Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Topic: Telescoping steering wheel stuck? (Read 1587 times) previous topic - next topic

Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

August 08, 2013, 04:42:12 pm

I believe my steering wheel is stuck in the lowest postition to the point I can't turn my high beams on. I am hopeful that others have had to make adjustments and am looking for advise before I pull the wheel. I posting some pics before I go any further.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #1 – August 08, 2013, 06:08:51 pm

Jeff,

Tell us what steering column you have?

If Douglas Auto Tech, Bronson MI. (Steering column) 800 773-1440

Brett

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #2 – August 08, 2013, 06:36:45 pm

Brett do you know where it might be stamped? I'm not sure what one I have. I'll look at what paperwork I have and see if its there

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #3 – August 08, 2013, 08:00:42 pm

I just checked the column and didn't see any markings. I also found nothing listed in my paperwork. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #4 – August 08, 2013, 09:13:10 pm

I think I'd call that outfit anyway and see if they have any ideas; at the very least they could help you identify if it's theirs or not. But it's likely that they may have some tips on how to get it unstuck. I haven't moved mine as it seems perfect the way the previous owner set it. I did try it out in a different spot but went back.

Craig

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #5 – August 08, 2013, 10:10:36 pm

Donaldson if memory serves me

Bob

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #6 – August 09, 2013, 06:56:55 am

Quote from: danieljeff545 – August 08, 2013, 04:42:12 pm

"I believe my steering wheel is stuck in the lowest position"

Interesting! I have a similar steering wheel (I think) with a lever that says " Tilt" and "Raise (?)" and I have never been able to change its position except for tilting. Is it possible I have a similar problem, or is it just that they used the same control lever without the extension feature?

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #7 – August 09, 2013, 08:28:03 am

Seeing the tab sticking up tells me it is the same as our '89. Loosen the large nut "just a hair" until you can move the tab. This should unlock the extension feature. You will probably have to play with how tight to turn the nut to keep the locking/unlocking feature. I did mine and it took several tries until I got it right.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #8 – August 09, 2013, 10:14:24 am

I hold the steering wheel and turn the big knob in the middle, Half a turn or so, The wheel goes up and down about 4 to 6 inches from memory,

The lever on the side lets it go backwards and forwards,

Works very smoothly, Hold the wheel when you lift the lever on the side, It can hit the instrument panel, Crash and crunch,

I have had my complete unit out, But not apart, The only marking on mine was Foretravel across the centre,

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #9 – August 09, 2013, 10:45:43 am

On all three of ours we changed the up down position by turning the horn button to release, moving the wheel to the desired position and turning the horn button back to its original locked position. The only caveat is, when you do this, be careful not to light up the Hadleys. It scares the beejeezus out of your neighbors.
jor

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #10 – August 09, 2013, 12:32:07 pm

My 95 was jammed up - MOT took it apart and released it.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #11 – August 09, 2013, 01:32:43 pm

Would a 1999 U320 be adjustable up and down? I have not looked but never realized that it may!

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #12 – August 09, 2013, 01:48:39 pm

[Snip: Would a 1999 U320 be adjustable up and down?]

My '98 U320 certainly is.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #13 – August 09, 2013, 02:01:45 pm

Quote from: philtravel – August 09, 2013, 01:32:43 pm

Would a 1999 U320 be adjustable up and down? I have not looked but never realized that it may!

Push down the lever to adjust height.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #14 – August 09, 2013, 03:25:47 pm

Hi Folks;

Think I will join this topic.On my 1998 I also have the lever on the side of the steering wheel column. When I first took delivery on the coach I could raise and lower and tilt the wheel. I can no longer tilt the wheel. I am currently on the road so when I get home I will take a closer look.

The lever will allow up and down but not tilt.

Should be home next week.

Norm

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #15 – August 09, 2013, 04:46:41 pm

Quote

Would a 1999 U320 be adjustable up and down?

Our 99 320 adjusted with the horn button. Easy peasy!
jor

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #16 – August 09, 2013, 05:02:24 pm

My Smart Wheel has no horn button. The horn is actuated by pushing a long bar. Tilt and extension is controlled by a short lever on the left side below the turn signal lever.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #17 – August 09, 2013, 05:46:52 pm

As I recall (beware of that memory thing), early telescoping Douglas Autotech steering cables DID adjust telescoping by unscrewing the horn ring, then tightening it in the desired position.

Yes, later ones used the short lever on left side of the column to adjust telescoping as well as tilt.

Brett

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #18 – August 09, 2013, 06:57:21 pm

Some of us had their coaches for several years and did not know about the telescoping steering wheel. Finding out was pretty embarassing. My 93 was so tight I thought it would require a 36" pipe wrench to loosen it but multiple tries finally made it work.

It is my understanding that all pre-99 Foretravels telescoped by turning the horn ring. After that it was the tilt lever being pushed toward the dash that actuated the telescoping mechanism. It may require some urging if it hasn't been used for some time. Based on the photo for the 89, I would soak the wheel hub with liquid wrench and then tap the tab counter clockwise with a plastic head hammer until it moved to the other side of the shaft then use if frequently to loosen it up.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #19 – August 09, 2013, 07:23:06 pm

Kent,my 97 270 has the lever on the left side below the turn signal switch,most coach's beginning sometime in 97 have the smart wheel,there is no horn button to turn.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #20 – August 09, 2013, 07:29:23 pm

Quote from: Bill Willett – August 09, 2013, 07:23:06 pm

Kent,my 97 270 has the lever on the left side below the turn signal switch,most coach's beginning sometime in 97 have the smart wheel,there is no horn button to turn.

Ditto for 1997 U295.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #21 – August 09, 2013, 09:35:46 pm

Our '94 - U225 works with the horn button.
Works really easy !
And.......Thank You because I didn't know until now.....

.....~JL~

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #22 – August 09, 2013, 09:55:04 pm

Does anyone know all the little gimmicks, switches, levers, wireing, where is that relay and all the other unknowns ?
Like an amazing toy box with a new finding every other day.
After five years, I thought I had it allfigured out, Wrong, still finding items I never needed to know and still dont need to know, but there it is.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #23 – August 10, 2013, 08:20:16 am

Quote from: Bill Willett – August 09, 2013, 07:23:06 pm

Kent,my 97 270 has the lever on the left side below the turn signal switch,most coach's beginning sometime in 97 have the smart wheel,there is no horn button to turn.

It looks like I was off by a couple of years. Maybe the transition was 1997 rather than 1999. It certainly appears that the smart wheel was the change.

Re: Telescoping steering wheel stuck?

Reply #24 – August 10, 2013, 05:16:53 pm

Sometimes the limit for turning the horn ring got installed in the wrong place and would not let it turn far enough to release the up and down of the wheel. If that is the case the nut that holds the wheel to the shaft can be loosened up and the limit can be turned to allow the horn button to be turned farther

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