Netters, here's lengthy discussion of how I fixed an annoying problem in
my GMC.
A few month's back I posted a question about whether anyone had
successfully disassembled the steering column and overhauled it to cure
knocks, squeaks, and rattles like the ones I was having in my
Transmode. Not many folks had had much experience in that department,
judging by the responses I received. And after reading the service
manual several times, I decided the job took special tools and know how
and was beyond my capabilities. So I decided to seek professional help.
After calling or corresponding with a few of the usual GMC service
facilities, I spoke with Ivan and Steve at Cinnabar. They explained
that they had rebuilt several columns in the past, and if I would ship
it to them they would check it out.
I removed the steering wheel from the column and then unbolted and
extracted the column from the Transmode according to the instructions in
the service manual. That went easy enough, taking about an hour. I next
built a plywood crate with padding and blocks to cradle the column for
shipping. I added very firm foam to one end to help cushion and protect
the column's collapsing mechanism as warned about in the manual.
UPS handled the shipping to Sandusky for about $14. Within in a week
the column was received at Cinnabar's and repaired. By the following
Friday I had it back in Tennessee.
Steve called me and told what he had done. Stock parts that were
replaced included a new "sphere kit", PN 7808505 and "switch assembly,
buzzer" PN 26022717. The sphere kit, as best as I can tell from the old
parts that were returned, consists of two plastic saddle like structures
that somehow hold parts of the steering wheel tilt joint. The old parts
were discolored and worn looking. The buzzer switch is a small metal
spring device that closes when the key is inserted in the ignition
switch, completing the electrical circuit that sets off that annoying
buzzer on the firewall when the door is open. Steve said that the upper
bearing in the column was still good and only needed cleaning and
lubrication. (I had previously replaced the lower column bearing which
is accessible without removing the column or taking it apart.)
Steve also replaced all the deteriorated foam rubber that originally
surrounds the concentric tubes making up the steering column assembly.
The foam mainly keeps the shifter tube from rattling against the outer
tube. Steve said that over the years the OEM foam disintegrates and
falls out as dust, allowing the tubes to knock against each other. As a
final touch, Steve repainted the column assembly so that it looked new.
The cost for this work, labor and parts included, was right at $200.
Shipping added more but that varies of course according to how the
column is shipped.
The results you ask? After re-installing the rebuilt steering column
and OEM steering wheel, I took the GMC on the pot-hole-infested roads of
my neighborhood. No more knocks and rattles. There was at first a
slight squeak from the new foam that was installed and the shifter was a
little stiff feeling. I cured that by squirting a little dry Teflon
spray in a few of the openings in the column.
Am I satisfied with the results? Yes, so much so that I splurged by
ordering one of Jim Bounds' very nice leather wrapped custom steering
wheels as the coupe de grace for this project.
So if you've not got all the noise out of your lady yet (GMC, I mean)
you might want to investigate rebuilding the column. It sure helped in
my case.
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
my GMC.
A few month's back I posted a question about whether anyone had
successfully disassembled the steering column and overhauled it to cure
knocks, squeaks, and rattles like the ones I was having in my
Transmode. Not many folks had had much experience in that department,
judging by the responses I received. And after reading the service
manual several times, I decided the job took special tools and know how
and was beyond my capabilities. So I decided to seek professional help.
After calling or corresponding with a few of the usual GMC service
facilities, I spoke with Ivan and Steve at Cinnabar. They explained
that they had rebuilt several columns in the past, and if I would ship
it to them they would check it out.
I removed the steering wheel from the column and then unbolted and
extracted the column from the Transmode according to the instructions in
the service manual. That went easy enough, taking about an hour. I next
built a plywood crate with padding and blocks to cradle the column for
shipping. I added very firm foam to one end to help cushion and protect
the column's collapsing mechanism as warned about in the manual.
UPS handled the shipping to Sandusky for about $14. Within in a week
the column was received at Cinnabar's and repaired. By the following
Friday I had it back in Tennessee.
Steve called me and told what he had done. Stock parts that were
replaced included a new "sphere kit", PN 7808505 and "switch assembly,
buzzer" PN 26022717. The sphere kit, as best as I can tell from the old
parts that were returned, consists of two plastic saddle like structures
that somehow hold parts of the steering wheel tilt joint. The old parts
were discolored and worn looking. The buzzer switch is a small metal
spring device that closes when the key is inserted in the ignition
switch, completing the electrical circuit that sets off that annoying
buzzer on the firewall when the door is open. Steve said that the upper
bearing in the column was still good and only needed cleaning and
lubrication. (I had previously replaced the lower column bearing which
is accessible without removing the column or taking it apart.)
Steve also replaced all the deteriorated foam rubber that originally
surrounds the concentric tubes making up the steering column assembly.
The foam mainly keeps the shifter tube from rattling against the outer
tube. Steve said that over the years the OEM foam disintegrates and
falls out as dust, allowing the tubes to knock against each other. As a
final touch, Steve repainted the column assembly so that it looked new.
The cost for this work, labor and parts included, was right at $200.
Shipping added more but that varies of course according to how the
column is shipped.
The results you ask? After re-installing the rebuilt steering column
and OEM steering wheel, I took the GMC on the pot-hole-infested roads of
my neighborhood. No more knocks and rattles. There was at first a
slight squeak from the new foam that was installed and the shifter was a
little stiff feeling. I cured that by squirting a little dry Teflon
spray in a few of the openings in the column.
Am I satisfied with the results? Yes, so much so that I splurged by
ordering one of Jim Bounds' very nice leather wrapped custom steering
wheels as the coupe de grace for this project.
So if you've not got all the noise out of your lady yet (GMC, I mean)
you might want to investigate rebuilding the column. It sure helped in
my case.
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
