Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
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Car: 1990 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
Well, foolishly I thought I'd be able to sort this out myself and made rather a large mess of my column. I'm now in need of a new one but haven't the slightest where to start. I just got off the phone with hawks and they said that while they have columns they can't guarantee that the one they send me won't have the same problem. I've searched and searched for an aftermarket new column but so far have been unsuccessful. So, how has everyone else who has a 90-92 with an air bag and tilt sorted this problem out?
#2
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Car: 87 IROC
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 4.10 D44
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
Um. What's the "infamous seven o'clock column" problem?
If it is the steering wheel not centered, that can be addressed at the tie rods.
If it is the steering wheel not centered, that can be addressed at the tie rods.
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Car: 1990 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
It's when you put pressure on the wheel that the column shifts to the seven o'clock position
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Car: 87 IROC
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Axle/Gears: 4.10 D44
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
I assume the steering column is tightly mounted to the dash and firewall. By process of elimination, that means the problem is the steering shaft is loose / not properly supported in the column housing.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
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Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
It's funny that you mention that. I haven't done any research on it because it never really bothered me, but I have the same problem. I didn't know that it was a common occurrence.
#6
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Car: 1990 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
It's my understanding that it happens to all 90-92 f body cars. Something to do with how the redesigned the tilt to work with the new airbags.
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Car: 91 rs,1 92 rs,92 b4c/1le
Engine: 5.0tbi,5.7 tune port/5.0tpi
Transmission: 5spdx2 and t56
Axle/Gears: 3.08,3.73,3.42
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
I just got the parts to fix my b4c what happens is the piviot pin holes wear and allow the column to move
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Car: 91 rs,1 92 rs,92 b4c/1le
Engine: 5.0tbi,5.7 tune port/5.0tpi
Transmission: 5spdx2 and t56
Axle/Gears: 3.08,3.73,3.42
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
the gm part number for the tilt housing is 26017468 its still a good part number mine should up
#10
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
I just checked mine and it does this too, but it's not just to the 7 it's anyway down. It is because of the way the pins and the hooks are made for the tilt. I have recently taken apart one of these columns repeatedly for another reason. Any tilt column is going to do that.
Also I think the spring that pushes the column is not at the 12 o clock position and why it shifts to the 7 more naturally than to the 4 o clock
Also I think the spring that pushes the column is not at the 12 o clock position and why it shifts to the 7 more naturally than to the 4 o clock
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Car: 91 rs,1 92 rs,92 b4c/1le
Engine: 5.0tbi,5.7 tune port/5.0tpi
Transmission: 5spdx2 and t56
Axle/Gears: 3.08,3.73,3.42
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
i would disargee i have 3 camaros and a column out of a forth and all are worn the same at the pivot pins i got lucky on the first two and found used columns but still disassembled the old ones and sure enough the pivot pins will almost fall out of the hole when i take the one apart from my b4c i will take pictures and clearly show the holes are ovaled out.
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Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
i would disargee i have 3 camaros and a column out of a forth and all are worn the same at the pivot pins i got lucky on the first two and found used columns but still disassembled the old ones and sure enough the pivot pins will almost fall out of the hole when i take the one apart from my b4c i will take pictures and clearly show the holes are ovaled out.
Last edited by scooter; 02-13-2014 at 07:07 PM.
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Car: 1990 RS
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73 9 bolt
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
Is this what you were trying to do? Tilt column fix?
#15
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Car: 91 Formula
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Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
Pin wear also results from people pulling themselves in & out of the car by the steering wheel.
#16
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Car: 91 rs,1 92 rs,92 b4c/1le
Engine: 5.0tbi,5.7 tune port/5.0tpi
Transmission: 5spdx2 and t56
Axle/Gears: 3.08,3.73,3.42
Re: Time to sort out the infamous seven o'clock column
will have pics up soon,when i took the column apart i could pull the pins out by hand and on the new housing i really had to hammer them in i have built alot of columns in my life as a tech for 15 years and these by far were the tightest fit as i said before if you have a 90-92 column that will pull down by the housing and it will fix the issue its expensive but works
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