I tore into it again. Here'* some pics (lousy) of what is broken, and the "triangle" pieces. The broken piece is an aluminum "coller" that goes around the steel column. It is mounted to the steel lower column mount via two bolts. The threaded holes in the aluminum coller have broken apart. The only thing holding the column in place after that was the "triangle" pieces which sandwich the upper column mount. Works ginda like vice grips. after driving & steering & my wife pulling herself into the car by the steering wheel, it has worked loose. I cannot get it to retighten enough to hold the column in place. Suggestions? The aluminum coller is a one piece deal. Column would have to come out to replace it. My local dealer says that piece is discontinued & he cannot get it.

Worked on it today. I found the aluminum thingy still had some of the threaded holes intact. Only about 3/16" though. I found some bolts of the same thread and used epoxy like it was going out of style. Once cured, bolted it together (bottom first then the triangle thingys). I only drive it out of the garage but it feels solid & is super smooth. Feels like new. I'll see if it holds up & advise. Good luck to anyone trying this.

I'm feeling my '96 is a tiny bit wobbly in the column, and wanted to see what i might be up against. My old and addled eyes needed help. I worked these for my collection, and thought some others might be visually challenged, too. Pardon the noise, these were just a slam/bam to get points of interest.

I have the same problem. The upper brace slipped out of the capsules and apparently put undue pressure on the intermediate column which broke the lower housing. I found two broken parts: BEARING ASM, ADAPTER and RETAINER, BEARING & SEAL. I would attach the service manual diagrams if I new how to attach them here.

The Bearing and Seal Retainer is plastic and is available from a GM dealer, but the Bearing ASM is not available through a dealer. I am trying to find these from an alternate vendor on line.

There'* probaby a lot of them at the local JY for very little money.