'97 blazer 2dr, 4x4, auto - tilt, floor shift

i need to remove the gauge cluster to inspect the connections and possibly replace some bulbs (the SES light, among other lights, doesn't turn on). i've had it apart to the point that the cluster is free, but it seems to get hung up on the upper steering column shroud. lower shroud removal is easy, but for the upper shroud it looks like the steering wheel might have to come off. is there a trick to removing the upper shroud, or is it steering wheel puller time? (among other things i also have to find out why the steering wheel is crooked and the horn doesn't work)

 

I really don't know why your steering wheel is crooked and the horn doesn't work. But, I did take of my gauge cluster the other day on my 97 blazer. All you have to do is take off the plastic that is under the steering column (where your feet are) and there are two nuts on the bottom and on the top of the steering column. Take off the UPPER two nuts and the steering column should come down enough for you to take out you gauge cluster easily. Hope that helps.

Good luck!

Hey man, almost forgot, DISCONNECT your negative cable from the battary, I don't know if that coused it on myin but when I put everything back together my key didn't turn, it would go IN the ignition but would not turn. After a while it turned smoothly[&:] I don't know why and how but you don't want that hassle, right? I read the book for my 97 blazer and it taked about some "lockout" feature????????????? I don't know why and I don't really like it but just be aware of that.

 

hah. never even thought of dropping the column. thanks for the information.

 

you don't even need to drop the steering column. just put column all the way down with tilt and flex plastic up over it.

 

No, it didn't work when I tried it. Lowering the steering column is MUCH easier. Or you will brake your plastic.

 

yeah, i tried tilting the column all the way down, even tried bending the shroud a bit. i'll just drop the column, no big deal.

 

yah it is so much easier just to drop the column than to have to replace the plastic when you break it. My brother broke his on his 97 s10, so I did it the easy way and droped my column.