Steering Column Repair: steering wheel, turn signal switch, torx bolts

Question
I am a 10 year cert harley mechanic... I read about your advise on the loose column problem. My 92 gmc 2500 manual trans has the same problem. I would greatly thank you for a diagram and instructions for removing and repairing the mechanisim.
Steve

Answer

loose tilt bolts Hi Steven:

This is very common on older GM vehicles.  If it happened suddenly, then there is a possibility that the steering column tube has cracked or broken.  If that's the case, you will need to find a replacement one...it cannot be fixed.  If it has happened gradually and then finally gotten too bad to drive, here's what needs to happen:

In order to repair it, the column need to be disassembled down to the lower bowl.  That means everything has to come off; the horn cap, the steering wheel,(special puller needed) the lock plate,(another special puller needed) the turn signal switch, the lock cylinder, the upper lock cover, (with the wiper switch still mounted inside) the tilt housing spring, the tilt housing pins (a third special puller needed), the tilt housing with bearings and the ignition rack gear...and then you can get to the 4 inverted torx bolts that hold the 'stand' to the column tube.  These are the bolts that come loose or come out completely and need to be reinserted and tightened.
Once you have accomplished that, you can go ahead and reassemble everything you just took off.
It's a big job and if you've never been inside a column like this, I wouldn't start with this job.  The hardest part is aligning the rack gear when you are reinstalling the tilt housing.  all of the gears need to align correctly to give you the proper ignition positions and the steering wheel locking mechanism.  It's just about a full overhaul.  Our company charges $175 to repair this and it takes out trained techs about 1-1.5 hours (it gets easier after you've done 200-300).  If you decide you want us to do it for you, you can UPS the column to us & we will rebuild it for you.  contact us through our website listed in my profile if you decide you want to pursue that.
I'll enclose an exploded diagram if you think it will help.  You are after the bolts I pointed to with the red arrow.
Good luck