How do I disassemble a 1990 chevy suburban steering column? Steering wheel is pulled. Truck has tilt wheel. Need to get to the star bolts to tighten up play in wheel.

The bolts inside steering column came lose , common problem ! Loose Tilt Steering Repair 1991 GMC Suburban

Hi, I know the problem well. Had 2 different columns apart recently. What happens is the star bolts holding the lower bearing assembly get loose. You have to take everything off to get to them. First the airbag, if you have one. You have to disarm it first by taking both cables off the battery and touching them together. With the airbag off, take the bolt off the steering wheel and use a puller to get the wheel off. Then the dust cover. With the cover off, you need a lockplate compression tool to push the lockplate down while you remove the locking clip. The lockplate comes off, then the the turn switch canceler, then the turn switch. You have to take the wand and hazard button off to get the switch out. There are then 3 screws holding the upper bearing housing on. First remove the key barrel set screw and remove the barrel. Then remove the 3 screws. Next, you have to pull the ignition switch linkage off the gear opposite the key barrel. The linkage looks like a big key. The housing then comes off and hangs on the turn switch. Make sure you catch the bearings if they are loose. At this point, if you don't have a tilt column, you may be able to see and tighten the star bolts. If you have the tilt column, you will have to take it off. There are pins in each side. An 8/32 screw can be screwed in and pried to pull the pins out. Take the adjusting rod off and the tilt mechanism will come off. The return spring and retainer will also be loose. Now you can tighten the bolts and put everything back together. Now, you're going to want to see some pics to help you. Fortunately, there are a lot of these out there. Here is one, but there are many more: http://www.epiccomputer.com/dale/jeepjunk/tilt/tilt.html . You will want to find one that's like yours--tilt if you have tilt or non-tilt if you don't. Please let me know if you have questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

There is a u-joint inside the steering column if you have tilt wheel. Which I don't think that I have ever seen a steering column get loose if there is not tilt wheel. If there is not tilt wheel then there are two bolts that hold the steering column up against the bottom side of the dash. You will just need to tighten these two bolts. If you do have tilt wheel, then it is going to require taking the steering column out and replacing the u-joint in the steering column.

You will have to remove the lock plate and the turn signal plastic assembly, from inside the column housing, in order to access and tighten up the three hex screws that have come loose, allowing the tilt column to move side to side. I have done this numerous times, in the mid 90's, when the 80's GM tilt columns started to come loose with age. The hardest part is getting that lock plate off, and replacing it, if you don't have a lock plate puller, so make sure you have one or else get one, as it will save you lots of time and fustration. Good luck.

Hi!!
Click on the link to get access to the information you requested, once you uninstall one component, ie. steering wheel, select from the SELECT A CHAPTER menu, on the left of the screen, the next component to uninstall. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?pageId=0900c1528008f5f5
Good Luck!! Don't forget to rate this post!!

there are 3 star bolts for a tilt column. need special tool to remove lock ring on steering lock plate. not easy without it

Unless you have been inside a steering column before I would not recommend the average joe doing this, Either pull the column and take it in to have it done or drive the car in to have it done. Either way it takes some time even for a mechanic to do. That being said if you want to attempt fate and try it yourself start by removing the steering wheel. Next compress the lock plate (with the special lock plate compressing tool!) remove the lock ring then the plate.Remove the horn contact ring. Remove the spring. Next remove the tab that connects the switch to the lever. loosen the lower wire harness, Unscrew turn signal switch screws and pull switch completly out. Take out the ignition switch. Next remove the two pivot pins on each side of the column(using the special pivot pin removing tool). Using the tilt lever rock the upper bowl off and remove it. You should now be able to see the four screws however the shaft may be in your way to tighten them. With 1/4 inch tools you can work arould the shaft and tighten the bolts. If you cant the shaft needs to be pulled out. So you got them tight, now all you have to do is reassemble in reverse order. This will take twice as long trying to get and keep everything aligned. NOTE : The upper bowl has bearings on the top and bottom of it be careful not to loose these.
Sounds rough? It is but it can be done with lots of patience. Seriously i would take it in... it will be far less stressful.Good luck!!

I will assume you really have a G10-20-30 van.(half/ 3/4 or 1 ton full size van)
The fifth digit of your vin should be a G.
Not the 2wheel drive pickup indicated.
That being said, your Gadiator is an aftermarket conversion van with a loose column.
This would have to be a loose tilt bowl on the steering column.
After removing the steering wheel and lock plate, you will find four inverted torx bolts that hold the tilt bowl to the column. Two will be backed way out and loose.Remove these bolts and appy loc tite to the bolt threads, then reassemble.

if you can, pull steering wheel, steering lock wheel(spring compressor needed,from auto parts store,free) pull signal switch (three screws) out far enogh to see tilt mechinizm, there are three black bolts to be tightened, if you wiggle the tilt column you should see them loose, a small socket will fit star shaped bolt heads

Remove horn pad . After removing the large nut SCRIBE A LINE ON THE CENTER SHAFT and the STEERING WHEEL, Using a steering wheel puller, remove steering wheel. Now comes the tricky part. Remove signal stalk ( just pull out a couple of inches ),and 4-way flasher knob. Disconnect multiple connector of signal switch. Remove 3 screws holing switch down. Gently pull upward on switch to expose lower steering bowl. The large bolts are LOOSE that secure it, so the reason for the wobble. Tighten bolts, and reverse procedure.