Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

As we all know, Marc Haibeck has solutions for our cars and lives and breathes for the survival of our ZR-1s and LT5s. Although this is a standard Corvette and other GM problem with people trying to use their steering wheel to get in/out of their cars, he came up with a fix for the most common problem.

Mine was experiencing the wobble from top right to bottom left if that is the right way to describe it. I was going to go the domestic misfits link route: http://domesticmisfits.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=124 until I consulted with Hammer (John) and Marc about this issue.

Marc has the enlarged pin that he sells for $50 and even though I thought it was expensive for a pin, I feel that it is well worth it now. Due to the close tolerances these are made and the small order, he explained the price. He said I should only need one for the left side so I only bought one and figured if I was not happy, then I can do the other side.

So the repair is very easy with minimal dismantling (sorry, no pictures).

1. Remove the hush panel or what ever they call it under where your knees are if sitting.

2. Remove the aluminum looking knee bolster thing with 4 bolts (10mm).

3. Remove the tilt column knob by loosening with a small wrench (did not note the size).

4. Loosen the dash gauge cluster bezel trim (4 screws/phillips head) to manuever it out of the way and ensure nothing hangs on it. Not sure if you really need to do this, but I found it hanging when I lowered the column and did not want to take a chance.

5. Remove the two 15mm bolts and bracket that hold the column up and lower slowly.

6. Remove the two plastic covers that cover the area shown here to expose the tilt column pin that will be replaced

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...1/DCP_1199.jpg

Photo courtesy of Marc

7. Use a screw to remove the pin by threading in and pulling if really loose or like I did and use the Lisle tilt wheel pivot pin puller (Ebay $8) like I did. The threaded hole in the top is where the tilt column rod was and right below to the left you can see the pin that you will replace.

8. After I removed the old pin I simple put Marc's enlarged pin in and lifted the column a little to push it in by thumb as far as it could go and tapped it with the hammer. Then I used a brass punch to whack that sucker in all the way until flush.

9. Put the column back up with the bracket and two 15mm head bolts nice and tight. Then everything else in reverse order.

10. Test out the tilt and feel the different. Almost like new with very little movement and it feels solid. I'm happy and won't try to do anything else. Marc stated that even when new these cars had a little bit of movement and might be all that I am feeling because it is solid feeling.

Next project is to remove the stock airbag/bus wheel and put on the Momo Competition wheel with NRG hub and quick release/lock. No wheel in the way should make exiting an entering easier as well as not leaning on the wheel to get out. Have to just do at least 50sit ups a day to strengten my stomach muscles. :cheers: Big Thanks Marc and John.:handshak:

Craig

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Wow, that's really quite easy. I have been into two of these columns now, but they were taken apart completely.

My car was quite bad considering the low mileage, so I bought a new tilt base (took the column out of the car). the base is still available, but not the tilt housing. The oversize pins can correct the play in either. what I did was hand select the pins that I had on hand (the new tilt base came with two more) and then swaged some .003" copper foil used for winding transformers to bush up the tilt housing hole.

I would have preferred to do it the way you did though. In my case i really did need the base pretty badly, but i don't think there are too many good tilt housings that couldn't benefit from a fatter pin.

question/comment:
-$50 is not too much to custom fit to eliminate this problem and avoid column disassembly.
-Can you get the pins with wider inner or outer dimensions (but not both)?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...inswagedin.jpg

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Craig,

I am really glad this worked out for you, I know it did for me on #458. Marc is the man buddy.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thanks Craig.. I got my pin about a week or 2 ago.. I just need to do the work.. As well as my clutch Hydraulics.. now I know exactly what I am looking for

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Just and idea as I like to combine jobs to make complete projects. If your taking the time to do this repair this is an excellant time to replace the guages lens if your is scratched, replace IP bulbs etc. Its a while you are already there type of thing.

Nice write up Craig. GC

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Cliff,

Glad to see you back!!

Jep

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Yep, good idea, and great writeup!

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Did the swap of the one pin. I think I may need the other one but it is better then it was so I am going to leave it for now. I really don't want to pull the column apart

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thanks for all the comments and if it can help someone in the future, that is great. It takes about an hour to do and definitely worth it. I have to admit I had my doubts but I will try to tighten up those other bolts inside the column when I replace the steering wheel just in case. If the other pin is easy to get to it would be worth it to try it, but I imagine there might not be room on the right side to drive it in unless the column is out?

I will say like some have experienced that it depends on how bad your housings are worn. Mine must have been kind of minor and I can imagine that if really worn the englarged pin is not going to help. I'm anxious to see what it is like to get in/out without a steering wheel in the way and quick release.

Aloha from Japan,

Craig :cheers:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thanks for sharing and that sounds great. I had bought all the tools to pull it and do the same. There is a guy that sell the both housing and support ($350 for the pair); probably the best way to go:

http://www.corvettesteering.com/

Tom Reina
Corvette Steering Service
2215 Mullinax Drive
Anderson SC 29625
864-287-9990

I'm surprised with yours and low mileage, but I guess it depends on the owner and how much they use it for support.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

Yeah, I have even sent Marc money for his help; he never asked for it but I have used him so much for technical advice. One year I even sent him an Entertainment coupon book for his area.

I'm surprised that you're not burning your own chips by now? I'm just getting into it and learning, but will do this for the future as there is so much information out and there difficult to do my mail order for fine tuning.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

I've tossed around the idea of changing the steering wheel to an aftermarket one... I'll be interested to see your choice of wheel, Craig!

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Andrew,

It was a difficult decision and I won't tell you how long it took for me to decide on the Momo Competition. Initially I was going with Isotta and some bling, but took a hard look at my interior and what would complement it best:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...ompetition.jpg

The hub/quick release (2.5) and lock are all matte black from NRG.

Craig:cheers:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Looks like it should fit in the C4 interior nicely! I had a similar wheel in my 88 IROC, but I guess I've been hesitant to lose the airbag in my Z.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thanks. I hear you and thought the same about losing the airbag, but I think about all the years I had my hotrods and crashes with no airbags when I was younger. I think I might be more afraid of them. I guess it all depends on what type of accident, but they do save lives too.............I just have survivor benefit plans and insurance for my wife to make sure she is taking care of and I hope my ZR-1 never ends up being my coffin.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Yea it's me again....:o To test if your tilt is worn out you have the wheel locked and just try to get some movement in the up & down plane, so how much movement should there be, none? Or is it any and you need this pin? I am guessing if I never noticed slop in mine, I proly don't have any?

I don't use the wheel to get in & out of the car...I use my left arm on the sill as leverage to get out, and my legs to get part of the way in till I get my left arm on the sill again on the way in....it's hard to describe, but I don't use the wheel as a support for my body. I'm sure I look very odd getting in & out of my car!:sign10:

TIA
:cheers:
Tom

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

I am not sure the wobble comes from getting in and out of the car. The wobble that the pin fixes, or lessens, is from the upper right to the lower left. If using the wheel to get out, you would grab the upper left side of it. So, I think this wobble just happens due to normal wear of a part engineered incorrectly. Just a thought.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Tom,

According to Marc, "the tilt mechanism had about 3/8" movement to the lower left when the car was new".

That is about what I have now after the pin repair. If you never noticed, you are good to go. It annoyed me with the movement and my wheel was moving just about 3/4".

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thank you John and Craig. I am glad to report that I just tested it and I see no reason to take it apart.

However now I am suffering from anxiety as I tested it prior to bringing Her to the body shop to get the bumper replaced. I guess this is "separation anxiety"? If it is, I do not like it at all!:cry::(

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Great news and good to hear you don't use your wheel to support your weight in/out.

Missed the news about the bumper replacement and sorry to hear that.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Yea, some one hit my rear & cracked the bumper cover. In the General section there is a thread about it. It happened last May I think. Brett was nice to me and sold me a bumper he had from a 91 that he had bought as a project car I think? I fixed most of the damage myself and you could hardly see the cracks unless you had your nose on top of them. It's just been one long argument between me and GEICO about parts availability. They subscribe to a parts data base and it has inaccurate info about what you can still buy for a ZR-1. The good thing is that the body shop said I can have my OE bumper! So I will play with it and see if I can fix it. All I figure to shoot for is close the cracks from the backside and stop them from traveling (if urethane dose that?) and have no paint work involved and if it works I'll put it back on my car. :)

I just hate to have any "outsiders" touch my car. It causes me anxiety and makes me think I should just go buy a C5 or something like that. :cry:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

My 90 does not have the plastic covers to remove and gain access to the pin. Does anyone's 90 MY have these covers? Is it 91-95 MY only?
Thanks,
Jim

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

Hello Jim,

My car is a 90 MY and there are two pieces that cover that area. One is shown in the photo and there is another curved cover piece too that is not shown in the photo. You mean to say that your car is all open and bare in that area shown?

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Sorry to hear about this Tom and I can't imagine having to deal with this and often wondered what happens if you get hit in the back with the limited availability of parts and dealing with insurance companies. Hopefully insurance does not sky rocket when they know that some of the parts are high or NLA. I almost don't want to drive mine here since I can even get any collision insurance at all since the car is too old.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Thanks Hawaii. I just checked and mine does have the 2 plastic covers. I had both pins and the tilt hub replaced about 3 years ago and so I had to completly disassemble the column at the time. Did not remember those pieces, but they are there.
Thanks.

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

That's is very nice of you Craig.
So tell us what Marc thinks of the Stage I cams.LOL

Pete

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Great news; I figured so as you would have seen that big hole there.:cheers:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pin
 

I have never asked him, but I remember seeing on one of his presentations that he does not recommend them for 350 motors. Aaron Scott on the other hand stated he designed them for 350 motors. I'm just waiting to either pass or fail emissions for good so I can put the headers/xpipe/mufflers on and dyno this baby to see what kind of numbers it puts down..............

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Craig,

This is great news, I have to fix my charcoal 90 and was looking at going the domesticmisfits route. Do you remember what Marc calls or has numbered this part?

Thanks for the help. Hope things are improving in Japan.

John :cheers:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Hi John,

You'll have to call him to order or you can email him if he has your credit card on file. He just called it tilt column pin or something like that and no part number or reference on his site.

You're welcome and thanks for your concern. I'm fortunate to not be affected by the tragic events, but they still have a lot of issue with the power plant and I'm sure more to follow from that.

Craig:handshak:

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

so is this the solution for the tilt lock that slips when pulling on the steering wheel? :cheers:

Mike

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

Hello Mike,

I am not expert at this, but your probem sounds different. I would imagine the tilt mechanism slipping when locked maybe be something else worn at that selected position. Does it slip if you lock it in another position than the usual? Mine never did slip from the desired position and remained locked. It would just shake or wobble where it was locked. Not there slight movement but at least less than half it was and sounds like maybe a little more than when new according to Marc.

I hope someone else chimes in or you can find some info seaching for GM tilt problems since they all seem to be the same. Best wishes.

Craig

Re: Wobbly tilt steering column repair w/Marc H pins
 

no it actually slips a gear position when you pull down hard. it is fine under normal situations.

:cry: