My steering column wobbles badly. What does this mean and how can I fix it?

Question

I have an 85 Trans Am, and my steering column wiggles a lot. It actually got so bad i pulled my ignition out on accident. now it won't even turn over. i can move it around in circles. Do I just need to buy a new steering column? If so do you know where i can get a cheap but good one?

Answer 1

Let me guess, you have a tilt column on this TA right? this is a all too common problem with the 80's and 90's GM's with tilt steering. depending on how much damage has been done, it may be cheaper to get a replacement column. However some of the tools needed for this repair can be expensive. I would take it to a dealer and have them repair it. if it just needs the bolts tightened it should not be more then about 80 or 90 bucks to have this done. If they have to replace some of the parts it may be more. I wouldn't expect that it would run more then 200 all together. It takes my techs about 30 minutes to get in and out of these columns. We also put lock tight on the bolts so this does not happen again.

Answer 2

This might be among the many issues in that distinctive men and women with distinctive ability stages describe steerage issues another way A unfastened column could honestly be the complete housing that the steerage wheel is installed on. Normally there are two to three bolts slightly under the sprint board that you'll be able to tighten up with a sensible boxed finish wrench and it could now not fee you some thing. On the opposite hand, if the vendor is mis-describing the concern and the precise concern is a looseness within the steerage field then it's going to fee you a brand new steerage field and the exertions to put in it. I could take this automobile to an unbiased mechanic for them to appear at. This concern will also be identified approximately 30 seconds and more commonly won't fee you some thing for them to appear at it. My buddy, you be very cautious purchasing used automobiles. Many used automobiles are on the market seeing that they've a concern simply establishing to rear it`s unpleasant head and the landlord needs to sell off it earlier than it occurs. In plenty of circumstances the landlord will down play those matters as little issues and on the time they're. But what the dealers don't inform you, that their mechanic informed them is that the now little concern goes to change into a predominant concern and it's going to be highly-priced. Think approximately it. Good good fortune my buddy.

Answer 3

remove any plastic trim panels from under steering columm, and get down there and move steering columm back and forth, is it tilt steering,some gm columns have pins that allow it to tilt similer to the way we bend our knees , they are located on the sides of column and are small in size, if you remove some trim from column, they might be hanging around on the inside or on the floor or stuck half way out of their holes they look like . did column come loose from it mounted location? it might be repairable, be careful with your ignition as it might stick your starter to the fly wheel and even start your engine on accident , to be safe, remove a battery cable for your column inspection ,take your time and study the steering column movement. and if you have no luck and should need a column any way, cross referencing with another gm column might help from a junk yard. local or online

Answer 4

it sounds like either the bushing is worn down or the bracket has fallen off the firewall. check these two items where the steering linkage enters the firewall before you buy a new column because it may be a matter of tightening a couple bolts or a ten dollar bushing.