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Steering column problems, bout ready to turn green

Joel Wilson

Joel Wilson

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Cannot find a good steering column diagram anywhere. Decided to finally replace ignition cylinder and turn signal cam. Ignition came out easy enough. New one went in but turns stiff. Everything behind that heavy duty ninja throwing star thing came out way too easy and it looks like I am missing a bearing or something. Steering wheel was loose to begin with so that might have been it. Nothing is going back together right and no matter what I do or sequence I use, that lock ring for the ninja star will not go down. Pictures of column and parts that came out.

IMG_20230916_153000856_HDR.jpg

IMG_20230916_153041587.jpg
 
There are some good videos on YouTube about disassembly and reassembly of these GM steering columns. It sounds like your steering shaft may have collapsed, and was not pulled all the way back into position. Now the U-joint in the steering shaft is binding.
 
Go to steeringcolumnservices.com website. They have exploded diagrams and parts. I have ordered from them before with good results.
 
Get the diagrams.... It's just a stack sequence... you need the press to get it together with the spring tension.

The hammer marks on the shaft are not your friend... You may have to file mushroomed end + put a die on threads
 
CT-BLAZER said:
Get the diagrams.... It's just a stack sequence... you need the press to get it together with the spring tension.

The hammer marks on the shaft are not your friend... You may have to file mushroomed end + put a die on threads
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Looked at the PDF and it made a lot more sense. And I got the tool so will take a shot at it tomorrow. The nut came off easy enough once it was loose. I will take a good look at it tomorrow. Not sure who was the last one in the column. I know I wasn't. Just on the dash side messing with the brake switch rod
 
Tried using the lock plate tool and still no joy and used the PDF as a guide. I can't even get the plate pushed down enough to start the lock ring. No sure if you can see it in the picture though. Something still isn't right.

IMG_20230917_184002975_HDR.jpg
 
The "toothed" cup washer looks like someone installed it improperly and it went onto the outside of the bearing race. It is supposed to fit just inside the larger diameter of the bearing race. Then the spring and the cancel cam.

You will want to install your turn signal lever before you install the lock plate.
 
6872xtc said:
The "toothed" cup washer looks like someone installed it improperly and it went onto the outside of the bearing race. It is supposed to fit just inside the larger diameter of the bearing race. Then the spring and the cancel cam.

You will want to install your turn signal lever before you install the lock plate.
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I noticed that and managed to get it back into shape so that it would fit back into the race, instead of on the outside. I think I will try and find a new cup washer. Maybe it was too damaged. Forgot about the lever before I tried. Maybe it was a good thing it didn't work.
 
Joel Wilson said:
I noticed that and managed to get it back into shape so that it would fit back into the race, instead of on the outside. I think I will try and find a new cup washer. Maybe it was too damaged. Forgot about the lever before I tried. Maybe it was a good thing it didn't work.
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Ok. I didn't notice that cup washer yesterday. I would think that you fixed it to where it shouldn't be a problem, but..

I have had the lock plate hang up a little when hitting the snap ring groove, but usually some wiggling the press tool and things will get it to go.
Not sure what would be the problem past what we already discussed.
 
6872xtc said:
Ok. I didn't notice that cup washer yesterday. I would think that you fixed it to where it shouldn't be a problem, but..

I have had the lock plate hang up a little when hitting the snap ring groove, but usually some wiggling the press tool and things will get it to go.
Not sure what would be the problem past what we already discussed.
Click to expand...
Can't find that cup washer anywhere and just looked at 5 different sites. LMC, Classic etc. I won't have time to do much until next weekend, unless the UAW strike gets worse. We are supposed to be full time production this week but it's all kind of a crapshoot
 
Steering columns, atleast around the 801, can be found relatively easy.
If I was you, having this much of an issue, I'd be in search another column.
After you work on a few of these, even the tilt columns, you just remember how shit goes back in there.
That being said, just get another column, and press on.
 
BoondocK5 said:
Steering columns, atleast around the 801, can be found relatively easy.
If I was you, having this much of an issue, I'd be in search another column.
After you work on a few of these, even the tilt columns, you just remember how shit goes back in there.
That being said, just get another column, and press on.
Click to expand...
Seriously considering it. I've had 3 full checks out of the past 6 weeks and not because I took time off, so funds have been tight. Finally got the old lady's jeep running so she's in a better mood at least. I'm going to keep at it until I find one. Not a lot of junk yards here in my area, most are 1.5 hrs away or more. But I'll keep looking.
 
I'm seriously looking at a white colored column out of a Cadillac, to use in Chloe. But, that's more wiring to figure out, but, it's a direct bolt up, but, the wiring is completely different.
 
BoondocK5 said:
@kennyw What do you want for a column? Shipping would probably kill the deal...
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Doesn't even have to be tilt. I don't use it anyways. Couple on Fleabay for 130 plus shipping but no key. Shipping looks to be 50 ish. So maybe 200-250 out the door? Just needs to be column shift. I should have funds avail on the first with my VA check
 
Joel Wilson said:
Doesn't even have to be tilt. I don't use it anyways. Couple on Fleabay for 130 plus shipping but no key. Shipping looks to be 50 ish. So maybe 200-250 out the door? Just needs to be column shift. I should have funds avail on the first with my VA check
Click to expand...
I know that frustration comes into it, but that seems like a good chunk of money if yours is so close to being fixed. But my perspective is due to working on them several times. I even fixed one in a '90 for a buddy that locked up and wouldn't release the key, in a parking lot once.

Hopefully you can find the problem with some further inspection.
 
Non-tilt usually $50 in good shape. Tilt, $150 in good shape. I currently do not have anything for 73-83 though. I have one extra 84-91 tilt column at the moment with a sloppy tilt that needs to be disassembled and tightened back up that I would sell for $80.

I would check with @Capt Ron in Colorado, he is closer.
 
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