Just curious if anyone has serviced their steering column??

[Guest Kitskaboodle]

The reason I ask is because mine was terribly loose. My mechanic said that this is a common

problem with GM steering columns. Is yours loose?

While he was inside mine, he found that the air bag clock spring was totally unwound and the cancel cam was also broken.

Tell me about your steering column?

Thanks, Kit / 90 Reatta Coupe

[Guest MauiWowee]

How many miles, Kit? Mine has 103K and feels fine, no play, all functions on the column work. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Texan]

The '88 I bought had more play in the steering wheel than was normal. I took it apart and discovered the bearing for the shaft was broken. I talked to a mechanic that worked for the Buick house, he said many of the problems with the steering wheel was caused by people grabbing the wheel and pulling themselves into the car and using the wheel to steady themselves when they got out. Whatever the cause it can create a real problem when the steering locks up like mine did on the highway.

Texan

[jonlabree]

What is an air bag clock spring???

I had the tilt unit rebuilt last summer. They have problem with the pins working themselves loose. Not expensive as no parts are needed. The pins are reseated and peened on the ends so they cannot come loose again.

[Guest Kitskaboodle]

My 90 has 171K on it. Whoever had this car drove it very hard...and replaced nothing. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The key is to make sure you put blue loctite on the bolts so that they dont come loose again.

Otherwise, vibration can work them loose. (well, that's what my mechanic said)

Kit

[shoreice]

A friend of mine has replaced the steering column in his 90 olds three times. He is very large and pulls himself into the car by holding onto the wheel. The bearings do break easily. Same wonderful GM design as ours.