Keep the Steering Column Up!

[ccurzio]

Does anyone know a way to keep the steering wheel/column from lowering itself with use? I like to keep my steering wheel high enough so I can see the dash lights, but no matter how hard I tighten that damned knob under the dash, the steering wheel inevitably drops back down after driving a while, blocking visibility to the turn signal lights until I lift it back up again.

[Cory W]

How's your bushing? Before I replaced mine, I had the same problem you did, and it virtually went away after the new bushing was in.

If that doesn't work for you, eat more Spinach.

[Jonathan]

I like the spinach idea.....

But seriously though, it could be that one of the gazillion miscellaneous wires that snake all over in and around under the dash might be wedged in that tightening knob or whatever. If something was caught in there, you might be tightening against it, and then only to have it relax or shift a bit, and loosen up the column. Just an idea anyway, easy enough to check.

[Bill Robertson's Sock Puppet #1]

Put a stubby 3/8" bolt through the adjusting slot underneath the steering column mechanism. Threads fit so tight you really don't need a nut on the other side.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I keep mine up for the same reason. Never had a problem with it dropping so maybe your missing a washer or something simple.

[mluder]

Have you tried Viagra or Cialis?
:hippo:

Cheers
Steve

[David T]

Make sure all of the parts are there and assembled in the correct order. Snugged up (not overtightened) it should not drop.
David Teitelbaum

[JIMJAM]

Ive written this off as just one of the many Delorean "the way it is" kinda issues.
I figure if I keep trying to gorilla tighten that knob I will eventually break something and really have something to complain about.

[Lenny]

Have you tried Viagra or Cialis?
:hippo:

Cheers
Steve

I was wondering who would send this reply.

[mluder]

I was wondering who would send this reply.

My pleasure...

Cheers
Steven

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Does anyone know a way to keep the steering wheel/column from lowering itself with use? I like to keep my steering wheel high enough so I can see the dash lights, but no matter how hard I tighten that damned knob under the dash, the steering wheel inevitably drops back down after driving a while, blocking visibility to the turn signal lights until I lift it back up again.

I have the same problem and preference as you.

[Rich]

Make sure all of the parts are there and assembled in the correct order. Snugged up (not overtightened) it should not drop.
David Teitelbaum

+1

Here is how the parts are lined up on a D with no such column-locking problems.

14978 14979 14980

[ramblinmike]

How's your bushing? Before I replaced mine, I had the same problem you did, and it virtually went away after the new bushing was in.

If that doesn't work for you, eat more Spinach.

+1

[Soundkillr]

+1

Here is how the parts are lined up on a D with no such column-locking problems.

14978 14979 14980

Looking at these pics, I would assume (for a quick temp fix) you could adjust it all the way to the top, and slide a smaller bolt below it, into the tracked area with a nut on the other side. This would keep it from sliding down. This would simply close the adjustable area, so it essentially has one setting. Up high.

[Bill Robertson's Sock Puppet #1]

Looking at these pics, I would assume (for a quick temp fix) you could adjust it all the way to the top, and slide a smaller bolt below it, into the tracked area with a nut on the other side. This would keep it from sliding down. This would simply close the adjustable area, so it essentially has one setting. Up high.

See Post #4:


Put a stubby 3/8" bolt through the adjusting slot underneath the steering column mechanism. Threads fit so tight you really don't need a nut on the other side.

[Soundkillr]

Uh ok? Maybe a +1 woulda been better?

[David T]

Most owners have the column up all the way and the steering wheel all the way in. Most common position. That lock not only keeps the column up it also locks it so it won't move in or out. By jamming a screw in the slot to keep the column up you are not locking the column from moving in and out. Get the hardware put together correctly and it will work fine. By overtightening the knob you could strip it.
David Teitelbaum

[Bill Robertson's Sock Puppet #1]

Threading the bolt in (turning it) would probably work better than jamming. Clockwise to install, counter clockwise to remove (right hand threads).

[BTTF-1]

Jesus! I have had the same problem for years.

It's become a real pain in the ass.

It's bad enough everything on me is drooopping without the steering wheel doing the same.
It seems to be a race to see who can touch the ground first.

Ed:rofl::umm::hihi:

[outatym2001]

Does anyone know a way to keep the steering wheel/column from lowering itself with use?

Same exact thing is happening to my Steering Column. It has gotten worse. When I drive slow and turn the wheel into a parking space sometimes the steering column drops a little. Then I have to loosen the knob and raise the column back up and tighten the knob.
It's acting like the friction between the metal parts is no longer there and are now completely smooth thus allowing the column to fall no matter how much the knob is tightened.
When exiting the DeLorean I never ever use the steering wheel as leverage to get out I always use my left fore arm and push down on the body where the inner door seal is.
I seem to remember somebody on the old dmctalk.com forum having this same problem. Or perhaps they had stripped the black painted nut where the knob is inserted to and the knob may have become impossible to tighten.


Make sure all of the parts are there and assembled in the correct order. Snugged up (not overtightened) it should not drop.
David Teitelbaum
Thanks Captain Obvious.


Most owners have the column up all the way and the steering wheel all the way in. Most common position. That lock not only keeps the column up it also locks it so it won't move in or out. By jamming a screw in the slot to keep the column up you are not locking the column from moving in and out. Get the hardware put together correctly and it will work fine. By overtightening the knob you could strip it.
David Teitelbaum
Thanks again Captain Obvious.

I don't have mine all the way up since it's more difficult to reach the wheel all the way up and it looks dorky (tacky, stupid or awkward). And I don't have it all the way down since it makes it more difficult to get in / out. I have it right in the middle so I can reach it and still see the speedometer.


How's your bushing? Before I replaced mine, I had the same problem you did, and it virtually went away after the new bushing was in.
Cory W. you may be onto something there. Someday I'm going to unthread the knob and clean up the thirty one year old grease I found in there and see if I can keep it from working its way loose.

[Spittybug]

Has anyone tried to replace the knob with a lever? I find the hardest thing is just getting a good enough grip to torque that knob enough. A lever would make life so much easier.

[outatym2001]

I removed the steering column to better show that the Roll Pin needs to be almost completely pushed through to remove the Black Plastic Knob with the solid steel shaft attached.
Once the Knob and shaft is removed then you can lower the Steering Column to clean out the 32 year old black grease with something like Brake Clean. Any metal on metal contact surfaces need to be clean and sanded with 60 grit sandpaper and cleaned again.
Once it’s all reassembled then your Steering Wheel will no longer drop while you are turning the Wheel in a parking lot. Like mine used to.