Steering Column Pivot Pin Removal Tool Broke Inside Pivot Pin

[Tynan918]

Tore down my steering column to replace my ignition actuator rack and reconnect my rod so I can finally start my car with my key...

I'm down to removing just one pivot been before I'm able to remove the ceramic housing cover covering the actuator rod and rack.

I used the pivot pin remover tool from NAPA, and the second tool broke inside of the pivot pin (first tool broke too, but not inside pin).

How do I remove this broken piece inside of the pivot pin ?

Dremel cutting wheel and flat tip screwdriver ? Hammer and chisel to pry out the pivot pin itself ?

 

[PVDave]

I've read in a forum that removing one pivot pin applies more pressure on the other, making it harder to pull the other pivot pin out. Is this true ?

The pressure against both pins comes from the ~3" spring that tilts the wheel up when you release the tilt lever. You should have removed that spring before extracting the pivots, so not true.

 

[Tynan918]

The pressure against both pins comes from the ~3" spring that tilts the wheel up when you release the tilt lever. You should have removed that spring before extracting the pivots, so not true.

I removed that spring, I put the tilt all the way up to remove tension of the spring before removing it.

 

[Tynan918]

I used to use a small slide hammer to pull them. Worked very well

That's what I used to remove the pivot pin. Worked like a charm.

Slide hammer ?

 

[Tynan918]

 

[airboatgreg]

Slide hammer ?

I have a small slide hammer about a foot long. I took a screw that matched the thread in the pin and attached to slide hammer. Pops right out

View attachment 204244

 

[Longroof79]

Greg is absolutely correct regarding the use of a slide hammer. It worked flawlessly for me. I read the tip online somewhere when I was disassembling my tilt column. I figured what the heck, it was worth giving it a shot. It was that easy.

 

[Tynan918]

I have a small slide hammer about a foot long. I took a screw that matched the thread in the pin and attached to slide hammer. Pops right out

Greg is absolutely correct regarding the use of a slide hammer. It worked flawlessly for me. I read the tip online somewhere when I was disassembling my tilt column. I figured what the heck, it was worth giving it a shot. It was that easy.

OK great, the one I showed should be good enough to pull it off ?

I still got to get the broken piece out before I can use the slide hammer..

I haven't had too much luck does drilling and extracting broken bolts, I think my best bet is to cut a slit in the bolt and the pin and use a flathead screwdriver to back out the broken bolt...or try to jar it out with a hammer and small screwdriver.

 

[Longroof79]

OK great, the one I showed should be good enough to pull it off ?

I still got to get the broken piece out before I can use the slide hammer..

I haven't had too much luck does drilling and extracting broken bolts, I think my best bet is to cut a slit in the bolt and the pin and use a flathead screwdriver to back out the broken bolt...or try to jar it out with a hammer and small screwdriver.

You want to remove this pin without damaging the area around it. Don't try prying it out. I think it would cause more damage. ..no bueno.
I'm not sure how easily it would be to drill into the piece itself. I'm thinking that it might be hardened, therefore difficult to drill into. Before continuing, I'd locate a replacement piece.
Perhaps a small cutoff wheel would weaken the pin with a few strategic slices, but again, the fear of doing more damage.

 

[Tynan918]

You want to remove this pin without damaging the area around it. Don't try prying it out. I think it would cause more damage. ..no bueno.
I'm not sure how easily it would be to drill into the piece itself. I'm thinking that it might be hardened, therefore difficult to drill into. Before continuing, I'd locate a replacement piece.
Perhaps a small cutoff wheel would weaken the pin with a few strategic slices, but again, the fear of doing more damage.

I've found replacement pivot pins online. Cutting into pin a bit wouldn't damage it to the point I can't remove it, I just need enough on the bolt to put a small flathead screwdriver in the cut and turn the broken stud out...should still be able to thread another bolt in after that.

 

[airboatgreg]

OK great, the one I showed should be good enough to pull it off ?

I still got to get the broken piece out before I can use the slide hammer..

I haven't had too much luck does drilling and extracting broken bolts, I think my best bet is to cut a slit in the bolt and the pin and use a flathead screwdriver to back out the broken bolt...or try to jar it out with a hammer and small screwdriver.

Yes. You might be able to mix some JB Weld and expoxt something to the pin to be able to pull it out. I may have a pin or two laying around