Steering Column

[89FerrariShelby]

Ok guys, i need help and/or input. Spring is rolling around, and i'm giving this damn car 1 more year to actually make it to the road for an extended period of time before I give up and wash my hands of TD's forever. There's a nice SVT mustang for sale, and I have a hunch it'd be a lot easier to keep on the road. But i'm not ready to give up yet.

On to the point:

My steering column has developed what i've been lead to understand is a common issue of play from side to side (it is a tilt steering column).

I tried bringing it to the dealership, and they told me they can't do anything about it, and since they didn't know what was wrong, they weren't sure if they could ever find parts, and didn't want to do it. So i took it home, and its sat in the garage ever since, because i'm scared to drive it and have the airbag explode in my face (plus turning is an adventure).

As a not so tech savvy (i managed to change my timing belt, so i can do stuff, but i wouldn't call myself a mechanic by any means) person, is this something i can fix myself? I also have a Shelby steering wheel i was hoping to put on in the process, but priority #1 is getting the column fixed.

If its not something i can do myself, does anyone know of any resources in the New England Area who might be able to help me. I've met some of the guys in the local chapter, but i haven't reached out to them yet. I'd hate to bother them if its something fairly simple.

Any help/input/advice is greatly appreciated.

[cordes]

There are a few Torx screws in there which are probably loose. I'll try and find a site detailing how to repair it and post back up in a minute. It should be easy since we use Saginaw columns.

---------- Post added at 04:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:16 PM ----------

These links make it look a lot worse than it is. If you can do this installing the wheel will be easy. Although you will lose your airbag obviously.

http://www.buickperformance.com/tilt...lumnwobble.htm

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020.html

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Steering-...el-bearing.htm

[x.Gen]

There are a few Torx screws in there which are probably loose...
These links make it look a lot worse than it is.

+1.
as long as you borrow/rent/buy the lock plate tool (which saves a LOT of time and aggravation), not hard at all...did this maybe a year or two ago. like brand new when your done.

[89FerrariShelby]

awesome guys, thanks so much cordes.

anyone know where i can buy the lock plate tool? they readily available at an auto parts store?

[x.Gen]

most parts stores carry the lock plate tool, for about $20. loaners available at Auto Zone (one of the few things that place is good for).

[supercrackerbox]

I've been deep into a couple columns. Best advice I can give you: Take the whole column out of the car, and have a nice clean work bench (or in one instance I used my kitchen counter). Work slowly, lay all the parts out in the order you remove them, and take notes or even pictures of where everything goes, so you can put it back the same way. I seem to remember the potmetal half-gear piece for the ignition lock being one of the trickiest parts to get back in right.

[cordes]

I've been deep into a couple columns. Best advice I can give you: Take the whole column out of the car, and have a nice clean work bench (or in one instance I used my kitchen counter). Work slowly, lay all the parts out in the order you remove them, and take notes or even pictures of where everything goes, so you can put it back the same way. I seem to remember the potmetal half-gear piece for the ignition lock being one of the trickiest parts to get back in right.

That's good advice. I brought my column inside when I swapped the Izumi wheel into the Daytona this last summer.

[black86glhs]

I can tear them down to the bowl in 30 min. Get a manual that shows how it goes together is case you forget or get pulled away from it. Getting the lock ring out of the groove can be tricky. Just take your time and it will eventually come out of the groove. I like to put loctite on the bolts. It helps keep them from doing it again real soon.

[89FerrariShelby]

is the column easy to get out of the car completely together? I have the perfect workbench/space for pulling it apart and keeping it in order, but want to be sure its an easy removal/replacement if i try to do the whole column completely together.


I have the FSM's for the year...will those be good enough, or can anyone recommend a book other than the FSM or manuals cordes posted?

thanks guys, appreciate the help, just trying to avoid starting to pull it apart then ending up screwed w/ a car that cant move thanks to no steering capability....

[black86glhs]

The FSM is perfect!!!

[supercrackerbox]

is the column easy to get out of the car completely together? I have the perfect workbench/space for pulling it apart and keeping it in order, but want to be sure its an easy removal/replacement if i try to do the whole column completely together.

Piece of cake. Remove the lower dash panel under the column. Disconnect the half dozen or so wiring connectors for the wiring coming out of the black plastic sleeve along the bottom of the column. Remove the four nuts holding the column up, two on each side. They are black flange nuts, 10mm head, with large beveled washers behind them. Disconnect the wiring to the ignition switch on the top of the column. Grab the wheel and tug until the end slides out of the coupler to the steering rack. Installation is reverse of removal.

[89FerrariShelby]

sweet, thanks guys.

leaving for brazil on wednesday, so i think i'm going to start this project when i get back, but i appreciate all the input and will definitely let you guys know how it goes!

[cordes]

sweet, thanks guys.

leaving for brazil on wednesday, so i think i'm going to start this project when i get back, but i appreciate all the input and will definitely let you guys know how it goes!

Take a lot of pics and post them in the lounge. Have a good trip.

[89FerrariShelby]

Steering Column - 1
Me - 0

Finally got around to trying this last night. Got under the dash and couldn't find a place where there were 4 bolts and it looked like it would come out.

Resolved myself to fixing it in the car...interior is removed so i can lay it out on the passenger side as i take it apart.

Opened the FSM, couldn't find what the hell it was telling me to remove, no diagrams for the first step or two. Diagrams have the wheel removed though none of the instructions detail any steps for getting it off!

So did some reading up...i think i have an idea of what to do now, but should be interesting...i have a sneaking suspicion i'm going to be having this car junked in a couple of weeks because i cant get the steering column back together....

Wish me luck... =), I will let you know tomorrow what disaster befalls me tonight =P

[x.Gen]

i have a sneaking suspicion i'm going to be having this car junked in a couple of weeks because i cant get the steering column back together....

chill on that idea. after you've done it you'll realize it is complex but just needs focus. do this when you are NOT stressed or rushed. take your time and it makes sense, the few links posted previously were what I used when I did it with no FSM.

I don't recommend complete disassembly if you don't have to - the tilt wobble repair doesn't really require it, and you have that much less to contend with going back together. if I remember, when you aren't completely disassembling, the torx nuts that need tightening aren't readily accessible. you have to work the tilt portion out of the way (up and down but you don't have to remove) to get at them. PITA, but do-able (extension and universal-joint). the most complex part is the turn signal assembly (and that lock cylinder spring), but mostly on re-assembly.

I was able to do this repair simply dropping the knee roll and column bracket to have the movement I needed to get at everything. couple years now and still holding tight. you can see the torx nuts that come loose in the pictures below from the buick performance page.

[89FerrariShelby]

I guess...it didn't start off well when i didn't have the 1/2 in (i'm guessing) deep socket to get at the screws on the back of the airbag. So i couldn't even get the steering wheel off.

I did some reading and think i figured out the FSM...but i'm going to print out the links from earlier and read through them closer to see if i can figure out a better way.

Just laying in the car and nothing was coming out, got me frustrated...going to try again tonight....i'm just not that mechanically saavy...it sucks when you own a type of car that needs so much mechanical work. =(.

[89FerrariShelby]

lol, this picture is called...."WTF do i do now...."

It's late, and i'm tired and in no condition to continue....i'll break the FSM out and try again tomorrow...just found this pic funny, thought i'd share...

[cordes]

You need to use a steering wheel puller to get the wheel off. Then you'll need to use the lock plate remover on the floorboard there to get the lock off. Follow the instructions in the FSM from there and you'll be all set.

As a side note, you should try to find a shelby wheel for that car.

[89FerrariShelby]

You need to use a steering wheel puller to get the wheel off. Then you'll need to use the lock plate remover on the floorboard there to get the lock off. Follow the instructions in the FSM from there and you'll be all set.

As a side note, you should try to find a shelby wheel for that car.

Oh man...I was sitting there trying the lock plate tool at this point since before that i honestly thought it would just yank off....i'll have to find myself a steering wheel puller now =)

I got one a year or so back, that's part 2 of this job...i'm just hoping i can get it apart, then have a prayer of getting it back together....

Thanks Cordes! I feel like this car should be half yours at this point...lol

[RoadWarrior222]

This set worked for me...
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/AutoTools/PullerTools/PRD~0253608P/Powerbuilt%2525AE%252BHarmonic%252BBalancer%252BPu ller.jsp?locale=en

and those powerbuilt tool sets are often rented. NAPA has them up here, I would imagine Autozone might carry them, not sure though, don't have any round here.

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------

quick guide to usage, you put the center screw and two bolts through the main puller yoke deally, and thread the bolts into the tapped holes either side of the shaft on the wheel, get the center screw with it's point riding in the center divot on the shaft, and crank it down to force the wheel off...

Oh, yah, scribe across the wheel and shaft so it's easy to line up again.

The manuals say "reassembly is the reverse of removal" but I never figured out how the hell the puller is meant to work in reverse, so you'll just have to pound it back with a soft mallet (Or BFH and chunk of 2x4)