Steering Wheel Bit Loose

[roo]

Any Info On How To Tighten Slightly Loose Steering Wheel? I Read The Other Posts Though Did Not Find Any Plastic Pins. Only Two Round Metal Pivots With Threads On The Inside. I Went To Dealer And Was Told I Have To Take It All Apart And Tighten Some Bolts Inside. Advise.

[Indy8]

I have the same condition and would love to correct it also.

[roo]

gona take it apart and fix it. will let you know.

[Indy8]

Excellent! It makes an otherwise solid car feel like junk when you have play in the wheel.

[bustedratchet]

I've done many steering columns but never an Aurora. On other models there are 4 inverted torx bolts that come loose. Take the plastic cover off and wiggle the wheel you'll see where it is.

[Indy8]

Past threads have described the freeplay to be around the collar/hub of the base of the steering wheel, does that sound right? Or is it further down the shaft?

[bustedratchet]

It's past the steering wheel . There is a flange that bolts to the steering column the shaft goes through it. The flange then has ears on it where the pivot point connects to the upper part of the column. In my experience the lower flange bolts are what come loose. But Indy I've never done an Aurora but I cant see it being much different. A lot of guys will only get it there and tighten 2 bolts when there is 4 much more work to do the 4.

[Indy8]

Got it... Thanks!

[BKVic]

When I was in the ARMY in 1990 I bought a 1988 Pontiac Firebird and after a few months the adjustable steering wheel started to loosen up. It got so bad I could pull the wheel to me while setting in the drivers seat without the key in the ignition and start the engine! The colume would still be locked so I couldnt turn the wheel but I thought that was kinda funny. Doesnt have anything to do with our Auroras but still a good story!


BKVic

[Bill V]

The Aurora column is different than the old standard tilt unit that would loosen at the mount.

These units get sloppy when the pivot pins walk out. The right side is easy to re-install and re-stake, but the left one is behind the multi-function switch, so be careful when you drive the pin back in...

[bustedratchet]

Bill,,, Sounds like this can be done by removing the upper and lower plastic cover and get right to the pivot pins without removing the steering wheel. Sure sounds a lot easier to do than the old school ones. Is it the left side that comes loose first ? I know I'm guilty of pushing on the left side of the wheel when I get out of my car.

[Bill V]

Yeah... Just need to remove the upper and lower shrouds to fix this one. The left side does seem to be the first one to come out.

[kiway22]

Fixing loose steering wheels are big business among Virginia's inspections, where i live. Some where around $500 dollars a pop. I had a lot of play, in my steering wheel, if you move it up or down. This is caused by those 2 steel pivot pins. on each side of the steering column. Over the years, the cheap metal ( old timers call it pot metal ) around the pivot pens. Causes the holes to get a little larger, but not much. I took a pivot pin to a machine shop, and got 2 made. Just 1/16th larger, and made the holes in the steering column. Exactly as the outside of the new pivot pins. I used some small dremel cylindrical sanding drums. To enlarge the holes a bit. And then used small vise grip pliers with a exact sized drill bit. To twist through the holes. I didn't want to use a power drill. Because sometimes a power drill will wobble a bit, and mess your hole up. There is still some slight play, but not much. That steering wheel is heavy, so I guess you can expect a little play.