Steering Column

timkins · January 05, 2012, 11:00:01 AM

I think I am going to replace my steering column this winter. I currently have a GM Tilt column with column shift, windshield wiper/cruise control stalk, emergency flashers and key. The column is about 32" in length from the nut that holds the wheel to the base where it connects to the steering coupler. Everything I look at is about 34 inches in length. Does anybody know what particular model I am looking for? I am trying to go with an exact duplicate to keep from a lot of extra work and I do not want an IDIDIT or Flaming River.

wayne petty · January 05, 2012, 12:28:05 PM

perhaps.. a little more detail . of what you want if different.

non column shift???

is your column loose??? wobbles..

is that a picture of your column.. what does the paint mark say...

in those there is also a difference between conventional wipers and delay wipers.. different switches..

and.. which transmission you have.. the gm 3 speed or a gm 4 speed overdrive.. if you want a column shift..

i will now steer you toward some of the other members will more on this issue..

timkins · January 05, 2012, 02:40:51 PM

I would like something exactly like what I have. The one in the car has some things wrong that I do not feel qualified to reaper. The key does not turn without a lot of wiggling in the slot, when the wheel is in the upright position and I slide in and use the wheel to get myself behind the wheeil it will suddenly pop down to the lowest tilt position and lastly there is a wire inside that has been repaired that I am not real comfortable with. It is a column shift tilt with conventional wipers. It its currently shifting a Turbo Hydro 350. The picture is one that I was looking at but is too long for my application. It is 34 inches in length an I need something in the 31-32 inch length. The picture was for illustration only. I have heard the column in my car is from the 70's to the 80's from a GM pick up but I am not sure as I did not build the car.

wayne petty · January 05, 2012, 03:50:59 PM

those are all easily fixed....

the drops down when you get in.. is probably the Cross pin in the tilt latch has slid out to the side.. requiring a significant tear down..

i am taking that you need it shorter between the mounting plate in the middle and the steering wheel.. giving you more room between the seat back and the steering wheel....

almost all the individual parts inside... are easily replaced... with a minimum of special tools...

a steering wheel puller with a lock plate depressor is needed.. this is one option...

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_18214.jpg

or one of these... from your local AZ.. or other auto parts store..

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/grn/27044/image/4/

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/grn/25134/image/4/

you will also need one of these to go DEEP into the column..
a steering column pivot pin puller.

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/grn/25135/image/4/

and an E-8 torx socket..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do you have the column out.. to get some measurements ...

do you have any junk yards around that have a good selection of steering columns removed from cars or rebuilt where you might be able to find something a little shorter in the direction you are mentioning..

timkins · January 05, 2012, 06:31:36 PM

I know that the repairs are easy for some people but I am not confident enough to tackle the problems.
The length of the column that is in the car is perfect as it is right now.
What I basically need to know is what year and model do I need to replace whats in there with an equal one. Is it from a S10 or a full size pick up or am I completely off base as to what it came out of. The column is currently still in the car as I am afraid I will get it out and not be able to get it back in without a hassle.
No junk yards close to compare the old and new side by side.

wayne petty · January 05, 2012, 11:41:56 PM

timkins... there are SO MANY different steering columns...

exact measurements...

exact applications of what it came out of...

its going to be a LOT easier.. in the long run.. to fix what you have.. or find a repair shop . or even some locksmiths know how to do this..

here are a few randomly selected videos that might help... steering columns are NOT that hard to repair..

part 1

part 2

gchoA&index=11&feature=plcp

part3

i think there are several more sections....

section 3 shows removing the flexy part of the steering column..

at the top of the piece attached still attached to the steering column tube.. you will see some kind of steel pin .. where the tilt fingers latch into it.. that pin usually is the problem .. it slides to the side.. so the fingers cannot catch properly allowing the column to drop to the bottom... a really annoying feeling..

turn signal switches .. wiper switches.. cruise control switches all are available at local parts stores... try to NOT knock the tape with the part number off the individual harnesses.. sometimes its gone.. you can identify which turn signal switch from that.. in most cases..

you could also look for shops in your area.. that do theft restoration.. they will have most of the stuff in stock to do steering column repairs..

rebuilt steering columns.. are usually somebody elses column tossed together with USED parts from other columns..

i will stop prodding you now...

phat rat · January 06, 2012, 10:39:25 AM

It sounds like you want a strictly bolt in column. As Wayne said there are so many different ones that you would be better off fixing what you have or else pull it and take it with you to different yards to use for comparision.

Rrumbler · January 06, 2012, 12:15:39 PM

Scratching around in the dusty vault of my memory, I think a column from a later '70s/early '80s GM full sized van is about 32 inches. That considered, I would imagine that anything you found from that era would likely be just as rough as the one you have; so, it might be well considered to think real hard about rebuilding what you have. When you get done, you will know more than you already do, and will know that what you have is as right as you can make it.

timkins · January 07, 2012, 09:04:11 AM

Thanks to all who responded with advice and encouragement. I guess I will wait a couple of weeks and pull the column for easier side by side comparisons and then try to fix it myself. Stand by I may need more advice when its apart.

wayne petty · January 07, 2012, 09:55:27 AM

just to let you know..

there are places that just do steering columns..

look at the different options just for GM pickups...

http://www.columnsgalore.com/GMCSTRUCKS.htm

this place is about 300 miles from you..

but you could probably send them your column for rebuilding.. or an exchange...

a few questions about your installation...

i am hoping that it was installed... with proper plugs .. NOT that somebody cut the ends of the harnesses off and crimped wires directly to the column harnesses.. as thats not only going to make it really really hard to remove your column.. but for you to get it out and to get it working again..

if this has happened to you.. where the various multi pin connectors were just CHOPPED away and wiring was directly attached to the column wiring...

you will want to NOT disconnect anything.. stop where you are...

ask for help.. photograph the connections ... where you can see both sides of each harness laid out flat for the photograph.. print the best photographs on paper.. then go in and figure out what they did .. marking on the prints.. or post them to photobucket.com its free.. then post the images here... there is lots of help here..

it would be a HUGE waste of time and money to get an exchange or rebuilt column with new switches and cut the ends off the new ones.. when you can get proper connectors to make the whole system plug and play easily.. so you never have to cut a wire again.. to get the column out for repair or other work...

if your column install has had the ends cut off the column side of the harness... stop by a radio shack.. they have 4 different sizes of european style terminal blocks..

this is just the description of one of the 4 sizes.. every RS store has these in stock.. under 5 bucks... i don't know which size.. you will need..

12-Position European-Style Mini Terminal Strip
Model: 274-680 | Catalog #: 274-680

what to do with these.. if you have a cut and spliced with crimp terminals type of connection.. you can cut the crimp connection from ONE wire at a time.. and two options.. buy 2 of each of the terminal blocks.. number them.. connect one wire into the one... the other side of that wire into the other.. .. then the next wire.. this will allow you to cut the crimps out.. and keep the wires organized to make it really easy to put every one back together.. in the proper order..

since the column harness are usually ribbon cable.. please try to line it up in order...

the last option is to take your car to a specialist.. where they repair columns.. or have one come to you.. perhaps a RRT member lives nearby you.. who might lend a hand..

timkins · January 07, 2012, 11:27:18 AM

I am a member of the Rochester Street Rods and there is a meeting on Monday night. I might ask there for some assistance and see what the reply is. Thanks again Wayne as this has been very informative.

enjenjo · January 07, 2012, 11:46:06 AM

If you were a bit closer, I could show you how to do it. I have the tools, and have done a bunch of them, I have also built tilt columns for special applications.

57larry · January 07, 2012, 08:24:45 PM

Quote from: "enjenjo"If you were a bit closer, I could show you how to do it. I have the tools, and have done a bunch of them, I have also built tilt columns for special applications.

wow, that's a great offer.Can I come up when it's warm and you can walk me thru an inspection of my out of the car tilt? thanks, Larry

enjenjo · January 07, 2012, 09:30:13 PM

Quote from: "57larry"
Quote from: "enjenjo"If you were a bit closer, I could show you how to do it. I have the tools, and have done a bunch of them, I have also built tilt columns for special applications.

wow, that's a great offer.Can I come up when it's warm and you can walk me thru an inspection of my out of the car tilt? thanks, Larry

Fine with me. I have some common parts here too.

Carnut · January 07, 2012, 10:39:39 PM

Ok, talking about steering columns.

My 77 Silverado has a tilt with cruise on the turn signal stalk and the wiper switch on the dash with the intermittent apparently part of the dash switch. That W/S switch was replaced by dealer early ofter going bad and the intermittent stopped working awhile back. I was kinda under the impression the switch was plugged into a printed circuit panel and didn't really use wires.

I also have an 89 Silverado which has the cruise and wiper controls on the turn signal stalk.

So, just wondering if I could put an 89 tilt in my 77 pickup and get the wiper working from the switch and would it work with my current factory cruise? Any thoughts?