Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

My tilt column is kinda loose . Everything works fine, but I’d like it to not have the play in it.
I’ve seen a couple YouTube videos on columns for Square body trucks but not ours.
I consider myself pretty good at fixing things myself (as I’ve done all the rebuilding of my truck), but don’t need to tear it down, before I find out it can’t be done without specialty tools.
As I said I can do things myself, and don’t really want to spend $500+ to have a vendor do what I can myself..
Feel free to give whatever input you can, from advice to “I wouldn’t try that if I were you”. :metal:

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

I see a lot of lookers, but I guess nobody’s gonna respond.:smoke:

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Its been a long time since I worked on one, but there are 3 nuts in there that loosen up & cause the bowl to be loose. If those are tightened up it takes the play out of it. I just can't recall how I got to them.
George

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

This might help...

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ck_Rebuild.pdf

Rg

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Here you go:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...+column+screws

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

I've rebuilt 3 tilts using the info in these 2 threads. The toughest part for me was pulling the collar without damaging it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157328

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=329008

Edit:
Here are pictures of the tools used. The first is a homemade puller for the collar. The second is the pin puller. I bought the tool in the third picture after I refurbished the columns. I think it is used to remove the shift tube (see pictures in the 2 links).

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Yes you can do it. The collar is the worst part. I soak the collar with Kroil for a week before I even attempt to remove it. It’s steel and slip fits onto the column, so any light corrosion makes it super tight and easy to damage.
Here’s a picture of the puller I modified for the collars. I used a cut off wheel to slot the jaws so the fit in the rolled edge of the collar.

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Wow. Great responses.
So, say I can find the two specialty tools (I have a puller i can use), is this doable? As I said before, I can fix most anything, but I don’t want to get into something too deep, and end up ruining my column.
Thanks again for the responses :metal:

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Wow
I finally had time to look at the other links.
Now I’m kinda leery of tearing into this.
What is it that causes the “play” in the column? Is it the pivoting knuckle?
Or are there screws that can be tightened?

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

i would recommend you contact member Kevsclassic he refurbishes columns , he might be able to assist or redo yours.
I bought a gm tilt from him and I have no complaints

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

This is not rocket science. If I can do it, I have no doubt you can also. The biggest risk is causing damage to the collar the gear indicator mounts to.

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

It's the 4 bolts that hold the knuckle to the column. They get slightly loose and you feel that slack magnified by the distance to the outer edge of the wheel.
I have a couple of pics

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Loc-tite on those bolts will cure it.

While the knuckle is out, clean/lube as needed and put it back in. It will only go in one way. You will need to fiddle with it to get it just right so the bolts will start. I run the bolts in dry to get it all centered up and then take them back out one at a time and loc-tite them individually.

A hint; take the upper half of the knuckle out with the steering shaft attached. If the bearings feel bad, then you can opt to take them apart and clean/lube them on the bench as a separate unit.

Also, use a wire wheel on a drill/die grinder to clean up the steering shaft end so the lower bearing will slide out easier. Take it down to shiny metal. Any rust or paint will make it very hard to get that bearing to slide off. Add some spray lube to help. The ID of the bearing has an o-ring to allow the shaft to move slightly as the tilt is operated.

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

I did it on a 1973 trans am back in 1980 before the internet! With all the information out there now, you can do it.

Good luck, Rg

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Ok, y’all are convincing me that this is something I can handle.
Can it be done in the the truck, or should I pull the column out, and do the work on the bench?

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

I'd pull it. It'll make it a lot easier for a complete go through. However, you may be able to get to those screws while the column is installed.

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

I agree, easier to pull it.

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Again thanks a million for all the input.
I’m going to pull it this winter.
I’m gonna fix the shift lever spring, and turn signal canceling cam while I’m at it.
:metal:

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Good call, you’ll like having it all work correctly.
If you have any problems, shoot me a PM and I’ll try to help you out

Re: Tightening up a tilt column. Is it DYI?
 

Thanks, I’ll shoot ya a msg when I finally get to pull it.
I’m finishing my new house then have to move my stuff from SC, before I can even think of getting into this.:lol: