1985 steering column shelled out - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Keyser · 02-06-2006, 05:44 PM

I just got a 1985 k20 with a 350 and a 4 speed manual. The steering column is shot. The assembly will just whirl and rotate all over the place. If you get it just right it will even kill the engine. Do i need a replacement or can it be rebuilt fairly easily and cheaply? If I am not explaining it well enough let me know and i will try to help you help me

Thanks

82 Silverado 4X · 02-06-2006, 07:21 PM

Is this a tilt wheel?

Keyser · 02-06-2006, 08:10 PM

yes it is tilt.

82 Silverado 4X · 02-06-2006, 08:19 PM

There are 4 Torx headed bolts that hold the tilt assembly together that have worked their way loose. Driving it like it is very dangerous but more importantly can cause a wiring fire in your columb if one of the wires in there shorts out if it gets pinched.
You can repair it yourself with the right specialty tools which can be purchased at places like AutoZone, Advance, Carquest or Napa. I beleive there is a post somewhere here on doing this repair.

82 Silverado 4X · 02-06-2006, 08:32 PM

You'll need screwdrivers, socket set, steering wheel puller, lock plate remover, and a set of torx head sockets to tighten the torx head bolts after you get it apart. To get to all 4 bolts the tilt part of the columb needs to be taken apart completely. On my son's car I left the tilt together and just tightened the 3 bolts that I could get to. I removed the 4th bolt with a magnet and left it out completely. It still works fine.

Slonaker · 02-06-2006, 09:28 PM

I posted some links to sites showing how to do this a week or two ago. You should be able to find the post using search.

Slonaker

Keyser · 02-07-2006, 10:31 AM

Ok i found the instructions that you added to the other thread. I will try to get to this soon and let you know how it goes. Considering what I paid for this and the fact that it had been sitting since 1999 I think this is a minor problem to have to try and fix. I mean I bought the truck with a working plow for $500

Keyser · 02-07-2006, 10:37 AM

Also since I have you attention the key does not want to flip back when I am starting it. It sticks on start and you have to turn it back to disengage the starter without turning it too far and shutting it off. I managed to shut it off 4 times in a row the first day I had it. Is there a spring or something similar that needs to be replaced?

79BIG10 · 02-07-2006, 04:11 PM

There's a rod linkage that goes down further into the column on the top. It works like a slider along an electrical contact board. I'm thinking there is a spring along it in there.

Keyser · 03-02-2006, 02:13 PM

Finally looked at it last weekend. Its way beyond tightening the bolts. Didn't help at all. What are my cheap options? I don't really want to put a bunch of money into a truck i drive 4-5 times a year.

85X3 · 03-02-2006, 11:34 PM

Replace it with a non-tilt column. lot's cheaper.

Keyser · 03-03-2006, 10:17 AM

Where do I get my hands on an inexpensive non-tilt column? I guess as long as it doesn't snow again there is no rush.

beaterC10 · 03-03-2006, 10:48 AM

If you just need a cheap column you might consider an auto trans column shift column. The four speed column columns can be tough to find.

Keyser · 03-03-2006, 10:54 AM

So I can use either an auto or a manual column and either tilt or nontilt in this truck. What years will work. Apparently the guy who had it before rewired some stuff in the column. The misters are on a tiggle switch. The wipers turn on, but there is a separate box for the delay (which doesn't work). Anyone have a column that would work that they want ot get rid of really cheaply?

Chevrolet4x4s · 03-04-2006, 03:29 PM

Look in junkyards usually round 50 for auto tilt one

02-06-2006, 05:44 PM	#1
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	1985 steering column shelled out I just got a 1985 k20 with a 350 and a 4 speed manual. The steering column is shot. The assembly will just whirl and rotate all over the place. If you get it just right it will even kill the engine. Do i need a replacement or can it be rebuilt fairly easily and cheaply? If I am not explaining it well enough let me know and i will try to help you help me Thanks

02-06-2006, 07:21 PM	#2
82 Silverado 4X Genuine Chevrolet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South West Pennsylvania. Posts: 582	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Is this a tilt wheel? __________________ George 82 Silverado LWB 4x4 350 SM465 NP208 77 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 400 TH350 NP203

02-06-2006, 08:10 PM	#3
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out yes it is tilt.

02-06-2006, 08:19 PM	#4
82 Silverado 4X Genuine Chevrolet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South West Pennsylvania. Posts: 582	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out There are 4 Torx headed bolts that hold the tilt assembly together that have worked their way loose. Driving it like it is very dangerous but more importantly can cause a wiring fire in your columb if one of the wires in there shorts out if it gets pinched. You can repair it yourself with the right specialty tools which can be purchased at places like AutoZone, Advance, Carquest or Napa. I beleive there is a post somewhere here on doing this repair. __________________ George 82 Silverado LWB 4x4 350 SM465 NP208 77 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 400 TH350 NP203

02-06-2006, 08:32 PM	#5
82 Silverado 4X Genuine Chevrolet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South West Pennsylvania. Posts: 582	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out You'll need screwdrivers, socket set, steering wheel puller, lock plate remover, and a set of torx head sockets to tighten the torx head bolts after you get it apart. To get to all 4 bolts the tilt part of the columb needs to be taken apart completely. On my son's car I left the tilt together and just tightened the 3 bolts that I could get to. I removed the 4th bolt with a magnet and left it out completely. It still works fine. __________________ George 82 Silverado LWB 4x4 350 SM465 NP208 77 Chevrolet Blazer Chalet 400 TH350 NP203

02-06-2006, 09:28 PM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out I posted some links to sites showing how to do this a week or two ago. You should be able to find the post using search. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

02-07-2006, 10:31 AM	#7
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Ok i found the instructions that you added to the other thread. I will try to get to this soon and let you know how it goes. Considering what I paid for this and the fact that it had been sitting since 1999 I think this is a minor problem to have to try and fix. I mean I bought the truck with a working plow for $500

02-07-2006, 10:37 AM	#8
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Also since I have you attention the key does not want to flip back when I am starting it. It sticks on start and you have to turn it back to disengage the starter without turning it too far and shutting it off. I managed to shut it off 4 times in a row the first day I had it. Is there a spring or something similar that needs to be replaced?

02-07-2006, 04:11 PM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out There's a rod linkage that goes down further into the column on the top. It works like a slider along an electrical contact board. I'm thinking there is a spring along it in there. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

03-02-2006, 02:13 PM	#10
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Finally looked at it last weekend. Its way beyond tightening the bolts. Didn't help at all. What are my cheap options? I don't really want to put a bunch of money into a truck i drive 4-5 times a year.

03-02-2006, 11:34 PM	#11
85X3 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mid MI Posts: 67	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Replace it with a non-tilt column. lot's cheaper.

03-03-2006, 10:17 AM	#12
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Where do I get my hands on an inexpensive non-tilt column? I guess as long as it doesn't snow again there is no rush.

03-03-2006, 10:48 AM	#13
beaterC10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,277	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out If you just need a cheap column you might consider an auto trans column shift column. The four speed column columns can be tough to find.

03-03-2006, 10:54 AM	#14
Keyser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 14	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out So I can use either an auto or a manual column and either tilt or nontilt in this truck. What years will work. Apparently the guy who had it before rewired some stuff in the column. The misters are on a tiggle switch. The wipers turn on, but there is a separate box for the delay (which doesn't work). Anyone have a column that would work that they want ot get rid of really cheaply?

03-04-2006, 03:29 PM	#15
Chevrolet4x4s Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: WV Posts: 227	Re: 1985 steering column shelled out Look in junkyards usually round 50 for auto tilt one __________________ 1993 K1500 350 5 speed 1985 K10 Silverado Vortec 406 5 speed (in body shop) "I been drivin' this '85 pickup truck Them buddies of mine call it a bucket of rust She's a little beat up but she still runs like the wind Yeah, kinda like me I been banged and bruisedBeen around the block a time or two But I'm runnin' like new goin' places I never been No, I ain't broke I'm just broken in" 1963 Dodge Townwagon(its amazng what 30 years and zero miles will do to a vehicle ) Member#20327



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