Auto Tilt Steering Wheel Fix

Problem: When Steering Wheel is tryin to be adjusted with auto stick or auto tilt...It does not move and just makes a loud grinding noise

Explanation: There is a gear/ "worm wheel" inside of the column that assist in adjusting the steering wheel. This gear/"worm wheel" has come out of "alignment" with the coil/"worm". Making the gear just grind on the edge of the teeth instead of the teeth being inline and fitting inside the coil correctly.
Fix: Install a washer behind and in front of gear to align it back into place.
Tools Needed:
(1) Phillips Screwdriver
(2) Paper Clips/ Angled Picks
(1) 1/4" Ratchet
(1) 1/4" 10mm Socket
(1) 8mm Wrench
(2) 9/16's Washers
(1) Dollar [3/$1.12 at Lowes Hardware]
First Step:
The casing around the steering column needs to be replaced. First thing to do is remove 3 screws. Will need phillips head screwdriver


Second Step
Next step is to pop the case off...all that is necessary is the lower half. No need to take the top half off. To do this you press above and below the crack with each thumb and push in and pry apart. Same thing on both sides.

Third Step
This is what will be exposed on the left side under the lever. You want to remove these 3 screws. This is where you use the 8mm wrench. After you remove them that plate slides out towards you. Then you should be able to see inside and see the gear and coil. (worm and worm wheel)


As you can see in the picture above ^ the gear is inset more than it should be only allowing the edge of it to rotate on the coil. It needs to be positioned out more to be lined directly under the coil so the whole surface of the gear is in contact.
Fourth Step
First thing to do is use your 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the nut holding the gear in place. Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures of how to pull the gear out but this is where the 2 paper clips or picks would come in hand. Get the bends of your utensils behind the gear and start gently pulling on the gear making it pull out towards you until it is all the way out. Once it is all the way out you want to install the first washer on the gear shaft. Then put the gear back on and then install the second washer. If there is any confusion on this part, ask and I will take the time to get pics to help out so you can see better. Below are the washers I used for this project from Lowes' Hardware. Again it cost me $1.12 for a pack of 3



Now in the above pic you can see how the gear is closer to you and aligned more on the coil and how the outside washer is on. Now you can start putting everything back together

Hopefully this helps some people out. I know it helped me out. If there are any questions about the process please ask I will do my best to help.
Thank you
Last edited by ScJz; Dec 10, 2010 at 09:05 PM.
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Problem: When Steering Wheel is tryin to be adjusted with auto stick or auto tilt...It does not move and just makes a loud grinding noise

Explanation: There is a gear/ "worm wheel" inside of the column that assist in adjusting the steering wheel. This gear/"worm wheel" has come out of "alignment" with the coil/"worm". Making the gear just grind on the edge of the teeth instead of the teeth being inline and fitting inside the coil correctly.
Fix: Install a washer behind and in front of gear to align it back into place.
Tools Needed:
(1) Phillips Screwdriver
(2) Paper Clips/ Angled Picks
(1) 1/4" Ratchet
(1) 1/4" 10mm Socket
(1) 8mm Wrench
(2) 9/16's Washers
(1) Dollar [3/$1.12 at Lowes Hardware]
First Step:
The casing around the steering column needs to be replaced. First thing to do is remove 3 screws. Will need phillips head screwdriver


Second Step
Next step is to pop the case off...all that is necessary is the lower half. No need to take the top half off. To do this you press above and below the crack with each thumb and push in and pry apart. Same thing on both sides.

Third Step
This is what will be exposed on the left side under the lever. You want to remove these 3 screws. This is where you use the 8mm wrench. After you remove them that plate slides out towards you. Then you should be able to see inside and see the gear and coil. (worm and worm wheel)


As you can see in the picture above ^ the gear is inset more than it should be only allowing the edge of it to rotate on the coil. It needs to be positioned out more to be lined directly under the coil so the whole surface of the gear is in contact.
Fourth Step
First thing to do is use your 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the nut holding the gear in place. Unfortunately I forgot to get pictures of how to pull the gear out but this is where the 2 paper clips or picks would come in hand. Get the bends of your utensils behind the gear and start gently pulling on the gear making it pull out towards you until it is all the way out. Once it is all the way out you want to install the first washer on the gear shaft. Then put the gear back on and then install the second washer. If there is any confusion on this part, ask and I will take the time to get pics to help out so you can see better. Below are the washers I used for this project from Lowes' Hardware. Again it cost me $1.12 for a pack of 3



Now in the above pic you can see how the gear is closer to you and aligned more on the coil and how the outside washer is on. Now you can start putting everything back together

Hopefully this helps some people out. I know it helped me out. If there are any questions about the process please ask I will do my best to help.
Thank you
My tilt works fine, it's the telescoping part that stopped a few months back.

Would be interested if anyone has a fix for that issue...





