Steering column is becoming loose on 1997 Buick Lesabre. I would like detailed instructions on removing the air bag module and steering wheel enouhg to get to where it needs to be tightened.

Hi, odds are your clockspring has broken. You'll have to remove the steering wheel to access the clockspring, which will require the use of a steering wheel puller. I have pasted procedures below from autozone.com. After removing the airbag and before removing the steering wheel, you can verify that the clockspring has failed, if desired, by testing the continuity of the wires from the airbag to the bottom of the steering column. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for using FixYa.
Removal & Installation CAUTION The Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system must be disarmed before removing the steering wheel. Failure to do so may cause accidental deployment of the air bag, resulting in unnecessary SIR system repairs and/or personal injury.

1. Make sure the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
2. Turn the ignition key cylinder to the LOCK position and remove the key. Turn the steering wheel a half turn toward the left until the steering column becomes locked in position.
3. Remove the 3 bolts attaching the air bag module to the steering wheel. Remove the air bag module.

CAUTION Disconnect and isolate the negative (ground) battery cable. Allow the system capacitor to discharge for at least 2 minutes before continuing with the removal procedure. This will disable the air bag system.

Fig. The airbag is attached to the steering wheel by three fasteners


Fig. After the airbag is unbolted from the steering wheel . . .


Fig. . . . reach behind and unplug the electrical connections

4. Disconnect the wiring connectors from the air bag module, horn switch and speed control switches.
5. Remove the routing clip for the wiring harness from the air bag module studs.
6. Remove the steering wheel mounting nut from the steering column shaft and remove the steering wheel damper from the steering wheel.

Fig. Always hold the airbag away from your body when transporting it to a storage area


Fig. With the airbag removed, the steering wheel retaining nut can be removed


Fig. After the nut is removed, set aside the damper plate . . .


Fig. . . . and use a paint marker to matchmark the steering wheel shaft with the wheel

7. Using a steering wheel puller tool, remove the steering wheel from the steering column shaft. Do not thread the steering wheel puller tool bolts into the steering wheel more than a 1/2 in. or damage to the SRS clockspring will result. Do not hammer or bump the steering column or shaft when removing the steering wheel
8. Remove and replace the clockspring.


Fig. A steering wheel puller must be used to remove the wheel from the shaft


Fig. Once the wheel is free of the shaft, carefully route the wires through the wheel

To install:
1. Before installing the steering wheel, the clockspring must be centered . Center the clockspring as follows:
a. Disengage the lock mechanism by depressing the 2 plastic locking pins.
b. Turn the clockspring rotor clockwise until it stops, while the lock mechanism is disengaged. Do not use excessive force.
c. From the end of the clockwise travel, turn the clockspring rotor counter-clockwise. The clockspring wires should be at the top. Engage the clockspring locking pins.
d. Turn the clockspring a 1/2 additional rotation counter-clockwise from the center locked position. This should put the clockspring wiring at the bottom.
e. The clockspring is now correctly positioned for installation of the steering wheel.

2. Install the steering wheel onto the steering column shaft. Make sure the master splines of the steering wheel and steering shaft are in correct alignment. Be sure the flats on the steering wheel align with the formations on the clockspring. All wiring leads from the clockspring must be routed correctly.
3. Install the steering wheel damper onto the steering wheel in its original position.
4.Install the steering wheel-to-steering shaft retaining nut. Torque the retaining nut to 45 ft. lbs. (61 Nm).
5. Reconnect the horn switch wiring lead from the clockspring, onto the steering wheel horn switch wiring.
6. If equipped with speed control, reconnect the speed control wiring from the clockspring onto the speed control switch.
7. Install the wiring lead from the clockspring onto the air bag module. Make the wiring connection onto the air bag module, by pressing straight in on the connector. Be sure it is fully seated.
8. Install the air bag module to the steering wheel and then install the 3 air bag module attaching nuts. Torque all 3 air bag module attaching nuts to 100 inch lbs. (11 Nm).
9. When reconnecting the battery on a vehicle that has had the air bag removed, the following procedure should be used:
a. Connect the DRB or equivalent scan tool, to the ASDM diagnostic 6-way connector.
b. Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Exit the vehicle with the DRB, and install the latest version of the proper diagnostic cartridge into the DRB.
c. Make sure there are no occupants in the vehicle and reconnect the negative battery cable.
d. Using the DRB, read and record active or stored fault codes. Take appropriate actions to correct any faults.
e. Erase stored fault codes. If problems remain, fault codes will not erase.
f. From the passenger side of the vehicle, turn the ignition key to OFF and then ON , observing the instrument cluster air bag lamp. It should go ON for 6-8 seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the air bag system is functioning normally.

WARNING If the air bag warning lamp fails to light, blinks ON and OFF or goes ON and stays ON, there is an air bag system malfunction.

g. Test the operation of any steering column functions such as the horn, lights or speed control system.
h. Road test vehicle. Be sure the speed control and steering systems are functioning properly

I would check the horn to see if it gets power with a testlight, and try to ground out one of the leads to see if it sounds. It should have power at all times and the button on the steering wheel controls the ground. That can be a source of the problem as well, the button on the steering wheel may not be grounding out the wire to the horn.

Can also take apart the steering wheel until you get down to the horn switch contact and try to ground it out with a screwdriver or test light to see if sounds the horn.

May have to remove the air bag first, though.

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The following talks about the steering wheel disassembly:

Steering Wheel Removal & Installation Except Models With Air Bag To Remove:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Center the steering wheel so that the front wheels are straight.
3. If equipped, remove the horn cap from the center of the steering wheel. NOTE: If the horn cap or shroud is equipped with an electrical connector it must be unplugged in order to remove the cap/shroud from the steering column.
   Exploded view of a steering wheel mounting
   
   Steering wheel alignment and installation
   
   
4. Remove the steering wheel-to-steering shaft retainer clip (snapring), then loosen and remove the nut. NOTE: Since the steering column is designed to collapse upon impact, NEVER hammer on it!
   
5. Matchmark the relationship of the steering wheel to the steering shaft. Some models may already be equipped with one or more alignment marks. If not, make your own using a permanent marker.
6. Using a suitable steering wheel puller, such as No. J-1859-03 or equivalent, carefully draw the wheel from the steering column.

To Install:
NOTE: Before installing the steering wheel, be sure that the turn signal switch is in the Neutral position. DO NOT mis-align the steering wheel more than 0.8 in. (20mm) from the horizontal centerline.

1. Align the match marks and carefully fit the wheel onto the steering shaft splines.
2. Install the retaining nut and tighten to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
3. If equipped, install the horn pad.
4. Connect the negative battery cable. Remove the horn pad
   
   Unplug the horn wire
   
   Loosen and remove the wheel retaining nut
   
   Use a suitable threaded puller to loosen the steering wheel from the shaft
   
   Remove the steering wheel
   
   Matchmark the relationship of the steering wheel to the steering shaft
   
   

Models With Air Bag To Remove:
CAUTION
These models are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SRS components, such as the impact sensors, the air bag module, steering column and instrument panel, disable the SRS, as described in Section 6.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disable the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint System (SIR). Refer to Section 6 of this manual for this procedure.
3. Position the steering wheel so that it is in the horizontal position and the front wheel are straight.
4. Remove the air bag system inflator module as follows:
   • Make sure the air bag system is disabled and the negative battery disconnected.
   • Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees, this will enable you to gain access to the rear shroud holes-to-inflator module.
   • Insert a prytool and push the leaf spring to release the pin.
   • Turn the steering wheel 180 degrees to access the remaining shroud holes, then repeat the procedure to release the pin using the prytool.
   • Tilt the inflator module rearward from the top to access the module electrical wiring, then disengage the wiring from the module and the steering wheel.
   • Unplug the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and retainer from the module.
5. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut and the horn plunger contact. NOTE: Since the steering column is designed to collapse upon impact, NEVER hammer on it!
   
6. Matchmark the relationship of the steering wheel to the steering shaft. Some models may already be equipped with one or more alignment marks. If not, make your own using a permanent marker.
7. Using a suitable steering wheel puller, such as No. J-1859-03 or equivalent, carefully draw the wheel from the steering column.

To Install:

1. Align the match marks and carefully fit the wheel onto the steering shaft.
2. Install the retaining nut and tighten to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
3. Install the inflator module as follows:
   • Attach the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and retainer to the module.
   • Attach the inflator module wiring to the steering wheel and to the module.
   • Install the inflator module by pressing it into the steering wheel enough to engage and latch all four notched pins in the leaf spring. Make sure the wires are not pinched.
4. Connect the negative battery cable.
5. Enable the air bag system. Refer to Chasis Electrical.

If it's like my 1990 Cadillac Deville, the steering wheel along with the air bag will have to be removed to gain access to at least 2 of 4 bolts that hold the steering column tight.

A technician can tighten 2 of the 4 bolts in order to make the steering column as tight as it should be. It's not necessary or possible to reach all 4, believe it or not.

That's the way GM steering columns are, I guess.

Ignition Switch Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Disarm air bag system.
3. Remove driver air bag module.
4. Loosen screw and lift horn pad to remove.
5. Remove lock nut and washer. CAUTION
   Do not hammer on steering wheel. Damage can occur to the energy absorbing portion of the steering column.
   
6. Pull dynamic damper forward and lift up to remove.
7. Remove steering wheel.
8. Remove steering column shrouds.
9. Remove lower cover.
10. Remove multifunction switch.
11. Remove entire lower portion of dash.
12. Remove mounting fasteners and lower steering column.
13. Remove bolts and separate ignition switch from steering column.

To Install:

1. Install ignition switch to steering column and install bolts.
2. Raise steering column and install mounting fasteners.
3. Install lower portion of dash.
4. Install multifunction switch.
5. Install lower cover.
6. Install steering column shrouds.
7. Install steering wheel.
8. Install dynamic damper.
9. Install washer and lock nut.
10. Lift horn pad and install screw.
11. Install driver air bag module.
12. Connect battery negative cable.

it is illegal to remove an airbag unless you have permission from transport canada to have it disabled.

i dont think their is an adjustment under the sterring wheel. ive had mine apart to do a clockspring. the only nut under the air bag is to hold the steering wheel itself on the column, not to tighten the column itself. try looking under the dash for some studs and nuts holding the whole column itself. that should fix your problem. i dont recommend pulling the airbag and steering wheel for any reason. its very comlpicated under their and all the parts are expensive!

probably the clock spring uner the steering wheel. It transfers voltage from the steering column to the steering wheel.

Section 11-04: Steering Column 1997 Villager Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Sliding Contact, Air Bag Removal

1. WARNING: THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY MUST BE DEPLETED BEFORE ANY AIR BAG COMPONENT SERVICE IS PERFORMED. TO DEPLETE THE BACKUP POWER SUPPLY ENERGY, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY GROUND CABLE (14301) AND WAIT TEN MINUTES.
   Remove the steering wheel (3600). Refer to the procedure in this section.
   

1. Match mark and tape in place the inner and outer elements of the air bag sliding contact.
   

1. Remove the two steering column shroud screws and the lower steering column shroud (3530).
   

1. Loosen the shifter boot and position the upper steering column shroud out of the way.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the three air bag sliding contact screws.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Disconnect the two lower air bag sliding contact electrical connectors.
   

1. Remove the air bag sliding contact from the vehicle.
   

Best thing to do, honestly, is to purchase a chilton's or haynes manual when you are working around the air bags. Better safe than sorry.

There are 3 bolts inside that have backed out, this is a tough job. You have to have special tools to complete this job. You have to pull the pins on the side after disassembling to access the bolts.

steering wheel must be removed, besure to disconnect air bag connector at base of column, will need some special tools to remove the lockplate and c-clip