Column Problem - Cutlass Ciera

[Duke]

Hi all,

I changed the lock of starting up but now I cannot go back up any more what I defused. I do not understand why. The column moves everywhere.

Look this video please:
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=fhCzdL4ll-0

[SCREECH]

Hi Duke. That movement that you're seeing is simply because of how much you've disassembled the column - it's normal. The columns with tilt have a bearing on that section of the shaft that holds the shaft when it's pressed down in place. When you reassemble the shaft, first you need to pull out on the shaft and push the bearing down in place so the shaft is held in place and doesn't move from side to side. The spring that goes underneath the lock plate presses down on this bearing and will keep it in place once you've got it reassembled. Let us know if you have any further trouble with it.

[SCREECH]

I should add that, if you don't have a tool to compress the lock plate (which you most likely do since you got the plate off) then you should get one as it makes reassembling the column MUCH easier. Without that tool, c'est TRES difficile! :) The lock plate is the plate with all of the fingers on the outside edges which engage the lock pin to lock the steering wheel in place when the key is out.

[Duke]

I have this tool. I had to order precisely for that.

I think I have a problem with a bearing in the column. I can remove the walls inside and I think that is not normal.

Thank's for your answer.

Duke from France.

[Duke]

I found this video and it's very interesting:

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=oe59bMngUus&feature=related

When I am at this moment, I can not compress the plate up the slot and I can not put the ring to block the plate.

I can remove the parts No. 17 and No. 18 without problems. It's normal?
http://www.yearone.com/yodnn/Portals/10/GM-diagrams/e-tiltcol.jpg

[SCREECH]

When I am at this moment, I can not compress the plate up the slot and I can not put the ring to block the plate.
It's been a while since I last worked on the inside of a tilt column, but it's possible that you may have to align the bearing or the cage that goes over it - basically, pull out on the steering shaft while you reach down in and push in on the bearing and cage while rotating them if you can. Make sure they are completely seated. If they are, and you hold them into the column with your fingers, the shaft should be held securely in place. If not, they're not seated correctly.

There shouldn't be anything other than those parts that would prevent you from getting that plate compressed enough to get the retainer clip in place unless the shaft drops back into the column and/or the bearing/cage comes out of place. You didn't have to take anything below that apart, so other than the bearing, cage, your horn contact and the spring, there's no other parts to interfere with the compressing of the plate.


I can remove the parts No. 17 and No. 18 without problems. It's normal?
Yes, the bearing and cage are just sitting in the column on the shaft. They are only held in by the lock plate and spring, so when those are out, the shaft is free to drop down into the column a little, and the bearing/cage are free to come out of place, allowing the shaft to flop around like you've experienced.

The key, Duke, is keeping the bearing in place while you get everything assembled. Like I said, pull out on the shaft while you push in on the bearing, and try to keep tension on the shaft, keep pulling out on it, while you get the rest of the stuff in place. I know it'll be a little tricky. You might try putting the column all the way down to the bottom of it's tilt capacity so that the shaft will not drop into the column quite as easily.

Keep us posted as to your progress. Just remember, to check if the bearing is still seated, just try wiggling the shaft - if it wiggles the bearing is out of place.

[Duke]

Thank's for your help. I have found this topic:

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020.html

[SCREECH]

http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020.html
NIIIICE - I SO bookmarked that one! Thanks! :rock: