Steering Wheel Looseness

[rlampkinsjr]

I own a 88 GTA with 92,000 miles. For the last 5000 miles I have notice that the steering wheel is loose only at the tilt end of the column. I had the same condition occur in my previous 83 T/A, in which I cured the problem by replacing the entire steering column. But that car was a T/A, this is an original GTA, and I want to keep this car as original as possible. Any one had any experience with removing and repairing the tilt wheel end of the steering column ?? Any pearls of wisdom would be greatly appreciated !!!!

Robert Lampkins

[Brent87LT1]

Typical problem, no biggie. I belive this has been gone through before on the boards. There are 4 loose bolts located halfway down the column. They require a special socket to tighten properly. You can make a regular socket work as long as you use loctite when you do the job. There will be a couple of special tools that are mandatory. Steering wheel puller (borrow one from Auto Zone) and a tilt column removal kit (basically just consists of a special pin puller to remove the pivot pin that the column tilts on). I know Snap-On has these you may have luck somewhere else. Some people may have done the job without this tool but I don't see how.

Remove steering wheel and column swithches as necessary dissasembling the column until you get to the pivot joint, remove the pin and the front half of the column will remove completely at the joint. Behind this you will see the four strange headed bolts that WILL be loose. Use some type of thread locker so you don't have to do this again soon. reverse procedure and you'll be G to G.

It's been a few years since I did mine so I don't remember all the minor details. BE CAREFUL! There are a lot of small parts involved that require excact placement in order to function properly.

[rlampkinsjr]

Brent, thank you for the information. I believe I can follow these instructions and correct this problem.

From one GTA owner to another...THANKS !!!!!

rlampkinsjr

[FrankieRider2]

As Brent stated, a common problem on our cars.... but easily remedied. He pretty well covered the procedure.

Brent, thanks for sharing this tip with all us other owners! Guys like you really help out the rest of us.