Please HELP with C3 Ignition key cylinder removal.

[William V.]

Is there a good source for instructions to remove the steering column ignition key lock cylinder on a 76 with tilt wheel. The joint at the tilt wheel is extremely loose, swings side to side as well as up and down. I suspect something is loose or broken but I cannot tell until the key cylinder is removed allowing column disassembly.

Thanks Bill

[Jack H.]

Re: Please HELP with C3 Ignition key cylinder remo

Common problem sometimes refered to as the 'fat American' syndrome... The tilt column has a pot metal housing that pivots on two steel bearings. Prior owners often used the steering wheel to HOIST their bodies up & out of the car. With prolonged stress like this, the pot metal housing strains and the holes surrounding the pivot pins enlongate (egg-shape) causing 'slop'...

Typically, the telltale is max 'slop' lies in the 4:00 to 10:00 direction which IS the direction one would force the steering wheel when exiting the car! The 'fix' is to tear down the column and replace the upper housing OR have a machinest overbore the distorted bearing holes and hand-fab a set of steel bushings to remove the wear.

For step by step on how to disassemble this/that, I strongly suggest you spend $$$ to build a support library for 'baby'. An excellent starting point is the 1976 Chassis Service Manual which is what GM published for dealership mechanics (and the general public). It'll give you step-by-step advice on doing the various R&R (remove and replace) tasks that lie ahead of you.

PS, expect to buy, rent, or borrow some special tools to help you accomplish the steering column overhaul....