Stuck Telescopic Steering

[Xcellr8]

Thanks again Gary, I appreciate that information. Meanwhile, I drove out to the storage center and took the measurements on my 01 S. The measurements were slightly different, but the range is similar. Might be due to the three spoke wheel vs. the four spoke wheel. With the three spoke wheel, I got 4 7/8 inches collapsed, and 6 1/2 inches extended (1 5/8 inches of travel).

So, as Gary first reported, the movement is only about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches. I would have guessed more, when moving the wheel, it sure seems like more.

Now, if I could just figure out why this column on the 98 is dang hard to move. I almost wonder if the release is really releasing. The lever goes down, and the pin retracts at the bottom of the column, but maybe the mechanism is frozen around the column, not allowing it move freely. Just an idea. Anyone else ever figure this out other than to keep spraying it and working it in and out?

[Xcellr8]

Well, I got a bigger hammer, 4lb sledge, but made no progress. Granted, there is limited room to swing. So, back to the storage center to investigate a working column.

Discovered that the portion of the column that moves is the splined shaft that passes through the firewall. There are two (2) sections of splined shaft. In the collapsed position, you can only see one of those sections. But, if you can get your column to extend, you will see a second splined section come through the firewall. Yes, the black column all the way to the steering wheel moves in an out with that shaft, but we now know that portion of the steering column is probably not the part that gets stuck. It is the portion going through the firewall where things get stuck.

With the locking mechanism released, and with a pry bar on the knuckle that changes the angle of the steering column near the firewall, I was able to determine that the locking mechanism did in fact release, and that the upper portion of the column could move.

Making progress,

NOW, if I could only get splined shaft to move.

Ideas cleary are needed and wanted.