roy21 said:
Hi. I can't get the column to move and it needs to go down because the wheel binds on the column. I bench 230 and weigh 245 but I can't budge it. Any ideas? I thought about pulling the wheel, and hitting the column with a hammer and a wood block. Is this the best appoach or should I eat a bunch of Wheaties and try again?
roy
1. Go out an look in the engine compartment. If the column is all the way down it will be tight against the steering box (which it most likely is since you can get it down anymore)...if the shaft isn't bottomed out on the box, pull the carpet back and inspect where it goes through the firewall....your rubber grommet may have been painted to the column not allowing the unit to slide through it and you are effectively trying to push the whole grommet through the firewall. If this is the case, pull the shaft up (and maybe even out) and free the grommet so it will slide on the column and then re-install.
Here is a visual of the column out:
Here is an image of the column installed on the shft (not the best angel to show it slipped all the way down though
grommet is on the right, notice the flanged lip on the column, that slides over the very bottom on the steering box, almost clicks in...you may be slightly off center and just need to fanagle that in place to get another 1/4 of an inch lower on the column.
If you look close here you can see how it has a little 'step' at the VERY bottom of the shaft, if you are slightly off you may be hung on this and it might give you the little extra movement down you need
2. Are you installing the little centering shim and spring behind the wheel?
3. Is this an after market replacement wheel? Are you installing the correct spacer? I know with grants they have 2 spacers...one short and one long.
