1984 K10 Steering Column question.

1984 K10 Steering Column question.

Tilt steering column. The tilt works fine. However, I recently noticed the wheel will move right to left and up and down if I try to make that happen.

This could have recently started, or I recently noticed now that I am trying to fix all the little things after 34 years of ownership.

Also, the ignition switch is getting tough to remove the key.

Could these be interrelated?
I watched the video or changing the ignition switch, looks like quite a bit of stuff for me to mess up.
Does the column need to be rebuilt?

Not sure if the difficult key removal is related to the wobbly column.

These four torx headed bolts loosen up over time causing the column to wobble. It’s quit the job breaking the column down this far but, if you remove the wheel, lock plate, and turn signal switch you can get to two of them IIRC. It couldn’t hurt to refurbish the upper portion of the column but do some research and be prepared for a change.


You may try lubricating the lock cylinder with graphite or some other dry lube to get you by.

Cal is right, it's those 4 bolts loosening up. I completely rebuilt my column about a year ago, including all new bearings and any part that was still available for purchase. It started by wanting to tighten up the play in the wheel. If you get far enough into it to tighten those bolts up, make sure you use some Loc Tite to keep them from ever loosening again

Thank you all. I have a new question. After reading and watching the videos, I chickened out and paid to have the bolts fixed.

The mechanic tightened the bolt noted above. He also said the upper section has worn out bearings and the column needed to be replaced.

Can the upper section be rebuilt?

If it can't be rebuilt. Can an automatic column be converted into manual version?

Shawn Wheeler said:

Thank you all. I have a new question. After reading and watching the videos, I chickened out and paid to have the bolts fixed.

The mechanic tightened the bolt noted above. He also said the upper section has worn out bearings and the column needed to be replaced.

Can the upper section be rebuilt?

If it can't be rebuilt. Can an automatic column be converted into manual version?

Click to expand...

Are you implying you have a manual tilt column?

Not sure about the squares, but I have seen a lot of GM cars that had automatic columns used in manuals, I have a 69 Cutlass with one (just pop the shift lever out of it)... you might even be able to put your manual section out of your old column in the auto so you don't have the shift lever part, but that might also be the part of your column that has the bad bearings, I'm not sure. It can be annoying because sometimes you'll inadvertently bump the column shifter part, and either can't shut the key all the way off or won't be able to start it. Then it takes a minute to figure out what's wrong, until you remember you have an auto column and bumped that, and just need to spin it back to park.

Edit: Thinking more this won't work on yours because of how the automatic steering columns lock when it's in park. Not sure how it works on my Cutlass, maybe that column doesn't lock at all.

Shawn Wheeler said:

Thank you all. I have a new question. After reading and watching the videos, I chickened out and paid to have the bolts fixed.

The mechanic tightened the bolt noted above. He also said the upper section has worn out bearings and the column needed to be replaced.

Can the upper section be rebuilt?

If it can't be rebuilt. Can an automatic column be converted into manual version?

Click to expand...

look at part # 32 here. I have done this personally. It's not that hard if you take your time and be easy on the parts. Don't force anything. https://www.lmctruck.com/steering/steering-column-parts/cc-1973-87-steering-components