changing steering column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazer2007 · 01-04-2022, 11:18 AM

I want to change my steering column in my 78 blazer to column shift which is aromatic now. It was a 6 cyl. 3 spd on the floor so original column is splined. I thought all the columns were rag joint. All the columns I,ve found are rag joint. What are my options.

**MikeB** · 01-04-2022, 12:56 PM

Shaft is splined onto the steering gearbox? Then again, maybe Blazers were different than 1/2 ton pickups.

Can you post a photo?

blazer2007 · 01-05-2022, 11:09 AM

sorry bad wording, too early in the morning yesterday . the blazer is splined up top the shaft by firewall. The truck is the D shaped that slides in the rag joint. This is the pic of the truck column , the blazer is splined instead of D shape

**MikeB** · 01-05-2022, 11:48 AM

OK, that column in the picture looks just like the one in my 69 C10. The flex joint (or whatever it's called) that you have circled clamps down onto a splined shaft with a groove for the bolt. The rag joint connects the lower shaft to the steering box. Do you have a picture of the Blazer column?

You should send a message to our member Don D who rebuilds steering columns.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=373923

He can answer your questions and may be able to sell you an automatic upper column.

blazer2007 · 01-05-2022, 12:08 PM

OK will do later today if it ever quits snowing here, GEEZ can,t get anything done

blazer2007 · 01-05-2022, 05:40 PM

thanks Mike for waiting . Here is pic of blazer 1978. The splines are just peaking out where the arrow is.

**MikeB** · 01-06-2022, 04:51 AM

Don't know where my head was! 1973-up columns are different than my 1969 column. I rebuilt an 82 C10 column several years ago and replaced another, but don't have any pictures. If you don't get any help from the guys here, try the gmsquarebody forum.

Axle · 01-08-2022, 01:45 PM

Early columns had a spline at the end of the steering column before the D-shaft came along.(my '73 nova also has splines at the end of the column). Can't tell you for sure what year things switched over to a d-shaft, but a bit of time at the borgeson site looking for replacement parts for your specific truck and other year trucks will give the year breakdown on the parts.

Other than differences in shaft and splines size/count/type, the system is constructed the same, steering column, that cup (sliding block ujoint), intermediate shaft, rag joint, steering box.

blazer2007 · 01-09-2022, 09:14 PM

thanks,

01-04-2022, 11:18 AM	#1
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	changing steering column I want to change my steering column in my 78 blazer to column shift which is aromatic now. It was a 6 cyl. 3 spd on the floor so original column is splined. I thought all the columns were rag joint. All the columns I,ve found are rag joint. What are my options.

01-04-2022, 12:56 PM	#2
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: changing steering column Shaft is splined onto the steering gearbox? Then again, maybe Blazers were different than 1/2 ton pickups. Can you post a photo? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-05-2022, 11:09 AM	#3
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: changing steering column sorry bad wording, too early in the morning yesterday . the blazer is splined up top the shaft by firewall. The truck is the D shaped that slides in the rag joint. This is the pic of the truck column , the blazer is splined instead of D shape Attached Images

01-05-2022, 11:48 AM	#4
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: changing steering column OK, that column in the picture looks just like the one in my 69 C10. The flex joint (or whatever it's called) that you have circled clamps down onto a splined shaft with a groove for the bolt. The rag joint connects the lower shaft to the steering box. Do you have a picture of the Blazer column? You should send a message to our member Don D who rebuilds steering columns. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=373923 He can answer your questions and may be able to sell you an automatic upper column. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-05-2022, 12:08 PM	#5
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: changing steering column OK will do later today if it ever quits snowing here, GEEZ can,t get anything done

01-05-2022, 05:40 PM	#6
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: changing steering column thanks Mike for waiting . Here is pic of blazer 1978. The splines are just peaking out where the arrow is. Attached Images

01-06-2022, 04:51 AM	#7
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: changing steering column Don't know where my head was! 1973-up columns are different than my 1969 column. I rebuilt an 82 C10 column several years ago and replaced another, but don't have any pictures. If you don't get any help from the guys here, try the gmsquarebody forum. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-08-2022, 01:45 PM	#8
Axle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 1,212	Re: changing steering column Early columns had a spline at the end of the steering column before the D-shaft came along.(my '73 nova also has splines at the end of the column). Can't tell you for sure what year things switched over to a d-shaft, but a bit of time at the borgeson site looking for replacement parts for your specific truck and other year trucks will give the year breakdown on the parts. Other than differences in shaft and splines size/count/type, the system is constructed the same, steering column, that cup (sliding block ujoint), intermediate shaft, rag joint, steering box.

01-09-2022, 09:14 PM	#9
blazer2007 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: vernon b.c. Posts: 3,022	Re: changing steering column thanks,



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