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Topic: Play in steering wheel (Read 1487 times) previous topic - next topic

Play in steering wheel

The steering wheel in my 88 has some play in it. If you grab the wheel with both hands and push/pull on it, it will wiggle back and forth. Last night I pulled all the steering column plastic off to investigate. There's a die cast housing that goes around the top end of the steering column that has all the electrical connectors on it, the tilt wheel mechanism, ignition switch, the stalks etc. As I moved the wheel around you can see the whole housing moving around. I couldn't find any attaching hardware or such. For now, I made a shim to go between the die-cast piece and the outside of the steering column which took most of the wiggle out but there must be some kind of bolt or clamp that holds this on? My shop manual is rather vague about this area so I was wondering if anyone here has experienced a similar condition?
Thanks,
Rick
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1988 T/C body with a 5.0 transplant. Motor has a Vortech V-2 supercharger, Edlebrock Performer RPM II intake, heads, FRPP F-303 cam, Comp Cams roller rockers, Power Pipe, LMAF, full Mac exhaust, lowered, Koni's, 5 lug conversion, Cobra wheels, 13" Cobra brakes, etc.
SOLD September 2020. Will miss this car after 19 years of building/driving/showing it off. Time for a new chapter in my life.
Dynoed 446 horse/409 torque at the wheels.
2003 Tenth Anniversary Cobra Convertible. 1 of 369 Torch Red made.
2021 Chevrolet 3500 dually, crew cab Duramax.

Play in steering wheel

Reply #1 –
I had the same problem with my high mileage 88.  There are two bolts that hold that piece you are talking about.  I can't remember If I had to remove anything though.. as its been over two years ago.
One 88

Play in steering wheel

Reply #2 –
remove the turn signal switch and tighten the 2 13mm bolts under it
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

Play in steering wheel

Reply #3 –
I've had to do that a few times over the years.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Play in steering wheel

Reply #4 –
I didn't remove the turn signal switch, no wonder I couldn't see the bolts. Thanks everyone.
Rick
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1988 T/C body with a 5.0 transplant. Motor has a Vortech V-2 supercharger, Edlebrock Performer RPM II intake, heads, FRPP F-303 cam, Comp Cams roller rockers, Power Pipe, LMAF, full Mac exhaust, lowered, Koni's, 5 lug conversion, Cobra wheels, 13" Cobra brakes, etc.
SOLD September 2020. Will miss this car after 19 years of building/driving/showing it off. Time for a new chapter in my life.
Dynoed 446 horse/409 torque at the wheels.
2003 Tenth Anniversary Cobra Convertible. 1 of 369 Torch Red made.
2021 Chevrolet 3500 dually, crew cab Duramax.

Play in steering wheel

Reply #5 –
iirc,, the factory ones are torx.

Play in steering wheel

Reply #6 –
Quote from: jcassity;164008
iirc,, the factory ones are torx.


 
the last few ive torn down were 13mm
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

Play in steering wheel

Reply #7 –
Last night I finally got around to fixing my shaky steering wheel. The bolts mentioned above are hidden behind the multi-function switch. To get the switch out you need a T-15 torx bit. The bolts are 13MM head size.
Bolts are in the dark center section of the picture. The bright portion is the die cast part that was moving around. Threaded holes are for the torx screws.
Thanks for the help eveyone.
Rick
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1988 T/C body with a 5.0 transplant. Motor has a Vortech V-2 supercharger, Edlebrock Performer RPM II intake, heads, FRPP F-303 cam, Comp Cams roller rockers, Power Pipe, LMAF, full Mac exhaust, lowered, Koni's, 5 lug conversion, Cobra wheels, 13" Cobra brakes, etc.
SOLD September 2020. Will miss this car after 19 years of building/driving/showing it off. Time for a new chapter in my life.
Dynoed 446 horse/409 torque at the wheels.
2003 Tenth Anniversary Cobra Convertible. 1 of 369 Torch Red made.
2021 Chevrolet 3500 dually, crew cab Duramax.

Play in steering wheel

Reply #8 –
I have to tighten those bolts about once a year.No big deal.Now you know.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Play in steering wheel

Reply #9 –
Thats some good info. Ill have to do  that since the rack is out of my car right now.
It's Gumby's fault.
 

Play in steering wheel

Reply #10 –
If you have to torque them back down once a year sounds like they need some lock tite.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

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