Steering Column Up/Down Play

[Jesse16]

Noticed this at the track two weeks ago and finally dove in to find the cause. Not the Mitch Leland solution. Found this link after a search mentioning two non-removable bolts located right behind the Tach that can come loose, mine surely had!
812756-extra-play-my-steering-column.html


Removed the left one with my fingers, it was completely out. Right screw was up about a turn allowing the column to move. A very small channel lock plier worked great to get it out. Will search the bolt bin or hit the store tomorrow for replacements. Blue or Red Locktite ? Only have blue. Or maybe I'll create a hex on top of these screws by hand on my grinder for the ultimate in re-use.
Anything can get loose after 30+ years !

[HarryD]

If you must use a threadlocker (I would not), use blue so you can get it apart if you need to.

Use any bolt of the correct length and thread that allows you to grip it and has enough clearance on top. You do not want a bolt that interferes with stuff over the top.

[DWeg1998]

Interesting, my 88s has Allen bolts. Made access easy.

[petercory]

Had same problem, fortunately mine were also Allen bolts.

[Jesse16]

If you look carefully at the top of the bolt heads you will see a dark circle. The bolts had a break-off driven part of some sort. The bolts are "tamper proof" per some federal or other mandate similar to how the ignition fasteners are supposed to be non-removable. I think thats how I read comments from others. Obviously time and 270k miles of vibration has ignored the non-removable thing. I'll replace with standard bolts and blue locktite, lightly torqued. And yes, check that the bolt head does not interfere with the tach going in.