Steering Column Repair: 1991 GMC tilt steering column, pivot pins, tilt steering

Question
1991 GMC tilt steering column loose tilt up down side to side, replaced support and the 4 screws,
wave washer, plate lock, thrush washer, retainer.
When we put all together the housing to the wheel
still will move up and down and side to side a great deal.
We don't know what else to do can you help?
Thanks
Jerry


Answer
Hello Jerry,
If the wheel still has movement coming from the tilt area, my bet would be there is a broken tab(s)end in the column tube. You say replaced support, and I am not sure which end of the support or if we're thinking the same support. I am assuming you mean the bowl end.

If you've tightened the four bolts that hold the lower bowl to the column tube, but it still wobbles, then you'll need to disassemble it completely to access the tube end.  Sometimes one ear will break and you'll have some movement, but it becomes more profound if it's beyond that. I've seen many of these column tubes break completely. It's very time consuming to repair a column and, to find a new column tube.

Weigh your options, finding a used tube at a salvage yard- you would probably have to get the whole column. I have been able to weld the tube end ears, but it depends largely on how long it had been that way.

Removing the complete column is fairly simple and is the easiest way to disassemble it once you've gotten it apart past removing the pivot pins.

Hope that helps.
Have a great Memorial Weekend!
-Jay