Steering Column Fix

I finally dropped in on fixing the play in my steering column.

I used this guy's video for pulling everything apart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_AsS2Km9rE

I also fixed the play in the tilt-ball like this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsOptgpfshg&t=1176s

A few things I did differently:

1. I used vice grips to remove the tilt springs (instead of a flat piece of metal).
2. There wasn't enough play in the tilt ball to allow for oil bottle thickness, so I used a piece of thinner plastic packaging.
3. I don't have a welder and I didn't feel like shopping for roll pins, so I drilled through the outer sleeve of the shaft, and just slightly into the inner shaft. I tapped hole with a 5mm tap and installed a pinch bolt with some red thread locker. If it ever loosens up in the future I can just tighten it down a bit more.

Super easy, and feels great.

 

Nice, bud. I did the same thing a few weeks back but used two set screws, just like the ones on toilet roll paper holders! Aligning the splines on reinstallation was a PITA as my chalk/marker marks got wiped away but managed.

 

Thanks for this info got some play on my column also going to try this .

 

Hey Sven, glad my videos helped you out. Great job doing the work yourself. I'm Timmy the Toolman.

 

I posted the wrong videos...updated now. It's definitely worth the time. Mine feels a lot better, especially on chunky rocks.

 

Just realized I put the wrong links for the videos I used. Fixed now. I probably should have done 2 screws as well...we'll see how one goes. At least I know it's an easy fix if I need to add another one.

 

Thanks, Timmah!

 

Just realized I pasted the wrong video links...Updated now.

 

You could have actually used my video for the whole job. The Hawaii guy showed the same steps we did in our video. Hmmm, I wonder where he learned it from since our video came out around 4 months before his. He could have learned it from a forum write-up but something tells me he saw us do it, thought it would be a good video for his own channel and copied us.

 

Imitation, the ultimate form of flattery!