I have the same thing that just happened to mine. I think the plastic ring toward the front of the vehicle is rubber and flexible. Can't you just pull the plastic out of it? Anyway, please post what you found/or what it took to fix this problem.

 

2003 Tilt Steering stuck

I gave up. Please let me know if you figure it out!

Terry

 

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling Zone 3 in SIR. Remove the steering wheel from the steering column. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .
2. Remove the tilt lever from the steering column. Refer to Tilt Lever Replacement .Remove the driver knee bolster trim panel. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Knee Bolster in Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.
3. Remove the 2 TORX® head screws from the lower trim cover. Separate the lower trim cover tabs from the slots in the steering column close out trim cover. Remove the switch wires from the telescope motor assembly, which are routed in clips along the bottom of the lower trim cover. From the inside of the lower trim cover, push out the telescope motor assembly switch. Disconnect the assembly switch connector from the instrument panel wiring harness. Remove the telescope motor assembly switch and wires from the trim cover.
4. Remove the lower trim cover.
   Remove the 2 TORX® head screws (2) from the upper trim cover (1). Separate the upper trim cover tabs from the slots in the steering column close out trim cover.
5. Remove the upper trim cover (1).

Sounds like an authorized repair facility job to me, unless you have a steering wheel puller that'll fit.

1. Remove the steering wheel inflator module. Refer to Inflatable Restraint Steering Wheel Module Replacement in SIR.
2. Remove the horn electrical connector. Install J 42640 to the steering column. Remove the steering wheel set nut. Discard the steering wheel set nut.
3. Install J 42120 and J 1859-A to the steering wheel. Tighten the puller center screw against steering column shaft until the steering wheel slides off the steering column shaft.
4. Remove J 42120 and J 1859-A from the steering wheel.

 

2003 tilt steering stuck

Thanks for the reply, but I'm unable to open any of these links. Can you try pasting the information under "Tilt Lever Replacement".

Thanks,

Terry

 

I have read that others that have had this happen with the tilt being in the full up position. It happened to me also and instead of tying the headache of taking things apart I tried the quick fix. I held the tilt inwards and with the heel of my hand I hit downwards on the bottom of the steering wheel hard. And if be damed that fix worked. The tilt tangs fell back in place and the wheel tilts properly now. Try that first before the take apart nightmare to try and fix.