I have around 0.5" steering column wobble left to right and about an inch up and down. It doesn't affect steering at all, but it's really irritating, what wears out in these/what should I replace to fix it?

 

I would jsut check to see if your bolts have started to come loose. I think they are a 15mm. I don't have pics but it is pretty easy to figure out if you stick your head under there and look up.

 

do you have a tilt steering column?

if so, you may have to rebuild the tilt knuckle. not an easy task. i ended up just swapping in a new column.

if your heep is lifted, don't use the steering wheel to pull yourself in the jeep, that's how these get damaged.

 

Good point I need to stop doing that I hate being short lol.

 

A common problem on GM tilt columns is the bolts/nuts inside the column at the tilt work loose. You have to pull the wheel and get down in there.. I will see if I can find a write up on it..

Edit:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html
http://buickperformance.com/tiltstee...lumnwobble.htm

 

tasty thanks Yeah, I have the tilt column, which now "tilts" to the right and left as well as whole bunch up and down. I think I'm definitely going to buy that $7.95 tool they mention, sounds like it makes things a bunch easier. Is there anything that can actually "wear out" if my bolts haven't just come loose?

 

In my father-in-laws Chevy/GMC van with tilt there is a bearing in there that wore out and it not serviceable.. that was causing the flop. I didnt look in there so I cant vouch for it, but he tried to tighten up the bolts and that only helped marginally.

 

finally got around to it, since it became the "squeakiest wheel" and motivated me basically through continual irritation. The 2 bolts I could access after ripping everything apart were indeed the problem which was great.

Now I'm trying to figure out how the dimmer actuator goes back together...when I pull the turn signal stalk it will flash the brights, but not change from bright to dim

 

ha, I figured it out, basically I just screwed around until it all eventually fit

 

Say it ain't so Joe.

Prerunners first link > http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html seems to be the real pay dirt. It looks like it's a 1/2 day job to reach two of 4 loose bolts. Anyone been there with any advice?

 

This antique advice?

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=27192

 

When doing this put some lock tight or silicone on each bolt stops future issues.

 

Thanks guys, great link there Cruiser. I wonder if I really need "Lock plate remover/installer. & Pivit pin remover"

 

Lock plate remover, yes.

 

http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools...er/112102_0_0/

Maybe they will let me borrow it free.

Btw CF, it was mentioned that when it's loose, a bolt could work out and bind the steering.