countryboy17
I'm Awesome
Hi I don’t have grab handles on my truck so I push my body weight down on the steering wheel when I grab the wheel to get in is it going to loosen up my column more from doing this over time ??
C2500 steering wheel
- Thread starter countryboy17
- Start date
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Some of that depends on how big you are. If your 125 LBS then it will take a lot longer than if you 425 LBS. Is your truck 4 feet off of the ground, and your using the steering wheel to pull your self into the seat. Fact is, the more weight you put or pull against the steering wheel, the more easley it will ware out. Short answer, yes it can ware out the steering column. Even more so on a tile wheel.
someotherguy
Truly Awesome
1994 and older? Absolutely will aggravate the tendency for the tilt knuckle bolts to work they way loose, which is a bit of work to get in and tighten 'em up.
1995-up.. probably just slowly strain that rotten aluminum column casting until it cracks.
Richard
countryboy17
I'm Awesome
Thanks for reply great response I’ll deffinetly look into some side steps it’s only a 1/4 inch of play in the column up and down but I don’t want to make it any worse I’ve seen these older gmt400 with really bad column play and it’s a nightmare to get access to the 4 bolts that come loose over time hopefully it doesn’t get any worse haha cheers
I just went into the column in my 91 to tighten those four bolts. Having never been into one of these years columns I will say it is a bit intimidating. There are a dozen or more vids on you tube and I took a few pics. Only a couple of tools required. Steering wheel puller obviously, a locking plate removal tool and a pivot pin remover. I also bought a small set of outside torx sockets to fit those four bolts. I used orange Loctite on those bolts. All tight once again.
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My truck was down for awhile, a buddy loaned me his '89 K1500.
When I had it, the steering column had enough slop that the steering wheel wobbled about a half-inch.
I fixed a batch of stuff on that truck--cruise, wipers, tune-up and O2 sensor--but never got to the column before getting my truck going and giving his back to him.
Next time I drove that truck the steering wheel flopped around like a crazed Marlin. I was (am) scared the thing is going to just fall off. I got him a replacement steering column; but he "doesn't have time" to install it.
When I had it, the steering column had enough slop that the steering wheel wobbled about a half-inch.
I fixed a batch of stuff on that truck--cruise, wipers, tune-up and O2 sensor--but never got to the column before getting my truck going and giving his back to him.
Next time I drove that truck the steering wheel flopped around like a crazed Marlin. I was (am) scared the thing is going to just fall off. I got him a replacement steering column; but he "doesn't have time" to install it.
ledzepfanmark
Newbie
Was the results worth the trouble? How much did it improve?
Tightening the bolts to resolve a sloppy "tilt" steering column is VERY common, and VERY worthwhile.
It's a PITA, though.
ledzepfanmark
Newbie
I'm don't know where all my play is coming from. I just did the rag joint, haven't even driven it yet! The plastic "bearing" has play, I'll do it next. My mechanic buddy said the parts from pump down feel fine, not new, but fine
