Tilt steering column not working

2009 BUICK LUCERNE
70,000 MILES • 3.9L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DBIEBER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The tilt column lever does nothing when moved to adjust the tilt. what happened?
May 11, 2021 at 7:54 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

Does it move at all? I ask because it could be a few things. Also, did it happen all at once?

There are a few things in the steering column that could have failed. There are screws called pivot pins that may be corroded or stuck. There is a spring that may be weak or broken, and a few other things.

If you look at pic 1 below, it is the diagnostics for identifying an inoperative tilt wheel. In pic 2, I highlighted the components aforementioned.

Here is what each highlighted component is:

#20 Tilt lever
#26 Pivot pin
#37 Column tilt spring
#38 Column tilt guide

__________________________

I am basing this on manual tilt. If your vehicle is controlled by electric actuators, let me know.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
May 11, 2021 at 8:41 PM
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