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Auto Theft Prevention/1988 Oldsmobile 98 tilt steering loose

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QUESTION: Dear Mr. Painter, The screws have come loose at least 4 times in the past 110,000 of its 265,000 total miles. I have a shop do the work. The last repair was only 18 months and 12,000 miles ago and the mechanic said he used Locktite. I suspect that the holes may have become oversized so that even brand new stock screws would be loose. I would like to know if slightly larger screws could be used. (either slightly larger tight clearance precision fit screws or drilling and tapping to a larger size)  Can screws with safety wires be used? The local GM dealer partsman was unable to tell me what size the screws are. Thanks for your help

ANSWER: Hi Dan,

There are only 2 possibilities here. One is that your mechanic is not tightening all 4 bolts by taking the complete steering column apart, or you are grabbing on the wheel to get into the car.

I have fixed thousands of loose columns and NEVER had one come back for being loose!!!!

You can not use the steering column as a way to get in or out of the car!

As for different bolts, you will not be able to do this. These bolts are hardened and have an inverted hex head for clearance in order to tilt the wheel. You will not find another style bolt to clear!

Besides they screw into a little metal hardened plate also designed for a specific clearance. Trying to open up the pivot yoke to accomodate thicker bolts will destroy the cast aluminum housing.

You cannot replace the bolts. I have never seen the plate where the bolts screw in become too sloppy with the threads.

Very few know how to repair these columns. It is really an art and the only way one learns is by repitition.

These coulmns, to do a total rebuild used to pay 5.0 hours. I got to the point I could do one complete blind folded in less than a half hour although my skills are rustier now.

I charge $200 to do such plus any parts needed, but as I stated, I have done thousands and never had one come back over 17 years.

I have seen these columns hacked together by mechanics.

A common way to cheat, which I never did was to tighten the two lower bolts. The bearing housing has to be removed to do all 4.

As I said too, the reason these columns got loose in the first place was hanging on them. Very common in trucks and Vettes.



Rob

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I think I have a combination of 2 causes. Likely, the mechanics did not tighten all the bolts plus my own form of steering abuse. I don't pull on the wheel while entering or exiting but I always use it in the fully up position which likely causes more strain. My worst abuse is pushing forward on the wheel with the heel of my hand when making sharp low speed turns. The leather covering deteriorated and was removed leaving the bare plastic wheel, which is cracked at the spokes. Since I would scrape my finger if I used it against to the spoke to rapidly turn the wheel, I developed the bad  habit of pushing on the wheel with one hand and rotating it.  I will see if I can find a suitable crack filler for the wheel and correct my steering wheel usage.

 My repairs have been done by small independents that might not have the right tools or knowledge. None charged over $100 so I suspect not all screws were tightened. Do you know of anyone in Southern Calif. (I'm 30 miles East of L.A.) who is an expert like yourself?  If not, I ask your advice on whether an experienced Buick or Cadillac mechanic would be better than an experienced Chevy or Pontiac man. Are the columns the same on all GM brands?  Thank you for your expert advice, Mr. Painter!

Dan O’Reilly


Answer
Hi Dan,

I know of no one in LA with the needed experience.

Most of the GM techs familiar with these columns are either retired or dead. Oldsmobile quit using  those columns in and about 1995. The last GM truck column like your Olds was 1994.
These columns internally were more or less the same from 1969-1994. Buick Century still used your style column till 2005, but yet different with the ignition lock configuration with VATS.

I still occasionally still have columns shipped to me for repair.

I really wish I could give you better news, but that is what happens when cars get older. The parts and experience is no longer available.

Rebuilding these coluumns even at a dealer was a specialty. General GM techs did not do it.

Rob

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

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ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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