Movement in steering column

[SkeksisNV]

I changed out my steering wheel with a wheel from 88-93 Chevy truck. Now the steering wheel has about an inch or so movement in and out of the column and it shifts in 360* side to side top and bottom of the column. Anyone know what I should be looking for to fix this? This is the first time I have ran into this problem.

[29od1]

The center shaft can move down about an inch when the steering wheel nut is loosened. Check to see if the nut needs a spacer/washer so that the threads don't bottom out before the center shaft and wheel get tight.

[SkeksisNV]

I am still having this problem with the steering column. I posted some videos of what I am seeing and what it is doing. The truck handles fine while driving. Its more of an annoyance and I am sure there is safety issues involved with this kind of movement. I plan on getting another steering column but would like to know more about what is going on here. Any ideas?

Here is video of the column under the hood:
http://youtu.be/L3c-sfP8TKI

Here is video of the wheel/column in the cab:
http://youtu.be/tZwe88CuF74

[AirSpeed]

I've never seen one do that! Did you check the bearings behind the turn signal switch, it looks like its missing the spacer or the bearing/bushing came apart. You may want to check the rag joint under the hood, see if there's something going on there as well. I would be afraid to drive it with that much play going on.
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[SkeksisNV]

The bearing behind the wheel is present. Didn't see a bushing gonna have to Google rag joint lol
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[SkeksisNV]

Rag joint could probably use a replacement but there is not a whole lot of movement there and don't think its related. This started after I replaced the steering wheel few months back. What's in there is the bearing, then the turn signal can then the wheel then a washer then the nut.
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[AirSpeed]

Take a look at LMC, they have an exploded view of the steering column. I took my column apart last year to clean up the shift linkage and mine wouldn't move in and out more than a 1/4" even with the steering wheel off. Is the hub on the new wheel the same thickness as the old one? Almost seems like its not set on the shaft as deep as it should be.
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[SkeksisNV]

I went from stock 1971 gmc wheel to the 88-94 chevy truck steering wheels. I tossed the old wheel out because it was basically wire so I don't have it around to compare anymore.

[SkeksisNV]

Took your advice looked at the exploded view. I forgot to put the spring back in. Column is much more secure now. Although I think I may have done some dmg with driving it for a few months that way. Got a new column ordered anyhow. I'll try to rebuild this one after the new one shows up. Thanks
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[Mrhorsepower97]

Originally Posted by SkeksisNV

Took your advice looked at the exploded view. I forgot to put the spring back in. Column is much more secure now. Although I think I may have done some dmg with driving it for a few months that way. Got a new column ordered anyhow. I'll try to rebuild this one after the new one shows up. Thanks
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What spring are you talking about here? I also have a similar issue and bought my truck this way with an aftermarket steering wheel. I replaced the inner bearing and that helped the 360 degree movement but as soon as I pulled on the steering wheel it pulled the bearing out of place. What is used between the bering and the steering wheel adapter? It's about a 1 " gap or so.

[muckyp]

I hate to revive such an old post, but I having this exact problem. Can someone help me with what the solution to this problem was? What spring was he missing?

[muckyp]

I found this image. Is this what hes talking about by chance? Cause I don't have one of those springs. Should I?

[JointTech]

i didnt have that spring either but mines a non tilt...

[muckyp]

I guess I should have mentioned that mine is a non tilt column.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by muckyp

I found this image. Is this what hes talking about by chance? Cause I don't have one of those springs. Should I?

If the column (pictured in video) that this thread was originaly posted about was "fixed" by adding a spring up top then it was not really fixed, it was jerry-rigged. The non-tilts in these trucks never had a spring under the wheel, only the tilt columns had the spring under the horn contact-t/s cancel cam. If I were to make a guess at what the original thread poster needed to correct his column, I would say that he had left out the horn contact-t/s cancel cam which is an important piece on the non-tilts as it centers the inner shaft to the upper bearing and also assists in setting the correct inner shaft depth and spacing on the steering wheel to column clearance. I just took the below bottom end pictures for another board member yesterday, have a look as you maybe missing something down there, and if you click on the below older thread link I had added some pictures of the other top side parts in reply #7. Just remember that the tilt and non-tilt columns are entirely two different columns in both design and parts list. Good luck on the fix! Mel


Thread link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515103

[muckyp]

Here is a pic of the inside and outside. See any obvious problems?

[Drewski23]

mine does the same thing...its a non tilt.

mine will go up down side to side but you cant pull it towards you like in the video...so maybe OPs problem with the forward movement was the spring. however the side to side/up down movement would remain....

it would have to be something inside the steering column that would keep the shaft centered...seems like itd be the cancelling cam?

[muckyp]

Anyone else have any ideas about this? As far I can tell, there is only one canceling cam available for these trucks and I think that is the only thing between the steering wheel hub and the upper bearing. It looks like if the canceling cam was longer it would fix this problem, but I have a feeling I am wrong.

[muckyp]

So I pulled the steering column out to try figure this out and figured out that there is an adjusting ring that the lower bearing sets in. Can someone confirm that this will in fact adjust the placement of the lower bearing, thus taking up some of the slack in the steering column, before I put his thing back together?

[muckyp]

I finally got this problem fixed. The problem was two fold. The previous owner did not have the steering shaft seated completely into the lower shaft. Also the adjusting ring, just above the lower bearing allows you take adjust the shaft. All is well now. On to the next problem.