QuestionQUESTION: I bought an 86 De Ville and the steering column is loose in the dash area. What kind of keeper is used to secure the column to the dash
ANSWER: Hello,
No, there is no kind of a keeper unless some goof did not put the column together right and the steering wheel can pull out of the column completely.
You have 4 loose bolts way down inside the steering column that need to be tightened. Very, very, very common from using the steering column to get in and out of the vehicle.
Rebuilding these coulmns should never be done by the novice. After all, you are talking steering here.
There are special tools and specialized knownledge especially on a tilt and telescopic.
I rebuild these columns and you can contact me by going to my site http//www.autotheftexpert.com
If you put a junk yard column in, you will find the same problem.
I guaranty my work, but it is not a cheap fix. The book pays 5.0 hrs to do one. You also would be required to remove the steering column on my instructions and send it to me, which is shipping back and forth.
If you drive it too long the way it is, you will cause damage and eventually the column will split in half with the ignition facing the floor and then it is too late to do anything. Once loose, they get even more loose very quickly.
Rob
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: You are talking about the column moving in and out. This column moves up and down 6 o'clock to 12 o'clock about 3 to 4 inches. There has to be or at least had been a support for the column. Thanks
AnswerHello,
I know exactly what you are talking about. This is very common in the Saginaw steering column.
There are 4 bolts at the inside bottom of the steering column which requires total disassembly.
I have been stuck with these too many times when a guy thought he was handy and took the column apart, totally screwing up everything. In this event, I charge $100.00 extra. Hammers instead of steering wheel pullers are used ruining the upper shaft. Parts are put in upside down or missing. On your tilt and telescopic, many don't know the secrets of installing the lock plate and the steering wheel will in fact seperate from the rest of the column.
You can get to two of the inverted torx bolts and tighten the column without total disassembly, but that repair will only lasts days.
Nothing like the feeling of putting the steering column back together and having little ball bearings from the steering column fall on the floor.
I don't care how good the mechanic is working on one of these columns, it turns into a disaster every time because this is a specialized job. T&Ts are even more difficult like you have.
As I stated before as well, the looseness is caused by only one thing. Grabbing on to the steering wheel to get in and out of the car. The bigger the person is, the more quickly it loosens.
If you are interested in sending the column to me my contact info is at http://www.autotheftexpert.com.
I will give you explicit instructions for removal and installation. I charge $175.00 for tightening a column, plus shipping, plus parts. I do guaranty it won't come loose again, however the steering wheel cannot be used as a lever to get in and out of the car.
In over 20 years of doing this, I have never had a comeback. I have repaired thousands of these columns from looseness and theft.
Rob
