QuestionI have a 94 suburban with tilt steering. The truck has 219000 miles with various rattles. I only care about the very annoying rattle coming from the steering column. Seems to be coming from rod to ignition switch. Ive had the steering column apart up to the pivot pins. I dont have this tool. Is there a common part that goes bad on the ignition switch mechanism that might be bad? I know this sounds trivial, but Im sure its something simple...
AnswerThe sector and cam gear for the ignition switch do wear in time. The rattle may be coming from the point where the sector and rod make contact. That point would be close to the tilt pivot.
If the noise is further down the column, it's possible that the rod itself has excessive movement. If it's the rod, use a small piece of weatherstrip stuck to the column to stop the rattle or find out which part has failed (check the switch mounted on top of the column that the rod inserts into from the bottom).
If the sector is worn, you can get a new sector, cam gear and spring for relatively reasonable.
Picture of sector, cam and spring:
http://elcaminocentral.com/articles/elkysteering/loose_stcolumn/DCP_0775.JPG
The pivot pin tool is fairly easy to make, I've made one with a small hardened machine bolt, nut, and large washer. Find a larger nut with a hole big enough to allow the pivot pin to be drawn into. Center the larger nut around the pivot pin, screw the machine bolt with nut and washer into the pin. Continue holding the larger nut and tighten the small nut on the machine screw. Keep tightening the machine bolt nut until the pin is out. Just don't break the hardened machine bolt off in the pivot pin or you'll have to work extra hard to get it out.
If you have further questions please do not hesitate to write again.
Please feel free to leave me comments and feedback.
Have a great day,
-Jay
