Removal of steering colum on 88 chevy suburban. Loose tilt wheel?

The bolts inside steering column came lose , common problem ! Loose Tilt Steering Repair 1991 GMC Suburban

If the loose motion is coming from the tilt part, there are three bolts inside the column that need to be tightened up.
Someone would need to remove the steering wheel to access the bolts.

General Motor cars will have this problem if you use the steering wheel as leverage to get in and out of the front seat. They use a ratcheting ball and socket to allow the column to tilt. it is held together with 4 screws, like a box. These screws work loose and allow the wheel to feel like it floats. It is a hard job, the steering column has to be almost removed from the car to fix. Removing the steering wheel and all covers down to the floor board / firewall area. The screws that hold the joint together have to be re-tightened and loctite or glued in place. You can find info with pictures here (the instructions are for a Chevy Blazer but the steps are the same) http://www.superchevy.com/tech/sucp_0707_tilt_steering_column/index.html Maybe a job better suited for a dealer or local shop.

You will have to remove the lock plate and the turn signal plastic assembly, from inside the column housing, in order to access and tighten up the three hex screws that have come loose, allowing the tilt column to move side to side. I have done this numerous times, in the mid 90's, when the 80's GM tilt columns started to come loose with age. The hardest part is getting that lock plate off, and replacing it, if you don't have a lock plate puller, so make sure you have one or else get one, as it will save you lots of time and fustration. Good luck.

Do you have a tilt steering colum if so you have to pull the stearing wheel .remove the turn signal assembly ( all this requires some specialty tools Like a wheel puller stearing coloum tool to depress the steering wheel lock ) if your not equiped call a mechanic and save some time.

There are 3 tilt colum screws deep inside the colum, it's common for them to come loose and eventually cause wiring problems. special tools are required to thighten the torx head screws.

Used colums for that year are cheap however.

Kiwi

hopefully that does not have tilt steering which makes the job somewhat more difficult. the same thing happened with a van i owned. there are small arms inside the steering column that move with the key to move the ignition switch.
to confirm it is broken locate the ignition switch on the column. remove it then turn the key. if the piece that normally moves that switch doesn't... than it is broken.

first unhook the battery.

about the only way to get at it is to remove the steering wheel. there are more parts behind that that have to be removed. then you will get to what is basically and end cap. remove that and slide out the parts and install the new arm(s) mine was a 2 piece.

basically you just need to bolt it back up and reinstall the key cylinder and you are good to go. hook up the battery again and you should have a working vehicle.
the tilt springs can be held together with a c clamp. it is tricky but you will see as you attempt it.

no ,you pull the steering wheel,but its a lot eaiser too go too the junk yard and get a hole other colum and replace the one you got than repairing it

Remove horn pad . After removing the large nut SCRIBE A LINE ON THE CENTER SHAFT and the STEERING WHEEL, Using a steering wheel puller, remove steering wheel. Now comes the tricky part. Remove signal stalk ( just pull out a couple of inches ),and 4-way flasher knob. Disconnect multiple connector of signal switch. Remove 3 screws holing switch down. Gently pull upward on switch to expose lower steering bowl. The large bolts are LOOSE that secure it, so the reason for the wobble. Tighten bolts, and reverse procedure.