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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Steering Columns => Topic started by: gto109 on February 23, 2012, 09:21:08 PM

Title: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on February 23, 2012, 09:21:08 PM
What all do I need to do to swap out a steering column?
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: bake74 on February 24, 2012, 06:34:36 AM
     Is it going to be a swap from one of our trucks or out of something else ?
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: firefighter on February 24, 2012, 07:40:53 AM
What all do I need to do to swap out a steering column?

Are you asking what all items you'll need as far as wiring and additional parts? or what you'll need for tools?

I think we're looking for a few more details.

What exactly are you going to be doing?
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on February 24, 2012, 10:22:33 AM
Sorry was half asleep when I wrote that.  I have a column out of a 90 suburban to swap in my 85.  I didn't pull it so I have no clue what to do.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on February 24, 2012, 04:36:54 PM
To make it a little easier rotate the steering wheel so the nut on the bolt faces about 10 o'clock so you can get to it with an extension.  At that point lock the column and pull the key.  Start under the hood.  Look at how the column comes through the firewall.  There are 2 nuts right at the firewall underneath your brake booster that have to be removed.  That step by far is the biggest PITA, 15mm swivel socket is what it is gonna take.  The strap (u shaped piece with 2 studs that the 15 MM nuts go on) only goes one way.  The end of the column there is a bolt that needs to be removed from the intermediate shaft (the piece between the column and steering box/rag joint).  The shifter linkage, if and automatic needs to be disconnected.  Then inside under the dash at the firewall underneath there are 10 or so bolts/sheet metal screws 10MM holding the flashing piece (don't know what it is called) but it should be on the new column.  There is cardboard/insulation that is brittle under there that you have to move out of the way to get to it.  Then there is the filler piece under the dash that needs to be removed 6 phillips screws and if you have factory AC the plastic duct going to the drivers side vent also has a screw and both have to come out.  If an automatic the shift indicator needs to be slid off the plastic and put out of the way, I tape it to the dash temporarily.  Then there are 2 15MM nuts that have to be removed for the column to drop down.  Unplug all the different  plugs.  You will have to give it a good tug then have to rotate the column so the shifter can come through the firewall.  If you are going from a non-tilt wheel to a tilt wheel column the long plug for the ignition wires is upside down and you have to turn the plug, you will see it.   

rotate the steering wheel so the nut on the bolt faces about 10 o'clock on your replacement column and put it in the same position.  On assembly go in the reverse order except the firewall flashing piece, get the under the hood u-bolt at the firewall put back and started because it won't go on if you button up inside the cab first...

I think that should be about it...  Be patient and expect to spend a couple 3 hours on it... It gets easier the more you do it...  I am up to about 5
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on February 24, 2012, 05:27:21 PM
Thank you very much.  I may wait till next week while the wife is working to do this.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: firefighter on February 24, 2012, 08:32:33 PM
Wow, great write up zieg. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
I've got a spare tilt column I may put in some day.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on February 24, 2012, 09:11:44 PM
Wow, great write up zieg. Thank you for taking the time to do that.
I've got a spare tilt column I may put in some day.

Thank you for the comment.  I don't know how many times I re-wrote it/edited.  I plan to document a swap with pictures.  Maybe end up in the technical pages....
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on February 24, 2012, 09:21:10 PM
Please do.  I looked for a while on this site and on the net in general before I gave up and asked on here.  I could not of asked for a better reply and I thank you very much for it. 
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: Seabeckredneck on February 26, 2012, 10:32:07 PM
 Great description Zieg85.  I wish I would have seen your post a couple weeks ago cos I just put a tilt column from a 78 into my 79. The only thing I did differently was break the joint at the rag joint and not the intermediate joint. Had I known about this site I would have taken some pictures to help others that are going to swap steering columns.
   
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 05, 2012, 07:18:12 PM
Zieg85 your directions where great.  I am having a problem though.  At the bar that connects the steering gear to the end of the column.  Every time I try and put them together the end of the column slides in the column.  Is there something I'm not doing right?   
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2012, 07:29:27 PM
Is what is pictured going back into the column?
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 05, 2012, 08:03:04 PM
Yes
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2012, 08:07:08 PM
I have had that problem once however I don't remember the outcome, sorry.  Remove the clip and the cap that holds the bottom bearing.  It may be self evident but hopefully someone will chime in.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 02:01:35 PM
I asked a mechanic today where my brother works.  He told me pull it out as far as it goes put vicegrips on to hold it in place.  grease it up and tap it together.  It worked.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 06:54:47 PM
After smacking my head off the side of the hood I added the step of take hood off.  I am replacing the hood on Friday anyhow.  I now have a nice tight column and turn signals again.  Still have no hazards or horn but that's another story.  Only thing I don't like about it is the horn button says GMC & mine is a chevy.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: thirsty on March 06, 2012, 07:11:02 PM
The horn buttons aren't the same on those two columns? I thought you could just swap them out.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 07:22:25 PM
Old style vs new.  the column is out of a 90 or 91 suburban
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on March 06, 2012, 07:59:30 PM
eBay, see them on there all the time
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 09:24:33 PM
Just look under horn cover for 90 suburban?
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on March 06, 2012, 09:29:29 PM
Just look under horn cover for 90 suburban?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVY-TRUCK-STEERING-WHEEL-HORN-PAD-BUTTON-/360434076681?hash=item53eb8b8c09&item=360434076681&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-C-K-Truck-Horn-Button-88-94-/110833114780?hash=item19ce2b1e9c&item=110833114780&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 09:47:26 PM
Thank you for the links.  I bought the second one.  Its in the same state I should have it by Monday at the latest.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: zieg85 on March 06, 2012, 09:51:28 PM
Awesome, took seconds to come up with those links.  After I saw the first one, I came back with the second as I remembered it had the notches on it...
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: gto109 on March 06, 2012, 10:22:40 PM
Thank you for all your help Zieg.  I don't think I would of had this done as fast as I did without the perfect directions.  I think I spent more time running for stuff I didn't have then I did working on the truck.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: bake74 on March 08, 2012, 04:29:47 AM
Thank you for all your help Zieg.  I don't think I would of had this done as fast as I did without the perfect directions.  I think I spent more time running for stuff I didn't have then I did working on the truck.

     Isn't that always the case, seems like you always spend more time on running around getting parts or doing research then it actually takes to do a project.  Oh well I guess that is half of the battle.
Title: Re: steering column swap help
Post by: werewolfx13 on March 11, 2012, 12:44:27 AM
Very accurate write up. Did a similar swap in my truck last year. I rebuilt a column I bought from a member on this site, and swapped it out. All in all, 6 hours from the start of the rebuild (including the 45 minutes I spent running after new ball bearings..twice...) til I had the new column in. 3 hours is about right for the install time.  Didn't need to remove the hood though...