LMM: loose steering in dash area

[warpspeed]

my steering wheel shaft has a inch of slop before the first universal joint.... the shaft is inside a tube in the dash so I really can't see anything. also the steering lock is broke... would that have anything to do with it? why is it sloppy?

 

[chevyburnout1]

Is this looking under the dash by the pedals? If so you may need a lower column bearing. Pretty straight forward to replace however I have never done one on an LMM. And our steering columns have never locked.

 

[warpspeed]

well its between the wheel & the pedals....before the universal joint.

 

[warpspeed]

ok the looseness is where the steering column tilts...of course I can't see anything in there & don't want to tear it apart w/out knowing what im getting into....anybody have any idea whats in there & what sorta fix it needs?

 

[warpspeed]

Took the truck into the dealer to find out what was wrong, they tried to tell me it needed all new ball joints--- $2600!!!!!!!!!!!!! heck no.

The Idler arm bracket bolts were loose & the idler arm was slopping around--the tech didn't see that.....for a $75 inspection you'd think theyd check more than ball joints.


Soooo I finally got around to looking into this steering column more & theres a joint in the steering shaft where the column tilts that is not serviceable like the '90's trucks. You have to buy a whole new column, which comes with new shift lever & turn signal lever.....book says 1.2hrs to swap out...

Part number is 15775845 .

CHECK EBAY!!! I got a new one for $380 shipped, dealer wanted $750.


1/3 loose idler arm bracket, 1/3 sloppy ball joints, 1/3 seering shaft has very substantial slop= loose steering


_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ever need Gm parts and your stealership is a ass to deal with?
GO here:
http://parts.nalleygmc.com/productSearch.aspx

find the part numbers you need
google them
ebay search them

& buy the cheapest you find.....theres ALOT of surplus parts out there selling @ discount.

another tip---if the item is on ebay, typically if you call the seller, & buy over the phone with the credit card, they will cut you a discount because ebay/paypal fees rape them.

 

[warpspeed]

Ok now im ticked....theres set screws on the steering shaft where it tilts, tightened them & it fixed the slop! Just pull the top cover off ur column to get to them.