See how your's has that space between on those splines? Mine isn't like that, it's consistently spaced all the way around. Wonder if I got a reject.

Is yours non-tilt? I know the plates are different between the two.

 

[SlickGTP]

That's a good question... I'll look at my non-tilt column when I make the switch to the tilt I'm working on now. Might be awhile though... In the meantime though I'll take pics of the tilt I'm working on now and get those up. It's an earlier model than what 89s was working on, so there are slight differences.

 

[hinkv10]

At this point it is very easy to remove the shifter spring. I think mine was the wrong one, for a non tilt column as it was too short. It didn't appear to have broken. I tried to remove it after taking the shift lever off but it was jammed in there and I couldn't fish it out. By tearing the column down I was able to use pliers to pop it out and install the new one. It was very easy at this point because you could line up the spring with the shift lever and pop the pin back in. My guess is that it would be a serious pita to do it without tearing it apart.

You have to re-thread the tilt lever back in place, and tilt and pull assembly down all the way to disengage the teeth, then she opens up like a prom date in heat....

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[89Suburban]

At this point it is very easy to remove the shifter spring. I think mine was the wrong one, for a non tilt column as it was too short. It didn't appear to have broken. I tried to remove it after taking the shift lever off but it was jammed in there and I couldn't fish it out. By tearing the column down I was able to use pliers to pop it out and install the new one. It was very easy at this point because you could line up the spring with the shift lever and pop the pin back in. My guess is that it would be a serious pita to do it without tearing it apart.

Damn dude, thanks for pointing that out, I never noticed the spring until you said that and I looked at that pic a little harder.

 

[foamypirate]

Is yours non-tilt? I know the plates are different between the two.

It's a tilt column.

 

[83swb]

The tilt column in my new cab is VERY loose. It not only moves side to side, but it doesn't fully lock when adjusted so it has alot of play up and down too. The truck was in a front end collision so could my column actually be broken or is this also a symptom of these loose bolts in the column?

 

[RetroC10Sport]

The tilt column in my new cab is VERY loose. It not only moves side to side, but it doesn't fully lock when adjusted so it has alot of play up and down too. The truck was in a front end collision so could my column actually be broken or is this also a symptom of these loose bolts in the column?

Loose bolts.

 

[83swb]

Thanks

 

[HotRodPC]

Yep, somewhat of a common problem. I need to do this to my 85 K1500 too. I've put it off waiting to get out to my dads, where I have a 4 spoke wheel I intend to install on reassembly. I'd also recommend using LocTite Blue Hand Tool locktight to keep this from happening again.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Spring installed with set screw.

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Full lock, key in accy.

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Key in wheel unlock.

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Unlocked, key in START.

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[RetroC10Sport]

And of the 3 screws holding the switch to the column, the upper right one is special to that spot, a pan head, and the other two are the same, keep reference...

One of the 3 Phillips head screws holding the turn signal switch assembly to the column is connected to a small piece that connects to the turn signal lever, remove and reference it's location....

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Someone put that on wrong, the pan head goes on the "directional switch arm" so someone had it apart before and didn't put it together right.

 

[89Suburban]

Someone put that on wrong, the pan head goes on the "directional switch arm" so someone had it apart before and didn't put it together right.

That must have been me, I had it apart before, LMAO!

I'll check it today. I still have to install the cancel springs. Just too damn cold and windy yesterday to be outside. Thanks for the heads up.


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[LedZeppelinXV]

what about the issue of the key getting hard to turn in the start position? in my shitbox 85 the switch feels normal 95% of of the turn and then just as it is about to crank the engine, it gets a lot of resistance. i think the exact same thing started to happen to my uncle's 77 before i destroyed the switch with channel locks; i put a push button in that one.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

 

[89Suburban]