I took it for a test drive and it runs good, nothing weird sounding and transmission isn't slipping. The only thing I'm unsure about is the steering wheel shaft. It's adjustable up and down with a little handle on the left of the wheel, once putting the wheel where you want it, it stays in that spot, but you can still move the whole wheel shaft around 1-3 inches of play up down left and right. That feels very wrong to me. I asked the owner about it while she was next to me and she said that's normal because "It's adjustable" and reached over to show me the adjust handle. I understand it's adjustable but shouldn't it lock in place and have no give? Something feels broke!

 

Welcome to the club.
Is it movable in all positions selected, or just one?
If one, this position may be worn.
You can always swap out column.

 

This is not normal in any way. The adjustable and non-adjustable column should feel the same when driving and everything is locked down.

I rebuild a lot of these columns over the years. But based on your description there could be several different and common issues that are adding up to your problem. The telescoping brake could have could be shot. The pivot hinges could be worn out and the 4 bolts that hold the upper and lower parts of the column could have come loose. Repairs will be costly unless you do the work yourself and here in PA it could fail the yearly safety inspection with 3” of play, Or I could say in should fail safety inspection for that.



GL

 

Thanks guys both of you for the replies. Hey Horn I think it's probably like half inch to 1 inch of wobble left right and up. I've had more time with it cause it's mine now. How costly do you think it will be? The turning signals work but only if I manually up & down the signal stick. So that's another thing that needs done. can I do a pick and pull for an entire column from an 88 Iroc?