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Hi All,
I was working on a mate's HG steering column to sort out the horn button connection.
It has an aftermarket sports steering wheel which was difficult to remove due to no grab points to use a 3 jaw puller on. I tried thumping either side behind the steering wheel to free it on the spline (lock nut loosened) but the center shaft moved up with the top bearing pulling out of the plastic housing.
I eventually managed to remove the steering wheel using a 3 jaw puller with the jaws reversed and found the screws retaining the top bearing has stripped out of the plastic housing.
I managed to get the center shaft to push back down with a soft face hammer to set the top bearing back in place but we're not confident we have fixed the problem. It still has some movement.
Can any one assist with information / diagram of the steering column to better understand how it is put together and what to do to fix it?
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There's a full drawing in the workshop manual, just above the instruction that says "Don't hit it with a hammer" or words to that effect.
The top shaft of the column slides in a lower sleeve with some resistance given by nylon inserts. It is normal for it to telescope with hand pressure only. The outer tube of the column has a perforated lower section covered by a plastic shroud. It would be prudent to check that the lower sleeve spline is fully engaged in the flexible steering box joint and the bolts are tight, just in case the movement is coming from there. (Unlikely)
The whole thing is designed to collapse with minimal force, hence the requirement to avoid hammers.
The puller is a much better idea.
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The collapsible steering shafts have two injection moulded plastic sheer pins through the flat section where the upper and lower shafts join. The pins are designed to withstand a constant force of 15lbs but not sudden impacts. GM-H recommended replacement of a collapsed steering shaft however a NOS steering shaft is not easy to come by these days. If the bearing retaining screw threads in the plastic housing are stripped then it would be best to replace the whole indicator/upper column bearing & housing assy with a good S/H or new repro unit. This should keep the collapsed steering shaft where it is supposed to be in relation to the steering column jacket and covers.
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 20/03/2010(UTC)
Posts: 23
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Thanks for the info guys, we'll look for a replacement upper plastic assembly, this should help the situation. Not sure if they are available as re-pro units.
The flexible coupling at the steering box is fine, no movement there.
Yes, definitely using a puller only for removing the steering wheel.
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