#$&%&** Car

[tallbump]

:rant: Is falling apart.

Dang passenger side tail light cover fell off on Mother's Day as I was driving down the road.

Now the friggin steering wheel column is lose, you can grab the wheel and move the whole column around where it would pivot for the tilt function.
Then the passenger side turn signal stopped working.
Now, you can barley get the car started because you have to line up the dang steering column just right.

Not sure how to tighten it.
I pulled the steering wheel off and couldn't figure out how to get the turn signal stuff off to get to the bolts.

Oh yeah, I broke the horn too:rant:

[dcjredline]

There are some write-ups online that tell you. I have 3 older GM's with tilt wheel and I am dreading the day this happens to mine. I take EXTRA precautions NOT TO pull on the wheel while entering and exiting the cars so I dont put unneeded wear on this.

[tallbump]

I'll have to search around. Thanks for the heads up.

[Othermusketeer]

My 95 ciera has tilt, but it is also extremely difficult to get in and out the drivers seat (every tall adult that has sat in it agrees).

My armrest has broken, and now I read that my steering could break as well. Should I see about finding a friend of a friend who can weld a hand hold onto the ceiling? The cost is out of the question for now, but I suppose I could replace the seat with a lower one, or one with lift and side tilt? How does a 6ft tall person with unusually long legs get in and out wihtout grabbing/leaning on anything? Everyone with long legs has to lower themselves into the car and pull themselves out (as if climbing out of a hole).


I'm not trying to hijack this; dcjredline said leaning on the steering column on entry/exit can do this. I wonder how to avoid it then.

[Tuddi]

I'm 6'4", so the issue does apply to me as well. My Bluesmobile doesn't have a tilt column... so I can not adjust it for easier entry. What I do, and which results in NO abuse of the steeringwheel/column, is to sit down while having both feet firmly planted on the ground outside the car. Then I rest my elbow on the armrest (yes, without out the armrest it would be a bit trickier, but not impossible. I'd put the palm of my hand on the passenger seat, and then swing the legs in and under the steeringwheel.

Don't worry... in order to write down the above, I had to go to the car and physically do what I normally do. I have never thought about how I enter, but I do it in the above way. When I exit the car, I swing the legs out, lean the body out and stand up. All without putting any weight or strain on the steering mechanism or the door. Long legs? That's me.

Well... actually I had a problem entering the car the first day I had the car... this being my first 2x4 vehicle ever. So I had to change the way I normally entered my 4x4's, which did include holding onto the steering wheel... if I recall it correctly.

[dcjredline]

I did not say the tugging / leaning on the wheel will cause this I said I am doing what I can TRYING to prevent this. I do the same as Tuddi does going IN. I leave both feet out and the second reason I do that is to knock my feet off a little (Especially in the winter) then swing my legs in. I am 6'1 so I also know what your going through especially in the Formula but I am NOT going to go through the suffering to tighten the column some day IF I can avoid it.

[Jr's3800]

I did not say the tugging / leaning on the wheel will cause this I said I am doing what I can TRYING to prevent this. I do the same as Tuddi does going IN. I leave both feet out and the second reason I do that is to knock my feet off a little (Especially in the winter) then swing my legs in. I am 6'1 so I also know what your going through especially in the Formula but I am NOT going to go through the suffering to tighten the column some day IF I can avoid it.


I'll say it... The steering wheel is not intended to be an entry or exit weight bearing device... This does and will take its toll on the steering column... I have seen lose steering columns before... A couple of the bolts are a disaster to get to.. But at the same time if you have done a few of these then you should be able to figure it out... And when you tighten the lose bolts make sure you use some Red thread locker on them so they never back out again..

We have in the past simply just replaced the column if it was bad enough.. Some times the U pull it can be your friend..

Brian, its too bad I am not close enough to help you...

[85_Ciera_Rebuild]

The steering wheel is not intended to be an entry or exit weight bearing device..


Before tilt steering wheels, say pre 1970s vehicles, I think most all could handle it...back when "real steel" was used.

Not uncommon on 18 wheeler to use steering wheel when climbing aboard for maintaining one's balance, with gentle tug on it.

[notsoslimshady76]

That stinks tallbump. That's the thing about these older cars though. You can go two years without a problem, then 5 happen in the same day. They're little things and all somewhat easily fixed

[tallbump]

Yeah. I am 6''2" but to tell you the truth I don't think I really use it to get in and out. I'll have to pay attention.
I think the wife uses it though.
I am not so mechanically inclined, so I don;t know if this is something I can tackle or not.
The garge right by me quoted like $90 or so. I guess that's not TOO bad, but I don;t know if I'll even own the car for more than a few more months.

How bad can this get. Can the thing actually fall off?

Is there a real saftey issue?

Don, haven't you been wanting to take a drive up North?:lol:

[dcjredline]

How bad can this get. Can the thing actually fall off?

Is there a real saftey issue?

Don, haven't you been wanting to take a drive up North?:lol:

I suppose it COULD fall off eventually.

YES if the wheel wont stay where its supposed to and you have to make an emergency maneuver just think about the possibilities of disaster when your wheel suddenly drops down while trying to turn it.

Up North? Yeah I guess you are a little North of me. I would come out but you are 4 or 5 hours from me. Long trip at $4 a gallon. I have to go to Carlisle in a couple weeks thats going to be a $75 trip for sure.

[tallbump]

I was hoping you would say no, it won't fall off.

LOL, I was talking about Don (Jr's3880) in Florida.

[Jr's3800]

I was hoping you would say no, it won't fall off.

LOL, I was talking about Don (Jr's3880) in Florida.


Yeah Buddy I could totally use a trip up north... But its a bit too costly..

If I was next door to you the column would have already been replaced:)

[dcjredline]

LOL, I was talking about Don (Jr's3880) in Florida.

We need nick names!!! LOL Or both of us cant help the same person anymore!!!

[Electra_T_Type]

Collapsed steering column is dangerous, it wrecks havoc on other components. I bought my T-Type like that and the times I was driving it on left hand corners it would shut off and the steering locks.

[CieraSL92]

Yeah that'd be the ignition lock binding up.

It should be fixed-I've seen this crap on several GM tilts from the early 90s (Luminas in particular)

Having said that I do tug on the wheel a bit getting out. It's been a habit for the last two years. Maybe somebody already had mine apart?

[CieraSL92]

My 95 ciera has tilt, but it is also extremely difficult to get in and out the drivers seat (every tall adult that has sat in it agrees).

My armrest has broken, and now I read that my steering could break as well. Should I see about finding a friend of a friend who can weld a hand hold onto the ceiling? The cost is out of the question for now, but I suppose I could replace the seat with a lower one, or one with lift and side tilt? How does a 6ft tall person with unusually long legs get in and out wihtout grabbing/leaning on anything? Everyone with long legs has to lower themselves into the car and pull themselves out (as if climbing out of a hole).

Ass in first then swing legs in? Grab onto the pillars when you get out-I'm working on that myself.

[Jr's3800]

We need nick names!!! LOL Or both of us cant help the same person anymore!!!


Don & Don to the rescue...

Everyone can Call me Jr:)

[dcjredline]

Or maybe 1/2 cause your post count is just about half. How about JAH!!! Just About Half? Just teasin ya.