Steering Wheel Loose
 

Alright Guru's I need some assistance with my '92 250 4x4. The steering wheel has quite a bit of movement up, down, and side to side. If I had to guess, it would be at least 1/2" inch. The actual steering column is secure. It seams like the spline that the steering wheel is fastened to is loose? So im wondering where or what is worn to cause the movement. I understand the purpose of a clock spring. But would an aged of faulty clock spring create the feeling of a loose steering wheel? Or is there a bearing of some sort between the tilt and steering wheel that could be worn? Also I recall hearing about a sacrificial pin somewhere in the steering column that is to fail during an impact. Could it be the culprit? Sorry folks, I'm thinking out loud about all the possible culprits before I begin tearing it apart.
Thx
Darren

92 would be the newer style column, right?

Clock spring can have no effect on slop, so that's out.

Not sure about a pin, but when you say slop, just the wheel or wheel and upper part of the column?

There isn't really a pin it is plastic injected into grooves cut into the inner (solid) shaft through holes in the outer sleeve. I have never seen one come loose.
If I had to guess I would say the bearings were shot. I think if the steering wheel were that loose the splines would be so worn they wouldn't engage. .

More so the the wheel.
Not to say that there isn't a little movement in the upper part of the column itself.

So there's a bearing between the tilt and the clock spring?

I didn't realize I is a tilt column[duhhh]. that brings one more thing that it could be.
I am not sure how the dodge tilt mechanism is mounted to the column. but on GM columns it is quite common for the mounting bolts to come loose. causing the symptoms you describe. There are 3 bearings in a three bearings in the tilt column 2 on the top and one at the bottom. I think they would all be under the famous clock spring.( mine is pre clockspring)

Edit, I checked the doge schematic for the dodge tilt and it is very similar to the GM column. And the tilt mechanism is possibly the culprit the culprit.There are 4 bolts that clamp a casting to a floating plate. if the bolts come just a little loose there can be a bunch of movement.

Appreciate it.
Any chance you could forward me a copy of the schematic?

Just for fun My steering column credentials[laugh][laugh][duhhh]

anybody fab their own steering column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fwiw
Most steering column issues can be attributed to using the steering wheel to haul your fat butts into the truck. I grab the pillar to stabilize my entry. Read on these boards many years ago to NOT pull myself up into my truck for the end results are what you guys are talking about

It is a GM made colum in your dodge.

Follow your GM service for tilt wheels.


M

and this is why I left the running boards on mine. seen a lot of loose wheels/columns because of this.

I know a guy that is 86years old that drives a lifted second gen with 34" tires. He has a Rubbermaid plastic step stool with a hole drilled in it for a small rope. when he gets out he lowers the stool with the rope.

There is also a tension spring underneath the column lockplate that goes bad(at least I've had it happen on GM products I've owned). If yer gonna take it apart do yourself a huge favor and pick up a lockplate compression tool... Performance Tool W80649 - Lock Plate Tool | O'Reilly Auto Parts (Not an endorsement of oreilly..just showing the tool) it's about impossible to reassemble without it.

X2 on the tool. I made one after doing a couple without it.

Not a whole lot shown in the parts manual on this style column, decided to look into the FSM and voila, they say it is not designed to be serviced.

Here is the best info I can lay on you.

Attachment 46500

Attachment 46501

Attachment 46502

Well they haven't met us [coffee]

Ok found the culprit. There's a bearing behind the clock spring that's NfG. So I called Chrysler and the column does state that its non serviceable. With that being said, has anyone tried repairing it or know of an alternate fix?

Maybe here.
dodge chrysler plymouth steering column parts & repair | Steering Column Services

I have replaced bearings on a couple GM units.

The guy is in Utah. Probably has replaced those bearings before, based upon his experience.

Great find.....:thumbsup:

Thanks "T" I like looking for parts almost as much as using them.[duhhh]

Do you have any yards around you with Chrysler trucks in it?

There is a snap ring shown, to me therefore it is serviceable....... [laugh]

I would tear into it.

FWIW, many of those parts are the same between Dakota and full size......

^^^^ This^^^^[laugh]
If it truly isn't serviceable what do you have to lose? At least you will gain a understanding of how it works and a spare watch spring.

So there is avoid (3/8"-1/2") between the snap rig and the bearing. Makes me believe there was possibly a color/spacer between the two at one time. Can anyone confirm this?

If there was a color there there should be pieces of it in there somewhere.
Cad you move the bearing center cone down away from the snapring with a screw driver to see if it takes the slack out?

Yes I can move the centre cone down.
The steering wheel was loose when I purchase the truck. So not sure if someone else has been dig around in there before. Possibly removing and pieces or shrapnel.

See if you can find a stiff spring that will fit. or a spacer and a wave washer.
If the bearings are intact it may just need some tension. Ap.o may have been in there and left something out

I have looked high and low for the bearings I call the collun rebuilders they all told me you cant get them apart and ther are no bearing. I found a close one for the inner that would work a 6805 is 25MM ID 37mm od 7mm wide with machine work to the lower bearing bore it would work and you can get it a max load bearing sealed . But the upper one I can't find a bearing with a 19mm bore the closures is a 6903 has a 17mm id 30mm od 7mm wide. why they fail I think its lack of lube I have read on hear its from hauling are fat *** into the seat but I think it's more from lack of lube. the pivot pins come out easy they have a hole in them just run a 10X32 tap in them then pull them out with a screw and spacer I guess its off too the you pull it to see if I can find a good set of bearing the ball I know will fall out so I will stop at a bearing store to get some.first I will check the size to see if they are available. Ken

OK I didn't find a full size Column in the wrecking yards but did find some Dakotas so I pulled the upper bearing assembly . off. you pull the switches off remove and save the snap ring next is the spacer save it then tap the 2 pivot pins use a spacer to pull the pins then the assembly will pull off reach in and get the spacer and spring. there is a spring that pushes on the bottom of the assembly it will fall out I need it as i screwed the one on my truck up in taking it out. the bearing will not come apart if they do they are bad there is enough play in the bearing to grease them I used my finger to force some new grease into the bearings. to put the assembly together put the spring back on the shaft the large cone shaped spacer on the shaft slide the bearing assembly back on tap the pins back into place next is the upper spacer and snap ring I should have made a tool for this I just used a brake spoon to push up on the column I put the brake spoon in back of the ratich for adjusting the column and pushed up to force the column out to get the the snap ring on this took some work would have been easy with a tool or a helper. to reinstall the lower spring I made a tool to put the spring back on. I used a piece of 1" square tube cut a 3/8" slot about 3/4" deep on one side the other side I cut a 3/4' shot about 1" deep on the end the spring is strong so i made the tool about 1' long so I could both hands on it worked first time. Hope this helps someone Ken