Loose steering wheel

MOBILEAUTO MECHANIC

MEMBER
1986 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
100,000 MILES

My steering wheel moves all around. I read it's the tilt wheel issue and drop tighten 4 bolts, so I took it apart tightened the put it together didn't fix it. Is it dangerous to drive like it is?

Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 8:08 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

Is the play in the tilt assembly? Also, I need to know which bolts you tightened.

There are two pins in the column that are called pivot pins. They require a special tool for removal. Over time, they can cause the housing they are in to become oval-shaped or damaged. By chance were they replaced or inspected?

Also, the four bolts that you tightened, were they under the turn signal switch, require the removal of the ignition key tumbler, and basically the removal of the pivot pins?

Let me know.

Joe

I attached a pic below of the pivot pins I mentioned and the tool for removal.

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Saturday, February 19th, 2022 AT 9:14 PM

MOBILEAUTO MECHANIC

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, I know about the pivot pins. I removed them they're fine. The four bolts I tightened are the ones that have the E torx heads.

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Sunday, February 20th, 2022 AT 1:17 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

If you have those tight and the pivot pins are good as well as the mounts, where is the looseness? Is it the entire steering column or a specific part of it such as the tilt, wheel, or something other?

Let me know where you are seeing it move.

Joe

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Sunday, February 20th, 2022 AT 6:47 PM