Need Mechanics (the car kind)

markestep85

markestep85

Dalayan Beginner
I own a 2 door 1990 Buick Regal GS, recently the tilt for the steering column broke, and with that my turn signal switch broke (including most of it's functions) the break was my fault as I was trying to remove the steering wheel to put one that I had on the car, I wanted to know if there was a way of removing the part of the column that the steering wheel, and switch is attached to, I have pictures of the column if anyone would like them to see what I'm talking about, here's a picture of the stud I was talking about, I can only upload one pic and this was the best but I have more if you want to email me at [email protected] to get them, I'd really like help on this matter as to the car is un-driveable because of this, also does anyone know how to get the steering wheel off these cars, I've tried a steering wheel puller but it just didn't work, actually one of the bolts broke on it when I was backing it out.

Mark
 
i know what yer talking bout, my subaru has the angle adjust too, but never had it break but it does mess with the indicator, as mine is on the fritz too, but havent found how to fix
 
see, if I can get that stud out and remove that half of the column I'll be good, I can go to a junk yard and get one off another buick or pontiac, olds, chevrolet.. etc. just need to know what all is involved in removing it, I've noticed a few different springs and I don't want them to all fly at my face whenever I try to remove it :psyduck: I'm a pretty decent mechanic, just need to get that fixed so I can drive my car, right now I'm on foot or borrowing someone's car all the time, no one I know knows what to do, so I figured I'd see if any of you guys did, if I know for sure I can remove the thing I'll just find a way to get the steering wheel off while I'm taking the column appart
 
well, if you havent goten a reply by tomorrow when i get back on, my dad is an awsome mechanic, being retired marine and tank mechanic and instructor, and working on cars for like 30 years, so if he dont know, sorry i couldnt help ya
 
will be lookin forward to what your dad has to say, all the books in the world can't replace real world experience, I mean, I can't be the only guy that has ever had this problem, I just hope it doesn't come down to me needing to replace the ENTIRE column, I can't begin to say how much I hope I don't have to replace the whole thing :(
 
Actually, it's a whole lot less work to replace the whole thing, scary as that might sound. There is just the pinch bolt at the bottom attaching the column to the steering rack, a few bolts holding the column to the floor, and the U-bracket holding the column to the dash. Unplug the column harness, air-bag harness (if it has one), and pull the column out.

To seperate the column like you are trying can be done, but it takes a few specialty tools, like a lockplate tool to get the snapring off, the wheel puller (which you obviously have) and the pivot pin remover (that's the stud you're trying to remove). You can usually rent those at a reputable parts store, the only really hard part about removing all this is getting the snap ring off before you try and remove the wheel. This involves using a lockplate tool to push down on the lockplate, exposing the snap ring on the column shaft; take that off and the wheel should come off pretty easy.

After doing auto repair for almost 15 years, I know which route I would rather take :) That column would be coming out without a second thought, I got so tired of retightening tilt mechanism screws in GM columns, those little Torx screws never stayed tight, no matter how much loctite I used.

Hope this helps you, good luck


Zubum Blackscale
 
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