need help I have 79 camaro steering column and cannot get the lower bowl off. It says to remove four bolts whick I did find and can only get to two to remove. Is this right or is there some other way to remove it? thanks guys
If it's a tilt they should be inverted torx bolts. You'll need to pull the pivots on either side to remove the top part. There is a special puller for removing the pivots that threads into the center of it. Once you've done that you should be able to get to all 4 of the bolts. Is it a tilt ?
Just use the correct thread small bolt sticking out of a small slide hammer. Pops them right out. Just drive them back in with a small hammer.
Thank you I will go out nd try up here in Wisconsin we have plenty of time to work on stuff to cold for anything else. thanks again
Rick, be sure to take the spring out of it before you pull the pivot pins if you haven't already. I believe you can use a quarter inch drive extension and rachet to push down and rotate the retainer on it spring, IIRC. It's been a while since I fooled with one. Dennis
A large Phillips screwdriver works as well. Square hole in the metal cup. Push in and turn counterclockwise to remove.
Hey Rick, let us know how it turns out and what you find. I may be doing the same thing in the future.
Not sure why you're taking it apart but if it's just to fix a loose condition it's almost always those 4 bolts that are the culprit. If so remove them one at a time, give them a dab of red Loctite & reinstall. VERY common problem with those columns. Like Sammny69 said, you can pull those pivots with a small machine screw in a dent puller also. I just happen to have the special tool because I've done tons of them. I've also broke off a screw in one using the dent puller method once which is why I bought the right tool for the job...
Ok first thanks guys once again you made it alot easier for me. All apart ready for rebuild and then install in my 29 ford roadster. The four bolts where so loose that IImight have gotten away with just tighting them but like I said up here in Wisconsin not anything else to do. thanks again for all the help and input it really helps
Be careful with that spring, it's under some pressure. Won't kill you but it could sting if you let it loose and are'nt careful. Those pivot pins might come out without a puller. Use a screw that goes to the bottom of the threads and try to pull them out. Last time I did this they came out pretty easy. I found a picture on the net of the puller on the net. Do a search for tilt steering and you'll find it. Not real rocket science stuff, you might be able to make one. Better parts houses here have them for loan. There are a couple of pretty delicate bearings in the last one I did. They came apart when I removed them. They were the problem. Available at most parts houses I'm guessing. Not very costly.
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