Author Topic: steering column swap help  (Read 32491 times)

Offline gto109

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steering column swap help
« on: February 23, 2012, 09:21:08 PM »
What all do I need to do to swap out a steering column?
« Last Edit: February 23, 2012, 10:54:14 PM by gto109 »
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline bake74

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #1 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 ?
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline firefighter

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #2 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?

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #3 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.
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline zieg85

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #4 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
« Last Edit: February 24, 2012, 05:50:43 PM by zieg85 »
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #5 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.
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline firefighter

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #6 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.

Offline zieg85

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #7 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....
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #8 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. 
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline Seabeckredneck

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #9 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.
   

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #10 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?   
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline zieg85

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2012, 07:29:27 PM »
Is what is pictured going back into the column?
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2012, 08:03:04 PM »
Yes
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver

Offline zieg85

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #13 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.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
https://www.facebook.com/groups/248658382003506/

Offline gto109

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Re: steering column swap help
« Reply #14 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.
67 Le Mans Convertible resto project 350 Pontiac w/powerglide,
85 Scottsdale k-10 305 700r4,
86 Trans Am 305 350th
06 Dodge Ram daily driver