Tilt steering lever

[Duck]

Anybody out there ever have to deal with the tilt steering wheel adjustment lever threads being so loose as to barely hold the lever in?
Any easy fixes? I'm hoping not to havto disassemble the steering coulmn to fix this!
This is on a '91 C-4 coupe.

 

[Ken]

You're gonna hate to hear this, but I'm afraid that's just what you're gonna have to do - tear the column apart. It ain't an easy thing to work on either.

I have not done the job myself, but I know it's a pain. I paid to have mine repaired.

 

[Eagle85C4]

An intermediate fix would be to remove the lever and wrap it a few turns with teflon tape then reinstall. If it still remains loose wrap tape till it tightens up. But eventually you are looking to remove the column for a more secure fix.

 

[JonM]

You could also remove the column and send it to this guy...(only a few nuts and the column is easily removed)http://columnsgalore.com/ He will turn it around in one day. I sent mine there...

 

[Duck]

Thanks for the link!

 

[bowtiebandit]

Been pretty successfull using green loctite on this but I must forwarn you that once in and set up it's a real PIA to remove.

 

[scorp508]

An intermediate fix would be to remove the lever and wrap it a few turns with teflon tape then reinstall. If it still remains loose wrap tape till it tightens up. But eventually you are looking to remove the column for a more secure fix.

Exactly what i was going to say!

 

[Chas]

a thread repair kit

it would cost about 5 bucks and take about 5 mins to fix...any hardware store sells them.

 

[rrubel]

Is it the thread on the lever or the one on the column? I've got an extra lever in the garage if that's the problem...
[RICHR]

 

[The Car Whisperer]

If it's the internal thread you might be able to install a Heli-Coil insert. I don't know if you have enough room to get at it, but, it's worth a look. Heli-Coils are simple to put in and are definitely stronger than the original thread. If the shaft is stripped you might try cutting off the threads and re-threading the end. It will be a little shorter but should work fine until you can get a replacement,