Questions and Answers
Loose Steering Column
Q. Dear Sir, I have a 1984 Dodge B150 Van, 225 Slant 6 engine. Power steering, tilt steering column, cruise control. The steering column is loose and will not pass inspection. They say I need to pull the steering wheel and there are three bolts down in there that need tightening. How do I do it and what "gremlins" will I run into?
Sincerely,
RobertA. Tilt wheel can be tough, even for an experienced mechanic. There are so many small parts inside it that it can get quite confusing even with a diagram.
If it's the whole steering Column that's loose, there are four bolts that mount it to the frame. If you look under the dash with a light and move a few things to the side, you can see them. If they are loose, it's simple enough to tighten them. However I doubt that this is where the problem is. Chances are it's the tilt assembly itself. They wear out and get sloppy over time and need to be replaced. The only way to determine where the problem is is to take the steering wheel and covers off and visually inspecting it.
There are also some special tools required. You'll need a steering wheel puller and a lock plate removal tool. Neither one are exactly cheap.
Unless you are very confident in your abilities, I would recommend this one to an experienced mechanic.
