Steering Column Repair: Tilt Wheel, car steering wheel, ralph cramden

Question
Hi Doug, I have a 2002 Buick Century. I gently forwarded the steering wheel, as I usually do, to exit my car. Made a quick purchase, returned to my car...Steering wheel will not go back into place. The left lever does jiggle a little, but the wheel will not move. I had to go on a trip as though I was Ralph Cramden. tehe Would not like to drive a bus. Please help !! Thanking you in advance should you be able to rectify my problem.

Answer
Hello Diane (or should I say Ralph):

This is fairly common.  Basically, the tilt mechanism has gone past the point it should have.  In order for it to come back down, it needs to go further back up to release the lever and then it will come down. You need to over-extend the column and force it even higher to release the jammed til lever.  Push up HARD while pulling gently on the tilt lever (you won;t break anything). Once the tilt lever moves further, the wheel should come back down.  That should do it.