Need Help w/ Steering Column

[TQJ CJ5]

I've got some great instructions off the web and have dug into the column in order to tighten the 4 tilt assembly reverse torx bolts that commonly get loose on GM/Chevy steering tilt columns. However, I'm stuck and it's starting to drive me nuts.

I'm trying to pull the upper column housing off so I can access more of the internal assembly. However, I can only seem to slide the housing up about 1/2" before it gets caught on something in the area of the "sector".

Not sure if anyone else has done this type of repair but if ya know of any tricks to slide the housing off, it would be greatly appreciated. Pics below show where I am in the process.

Thank you in advance.

Terry

 

[TreeClimber]

Don't remember the exact procedure, but I've done it myself, and I thought I had to pull the lock cylinder out. Might try that next

Also, there's a special tool to pull the pivot pins out. If you need that tool, I've got one in Port Orchard. It's a PITA to pull them without it.

 

[TQJ CJ5]

Sorry I forgot to mention that the lock cylinder has been pulled. The distance I can pull the housing seems to correlate to the position of the ignition switch actuator shaft (lock cylinder slides onto this and it rotates the sector). I used a small pair of pliers to rotate it in order to see if I could shimmy the housing off (no luck of course).

For the pivot pins, I picked up some 8/32 machine screws, washers and nuts which once assembled with the use of a socket, should allow me to extract the pins.

 

[TreeClimber]

Dude...

I'm wondering if it isn't as simple as just re-adjusting the tilt, so that the column is straight, then try again. Because you look like it should just come right off. It looks like that you're tilted up one click or so, by the photo

And I tried the machine screw trick, and broke the machine screw off inside the pivot pin. That's why I bought the correct tool

 

[TQJ CJ5]

I tried multiple tilt positions including straight but no dice. Just spoke with a column rebuilder who suggested that I check the pin that is moved by the sector. He said that if it's seized up, it could keep me from being able to pull the housing off.

Nonetheless, thank you TreeClimber for your input

 

[TQJ CJ5]

I finally got the housing off. Took a little bit more manhandling than I would have liked but it's off. Now I need to find a replacement sector spring and should probably replace the sector itself as it got chewed up pretty good in the process. Found out that the rod that extends/retracts into the lock plate was all seized up. It was keeping the housing from sliding off.