blkinternational Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 awhile back somone posted a video about somones engine falling out due to cradle mounts, and the guy shows how the streering weel just moves freely well i was changing my cradle mounts when i lowered the cradle to much and somthing happend and now my steering weel just moves freely and i cant figure out what it is, help plzzzzzzzzzzzz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 your intermediate shaft has seperated. When i reattached one that seperated on my car I had to do it with the rear of the frame lowered about 3 inches. I recommend you remove the lower part of the steering shaft from the rack pinion (or whatever the stuc is called.) it holds on with an 11mm bolt. attempt to reinsert the lower portrion of the shaft into the upper portion of the shaft. if that fails, it may be easest to do with the entire steering column removed from the car. the goal is to reasemble the shaftr and then reconnect to to everything, and then jack the frame back up into the car. REMEMBER. safety first. you need to be careful so at to not drop the frame or car on you. btdt! cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97loudcut Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 wow, you really fucked yourself Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 ok i was looking under there agian..there a rubber boot i tryed to move i cant even se what im doing but when i moved the boot around a small peice of metel fell out?????wtf yeah mat i rlly did fuck myself im rlly sick of this car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJansen658 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 More than likely part of the steering coupler. The coupler is a swivel, a lot like a swivel you use with ratchets and sockets. One end connects to the rack & pinion, the other end connects to the steering column. You may have pulled it off at either end, hopefully the metal piece you found is part of the coupler and not the column or the rack. If it is broken I suspect you will need a new coupler. Heres some pics that might help.... A coupler up close, not quite like yours but a good representation. A coupler on a system exactly like yours, this is whats inside that boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 damn thanks for the pic this is rlly gonna help? but what exactly came disconected i dont se where it disconects it looks like the onyl way it can come apart is if its unbolted or the bolt is broke?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJansen658 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Yes exactly, I would suspect either a bolt broke or the coupler itself broke. If you post a pic of the piece of metal that came out I may be able to tell you what it is from. It is unlikely the shaft from the rack or the column broke but I suppose it is possible. IIRC, the coupler on W's is made out of cast aluminum, which is a relatively weak metal. Good luck getting the boot out of your way, it is very difficult, I usually cut it up the side, then drill holes so I can use zip ties to hold it back together, and put black silicone over the seam. I am unsure on W's, but on most cars, you can get to the top connection of the coupler from inside the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 ill get a pic up asap! but so if i pulled the carpit back and removed some things by the firewall i might be able to get to this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJansen658 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Yes you should be able to see the TOP part of the coupler, ie its connection to the column. The bottom connection is only reachable from below. You will have to pull back the carpet and there should be a boot on the inside too around the coupler. Also, I do not know if 94' Cutlasses have airbags, but if it does..... free spinning the steering wheel will damage the airbag clock spring....if this is the case, a damaged clock spring can activate the airbag when you don't want it to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Yes you should be able to see the TOP part of the coupler, ie its connection to the column. The bottom connection is only reachable from below. You will have to pull back the carpet and there should be a boot on the inside too around the coupler. Also, I do not know if 94' Cutlasses have airbags, but if it does..... free spinning the steering wheel will damage the airbag clock spring....if this is the case, a damaged clock spring can activate the airbag when you don't want it to. it does. IMMEDIATELY PULL THE AIRBAG FUSE! you can fix the clock spring later, if you chose. yes all the parts are under the plstci sleeves I guess you should try to remove the entire thing from the car and see if it can be put back together. pics of said part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey b Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 yeah, don't spin the wheel cause you do have an airbag. Don't cut the rubber boot, just pull it off. I believe the metal piece is part of the swivel-steering assembly, but I don't think it is even necessary (I'm 2/2 without it BTW) Put the swivel onto the steering wheel all the way. Put the boot back in place Lift the subframe until the knob on the rack touches the swivel push or pull the tierod to get the knob in the rack to line up with the swivel push swivel down and insert bolt. I've had to do this too many times due to my own stupidity to not know how to do it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 i know i posted these directions here for someone awhile ago, do a search and it should find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 how exactly do i remove this boot i cant get it off with out cutting it. is there a trick. im sure i could really se the problem when i remove this boot. i did a search and i still cant find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 You just have to force it aout of the way. it is flexible and will move, but will spring back. I use a BMFing screwdriver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 k well ima go work on it ill keep u updated thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkinternational Posted October 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 well i ended up breaking the stearing nuckle so i said fuck it and had it towed to the local shop this is gonna be a arm and a leg after everything, finishing cradel mounts, window tabs, started, steering. OMFG btw chrome stockers back on for winter:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey b Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 If you lived anywhere near me I woulda helped you. Woulda taken less than an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 stearing knuckle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GutlessSupreme Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 stearing knuckle? x2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.