Steering wheel gap too large

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rallybug
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Steering wheel gap too large

Post by rallybug » Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:38 am

I took my steering wheel off to try and get to the electrical part of the ignition switch, but when I put it back together, I can't seem to close the gap properly to the housing - any ideas what I've done wrong?
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Harvee the Wonder Bus - a 1979 CA-spec 7-seater bus

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Amskeptic
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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Apr 15, 2018 8:57 am

rallybug wrote:
Tue Apr 10, 2018 10:38 am
I took my steering wheel off to try and get to the electrical part of the ignition switch, but when I put it back together, I can't seem to close the gap properly to the housing - any ideas what I've done wrong?

IMG_0609.JPG
Am I already five days too late to this query?

The steering wheel is at an "elevation" that is solely dependent upon the steering box/frame.

The column/steering lock housing actually has a little up-n-down slide room when the clamp bolt is loosened.
The clamp bolt is a tamperproof smooth bolt head located on the left side of the column/steering lock housing. I slam a torx head into the round hole atop the bolt and turn it into an "allen head" bolt that you can loosen. Then pull up on the steering lock housing (carefully, there is cheap plastic all about) until you have a 2mm gap and tighten the bolt here.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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rallybug
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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by rallybug » Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:44 pm

I tried that, including removing the 13mm bolts holding the steering column to the dash (as well as the pinch bolt) - the steering column would go down, but wouldn't come back up any higher.
Harvee the Wonder Bus - a 1979 CA-spec 7-seater bus

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Amskeptic
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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by Amskeptic » Thu May 03, 2018 4:59 am

rallybug wrote:
Mon Apr 30, 2018 2:44 pm
I tried that, including removing the 13mm bolts holding the steering column to the dash (as well as the pinch bolt) - the steering column would go down, but wouldn't come back up any higher.
Dang. Then we have to figure out why the steering shaft/coupler is too high. Has this car been hit?
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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rallybug
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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by rallybug » Thu May 03, 2018 10:59 pm

Nope, and it was fine before I tried to remove the ignition switch a couple weeks ago, so something I’ve done...
Harvee the Wonder Bus - a 1979 CA-spec 7-seater bus

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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by Jivermo » Fri May 04, 2018 6:26 am

Dang! Those "Something I've done" deals are always a bummer! I guess we've all been there. Good luck.

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Amskeptic
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Re: Steering wheel gap too large

Post by Amskeptic » Sun May 06, 2018 8:16 am

rallybug wrote:
Thu May 03, 2018 10:59 pm
Nope, and it was fine before I tried to remove the ignition switch a couple weeks ago, so something I’ve done...
Well then, let's re-do the entire assembly process with an eye on the column support /steering lock.

a) Does the steering lock currently work correctly?

b) Did you have the key in during disassembly/reassembly (the lock plunger may "index" the support to the steering shaft at its chosen elevation)?

c) Was the clamp bolt fully removed or only loosened (it may be outside of its "memorized" location which is dented by the force of the turning screw)? You may need to remove it, pull up smartly on the housing, re-tighten screw whilst pulling up.

ColinWeWILLFixTheThing
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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