Steering Column Repair: Tilt Wheel stuck in the up position, ponitac grand am, tilt wheel

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2003 ponitac grand am and the steering wheel is stuck in the full up position. The tilt wheel handle is broke, can you please tell me how to repair it so that I can adjust my steering wheel.

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Denise:

The tilt mechanism is hyper-extended.  Here's what you need to do to release it.

Very firmly, push the tilt even high than it already is.  This will release the tilt lever so it can be pulled back and overcome the last tooth it has gotten jammed on.  Then you will be able to bring the column back down and the tilt lever will work fine once again.
There is no damage done and if you release the tilt gently from now on, you shouldn't have that issue any more.
Good luck

Doug

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

QUESTION: Thanks Doug, I will have my husband try that, but the lever (the tilt wheel handle) has alot of play and is pushed all the way forward. So like when you pull it forward to release the wheel, that is where it is sitting. Will your recommendation still work or is there some kind of pin that has broke?

Thanks again

Answer
Denise:
the reason the lever has so much play is because the mechanism has gone past the locking point.  Pull the lever as you normally would then, force the wheel higher.  Then you should be able to pull the wheel back down.
There shouldn't be anything broken.

Doug