82 tilt auto steering column questions

[Fast68Chevy]

need ot knwo what the most common causes of severe sloppiness of the transmission shifter handle are on the '82 K-10 4x4 TH700R4 steering columns. My stepdads K-10 column also is sterting to have a problem with the shifter not working well with the ignition switch and it feel like the resistance spring has broken or fell out of place inside of the column for the shifter, its very sloppy.

Is it time for a replacement column ?
need ot know pretty quick, as he is tearing down his column tonight right now, and he wants me to have all the answers, and I dont though.

thanks for anything

------------------
It's 68's or bust !!!
Randy- Lincoln, IL r68c30@hotmail.com
217 735 3230
-'68 C-10(model#CS10905) panel dvry- the big project!
-'68 C-30 1 ton dually,
-'77 Buick Electra 403/Th350 LTD 8.5" rear
-'79 G-20 9 passenger van 350/TH350
-'79 white Cadillac De Ville Limousine 425/TH400
-'88 lil red Chysler LeBaron 2.5L/31TH
-Following to be built as '68's:
-72 4x4 K-5 almost rolling chassis,
-71 LWB 4x2 coil longbed rolling chassis and cab-should be here soon- is the next project MSN messenger

[gchemist]

Fast68Chevy,

The sloppyness is probably due to wear on the bushings that connect the linkages. Check for any worn out parts. If the tilt is loose then you need to tighten the screws inside the column. If the ignition switch is loose I would replace it.

------------------
Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

[Fast68Chevy]

well the prboelm is that the switch wont work in comjunction with the shifitng mechanisms inside, has gotten worse rapidly lately. first the resistance spring broke or fell out of place, and caused the handle to be sloppy, and now the switch isnt turnign easily unless you move the shifter handle around just right.

same problem in my brother';s '92 S-10 tilt truck, even though its a totaly different design


thanks for any further info about what can be done.



------------------
It's 68's or bust !!!
Randy- Lincoln, IL r68c30@hotmail.com
217 735 3230
-'68 C-10(model#CS10905) panel dvry- the big project!
-'68 C-30 1 ton dually,
-'77 Buick Electra 403/Th350 LTD 8.5" rear
-'79 G-20 9 passenger van 350/TH350
-'79 white Cadillac De Ville Limousine 425/TH400
-'88 lil red Chysler LeBaron 2.5L/31TH
-Following to be built as '68's:
-72 4x4 K-5 almost rolling chassis,
-71 LWB 4x2 coil longbed rolling chassis and cab-should be here soon- is the next project MSN messenger

[gchemist]

Fast68Chevy,

From what you describe, I can only suggest you that change the key cylinder.

------------------
Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

[Fast68Chevy]

would it be that simple ? He has the 82 column torn down halfway, still installed in the truck, and he thinks he would be saving time and trouble if he just takes the auto tilt column out of the '79 3/4 ton truck out in the back, "the old wood truck", and makes a column swap.

would he be, or are 73-80 and 81-87 columns even swappable, I thought they changed the firewalls in 81 ?

and why is the intermediate steering shaft from the end of the column down to the steering box look so crooked ? like the steering box and frame rail is too far towards the driver side, you can see the misalignment at the rubber dust boot joint at the end of the column under the hood.
he did plow pretty hard into a snowy ditch last winter out in the country, and knocked the truck out of alignment- and then he did a redneck fix by putting the steering wheel back on the column so it was straight again.
Tire wear looks perfect after a year however...

Is it just a 4x4 thing that makes the intermediate shaft crooked towards the driver side of the truck ? ?

thanks for anything

[This message has been edited by Fast68Chevy (edited 12-06-2001).]

[gchemist]

Fast68Chevy,

If remember correctly all the tilt steering columns are interchangeable. The only difference is that in 84 and later the light switch and the cruise control were put on the same switch (turn signal). I would swap the columns if the old one is sturdy and tight. If the shaft to the steering box is misaligned I would try to staigthen it out some.

------------------
Gerardo
1983 Custom Truck
TX Plates: "BAD BOW"
http://www.geocities.com/abetterchemist/

[Fast68Chevy]

no way to straighten it out though, either the frame rail is bent or the cab is out of place, and the cab mounts and supports are unrusted, so....hmmm.... i think he did some damage when running the truck off the road last winter..

he is replacing a lower driver side balljoint today and its only 4 months old and is junk already. hmmmm.... even though the tire wear looks perfect, I still think he wacked the frame or something out of alignment

------------------
It's 68's or bust !!!
Randy- Lincoln, IL r68c30@hotmail.com
217 735 3230
-'68 C-10(model#CS10905) panel dvry- the big project!
-'68 C-30 1 ton dually,
-'77 Buick Electra 403/Th350 LTD 8.5" rear
-'79 G-20 9 passenger van 350/TH350
-'79 white Cadillac De Ville Limousine 425/TH400
-'88 lil red Chysler LeBaron 2.5L/31TH
-Following to be built as '68's:
-72 4x4 K-5 almost rolling chassis,
-71 LWB 4x2 coil longbed rolling chassis and cab-should be here soon- is the next project MSN messenger