loose Steering wheel

[yimmity]

Hi, 97 cavalier with tilt steering. Problem is loose steering wheel; it can move up and down slightly and sideways. question: does the steering wheel have to be removed or just the column shroud to repair it?

[Three_Fingers]

You'll probably be better off replacing the entire column. I had to replace mine (Cost about $100 from a junkyard).
The thing that'll happen eventually if you let it go is one day you'll be making a turn and the top bearing will fall apart wnd jam your ateering and most likely short out the electicals (signal switch/hazards/etc.) to ground as the steering lock ring saws thru the wiring, causing a goodly fire.
Happened to me.
It's infinitely easier just to replace the whole column than to try to fix the top bearing.
Just a clamp on the steering u-joint, coupla bolts on the toeboard, coupla bolts on the dash underside and a coupla electrical plugs. Easy as pie.

You can change over your ignition lock cylinder, too so it's no big deal.

[SpitAndDirt]

You could save yourself some money though, and do the repair yourself. A lot of these GM front wheel drives have a problem with the steering acting more like a joystick. I would not bother with a junkyard, instead invest in a GM steering column Pivot Pin remover. Your local parts store may have no clue what you need, but your local Professional Tool Dealer(Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell) will. You need to be able to remove your airbag, and disconnect it under the dash. The other three specialty tools are a GM Lock Plate Remover, a Steering Wheel Puller, and a set of External Torx Bits. These can usually bit rented for cheap. The real problem for your wobbly steering wheel is 4 Torx bolts that hold the stationary part of the tilt mechanism to the body of the colum. The only way to access them are by removing the air bag. Then comes the steering wheel itself, the lock plate underneath, and then the plastic shrouds and turn signal lever. This is where that pivot pin remover comes in. It is used to remove the upper half of the tilt assembly by removing the pivot pins on either side. This then exposes the bolts you need to tighten up. Then by using the External Torx type bits you remove one bolt at a time and apply a small amount of blue loctite to them. Replace them and tighten them down securely. No need to strain yourself though, they are not supposed to be THAT tight. Reassmble everything in reverse order and your done. I should say to always check with a service manual to find out how to safely remove the air bag. I do not want you getting hurt because something when wrong. If you think this is out of your skill level then by all means have someone else do it. But it's really not that hard. I can't say that it will be exactly like this, but this is a general idea of whats involved hope this helps. -Chris

[yimmity]

Thank's chris..........