Hi all. My steering column is wobbly/loose. See <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/martin.edelius/BuickGS1972/photo#5044648988829168370">this video</a> for some visual assistance. As you (hopefully) can see I can wiggle the steering column back and forth quite a bit w/o the wheels moving at all. Can I just tighten some bolts or do I need to replace the steering box? TIA.
if the loose condition exists in the steering box, here is what u do. there is an adjustment screw that is secured in place by a nut, on top of the steering box that is used to tighten the gears. u need an open end wrench to loosen/tighten the securing nut and an allen wrench to turn the screw, in, to tighten the gear. if that does not reduce the movement, then u need new steering box.
You might want to look at the center link too. If it is worn you can have excessive play in the steering wheel.
my suggestion works only if the pitman arm does not move as u move the steering wheel back & forth. anthony's suggestion works when the pitman arm move with each steering wheel movement. i would guess that u only need to tighten the gears. i had to adjust a little.
Although it's not visible in the movie I have my hand just outside the picture to the right, wiggling the steering coulmn directly (not using the steering wheel) so the problem is most likely in the box.