FAQ: Steering Column Slop, Problems & Replacement

Thanks for the pic! Do you have any more info on this? I'm thinking of pulling my column apart soon. Mine's getting bad...

It would be great to have a write up for this issue. How long did it take you Tyler?

well about two-3 hours. and most columns are basically the same, so if you look anywhere there is a step by step coloumn teardown the basics will be there. unfourtunatly, i took no more pics, as i have recently broke my collarbone and was not to happy about laying on my back in the floorboard to pull the coloumn (wich most of you won't have to do but i had a special case where i didn't need to tear down the coloumn again, just pull it out.). i took that pic because i knew at least it would help you guys understand what you are up against.
by the way, if you go to a buick dealer they can print out an exploded view of the coloumn, which also puts things into perspective. if you have any questions i can answer them though.
hope i can be more help,
tyler

by the way, if your coloum is only slightly loose, either the piece is not totally broke, or, if you look right behind and below the screw driver, there is a round black lookin thing. this is one of two pins that hold the tilting part of the coloumn to the stationary bracket. these pins will come loose, and if you catch them in time, they can simply be ran back in with a screw driver and hammer. good luck

I have an 95 buick riviera sc I notice that I when I drive my steering wheel has alot of play in it it almost to the point that it is undriveable I was thinkin that I need a new steering column, the steering wheel is of the tilt and wobbling from left to right anyone have any advice



thanks

Very common on older GM cars. There is a "Knuckle joint" between your steering wheel and the column itself. It is because of your tilt steering that this "Knuckle joint" has came loose. It is an easy fix. Locate your tilt lever and go from there. I'm not sure on how hard to torque it, but some of the guys on here can probably tell ya. Dont torque it down to hard cause it still needs to function in an up and down manner. Hope this helps.

It's a PITA to fix but it is fixable. I need to repair mine too.

zebster wrote:

Hi again, well my husband took it apart to see what was the problem with the steering wheel and yes there was a pin missing and the housing thing where the pin goes in was broke. From all the reading about this, the best and cheapest way to go was to find a steering column from a salvage yard. Finally found one for $100 + $40 shipping. My car is a 97 and the column I bought was a 95. He got it in and hooked everything up. Everything worked (interior lights, antenna, everything electrical, batttery), but the car would not start. Any info on this?

A zebster could you give me the phone # of the salvage yardyou brought your steering column from if you could find it I"m not having no luck in finding one

anyone have any links to online salvage yards I"m in need of an steering column

Add me to the list of playful steering wheels Mine wobbles up and down, kind alike the wheel is loose, but yet, 1 it hasnt fallen off in my lap, and 2 it still drives fine. From the sound of things, this repair is a real PITA....so it'll either stay the way it is until it falls off in my lap, or I'll have to suck it up and break out the wallet for someone to do it.

Ok I just brought an steering column I today I took it to my mechanic and he told me that he could not put the column on with the old steering wheel, I would like to know if there's any truth to that or do I need to buy and whole new steering column with the wheel

Could it have something to do with airbags?

You could always get an aftermarket wheel without the airbag. Just don't ever hit your head against it

Anyone have a expanded diagram of the sterring wheel column? The shop said today that the intermediary bushing is shot and I would like to see if this is something I can tackle myself.

I've seen it posted here previously, not sure of the thread though. I don't know if a 97 is identical or not, but I could take a pic of my service manual page and post it later or email it to you. The steering column can be a real PITA to work on. I'm not familiar with the item he's referring to, but if their price isn't too high, I'd let them do it, IF it is really needed. ????

1998 Riv,

If you could email me a picture, I would appreciate it. I found a general diagram but I'd like Riv specific. I looked back into the old threads and found mention of removing slop due to the pivot joint but nothing on the intermediate shaft.

The mechanic told me she thought Buick issued a bulletin at one point. And after surfing the web, it sounds like it is a problem for heavier cars and trucks and it's not that uncommon.

I'll try to get it done tonight, right now we're working on getting my wife out the door for a Hungary trip. PM your email address in the meantime.

Emails sent.

Dave,

Thanks for the diagrams! I can't find an autopart store that carries the bearing or the intermediat shaft so I will have to check with Buick tomorrow.

You're welcome, happy to help.

Dave, can the diagrams be posted? Many of us need to tackle this job. That information would be very useful!

Agree^^^ Post them up!

I'll try to get them on photobucket today and post them here. Pretty busy at work right now, and the diagrams are currently on my laptop at home, though I can do them here too.

There are 2 exploded views, first one was labeled for tilt steering, 2nd labeled for floor shift. ???

parts for each, respectively: