Correct Spring for a 77 GM Column?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
From: Olympia
Correct Spring for a 77 GM Column?
Just purchased a 77 442 cutlass and the steering wheel was scary loose.
Turns out the PO didn't reinstall the upper Spring and race which caused all the bearings to fall out.
I found the Spring and bearings at the local Junk Yard from a later model Van with the column torn apart.
I thought the GM column were pretty much the same but after installing the spring
I was unable to get the Lock plate back on (actually bent it).
So wondering what Spring would be correct to order?
I did find a 80 Skylark in the yard with a intact column I may be able to pull it from but would rather just order a spring.
Thanks for any insight!
Turns out the PO didn't reinstall the upper Spring and race which caused all the bearings to fall out.
I found the Spring and bearings at the local Junk Yard from a later model Van with the column torn apart.
I thought the GM column were pretty much the same but after installing the spring
I was unable to get the Lock plate back on (actually bent it).
So wondering what Spring would be correct to order?
I did find a 80 Skylark in the yard with a intact column I may be able to pull it from but would rather just order a spring.
Thanks for any insight!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,061
From: central Indiana
I just tore down 13 steering columns for parts. Some came from trucks, front wheel drive, vans, etc. As far as I can tell, the springs are the same. Are you sure you have the bearing race, cage, etc installed correctly?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
From: Olympia
I'm fairly confident its together correctly.
I did allot of research before putting it all back together.
It had been messed with pretty badly and left that way
so it is possible there is more going on.
if they are indeed the same then it looks like I'll have to tear it down a little farther. I tore it down to the lower column
to tighten the 2 lower bolts but didn't go any farther than that.
thanks Matt I'll tear into it more and post some pics.
I did find a column from a 80 Buick skylark that looks like it would fit really well. It has the column mounted high beam and shifter so that's kinda a last resort.
I did allot of research before putting it all back together.
It had been messed with pretty badly and left that way
so it is possible there is more going on.
if they are indeed the same then it looks like I'll have to tear it down a little farther. I tore it down to the lower column
to tighten the 2 lower bolts but didn't go any farther than that.
thanks Matt I'll tear into it more and post some pics.
I did find a column from a 80 Buick skylark that looks like it would fit really well. It has the column mounted high beam and shifter so that's kinda a last resort.
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,539
From: Northern VA
More to the point, is this a tilt column? It is quite common for these tilt columns to loosen up. There is a process for disassembling them to allow you to reach the bolts that need to be tightened.
http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/...lumnwobble.htm
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16
From: Olympia
Just wanted to update this thread in case anyone else has the same problem.
Turns out my lower (upper) bearings were gone also. Only way to find out is to tear it down like you would if you were tightening the 4 bolts. Originally I had thought they were there by looking down with a flashlight. It turns out I was just seeing the bearing race.
So after replacing both upper bearings and Tightening the 4 bolts it feels like new!
Turns out my lower (upper) bearings were gone also. Only way to find out is to tear it down like you would if you were tightening the 4 bolts. Originally I had thought they were there by looking down with a flashlight. It turns out I was just seeing the bearing race.
So after replacing both upper bearings and Tightening the 4 bolts it feels like new!
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