Steering Column Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stevewhitmore · 04-12-2009, 07:34 PM

Hey Guys,
So far you have really helped this new guy out so here I am again.
The steering column in my 69 SB appears to be the original but not sure because the glove box decal says powerglide with a 6 cyl, but I have a 307 (I think) with a 350 trans. The column reads P, R, N, D, L2, L1
The problem is it is real sloppy and can be shifted easily without even pulling the lever back and I am afraid of it bumping in or out of a gear going down the road. The only real detent feeling seems to be coming from the trans linkage.
Any thoughts would be appreciated
Thanks again for all the previous help

heavy71chevy · 04-12-2009, 07:57 PM

Colomn linkage sounds real loose..you can tighten up under the hood or in my case I shaved the arm off and bezel and went to a B&M floor shift

Longhorn Man · 04-12-2009, 08:03 PM

its a common problem steming from a poor design. You can try spraying a bunch of lightweight lube (like PB blaster) in the shift handle hole and working the shifter back and forth (pushing and pulling) and then in any opening on the column under the hood.
Honestly, that is 1/2 the reason IO have put tilts in all my trucks, just to get rid of that old style shifter tube.

70Custom10Nut · 04-12-2009, 08:55 PM

Yes, this is the very reason I went to the tilt. I figured if I had to by a new column, I might as well put in the tilt unit. Mine got so stiff that I bent the little ball at the bottom of the shift lever. If you go the route of the tilt, do yourself a favor of getting at least a new rebuild, because as much as I like mine I've had to replace quite a few parts, and that has put my total cost comparable with a rebuilt. The swap is easy, but beware some on e-bay will try to sell van units as truck, and yes they can be converted (by someone who knows how) they will not just "bolt in". Good luck, Cnut

Southpa · 04-12-2009, 09:46 PM

The van tilt only requires shortening the steering arm by 3 or 4" and relocating the neutral safety switch which is in the path of the brake pedal arm.

**KevsClassics** · 04-12-2009, 11:29 PM

Hey I got van tilts rebuilt & converted Ready to bolt in.

stevewhitmore · 04-13-2009, 12:09 PM

Hey Longhorn,
Thanks for the info and I hope it is that easy, but will the PB Blaster harm any of the the electrical in the column?
Thanks

Sport/Truck · 04-13-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevewhitmore

Hey Longhorn,
Thanks for the info and I hope it is that easy, but will the PB Blaster harm any of the the electrical in the column?
Thanks

I use Gibbs oil to clean all my wires. I don't think PB Blaster will hurt them.
s/t

Longhorn Man · 04-13-2009, 04:19 PM

No problems at all. If you have carpeting, you may want to put something down to cover the carpet and catch the extra oil.

04-12-2009, 07:34 PM	#1
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Steering Column Help Hey Guys, So far you have really helped this new guy out so here I am again. The steering column in my 69 SB appears to be the original but not sure because the glove box decal says powerglide with a 6 cyl, but I have a 307 (I think) with a 350 trans. The column reads P, R, N, D, L2, L1 The problem is it is real sloppy and can be shifted easily without even pulling the lever back and I am afraid of it bumping in or out of a gear going down the road. The only real detent feeling seems to be coming from the trans linkage. Any thoughts would be appreciated Thanks again for all the previous help

04-12-2009, 07:57 PM	#2
heavy71chevy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: antreville, south carolina Posts: 873	Re: Steering Column Help Colomn linkage sounds real loose..you can tighten up under the hood or in my case I shaved the arm off and bezel and went to a B&M floor shift __________________ "Dixie Destroyer" 71 C10 LWB Fleet Future Blown Prostreet Monster

04-12-2009, 08:03 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Steering Column Help its a common problem steming from a poor design. You can try spraying a bunch of lightweight lube (like PB blaster) in the shift handle hole and working the shifter back and forth (pushing and pulling) and then in any opening on the column under the hood. Honestly, that is 1/2 the reason IO have put tilts in all my trucks, just to get rid of that old style shifter tube.

04-12-2009, 08:55 PM	#4
70Custom10Nut Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vilseck Germany (currently) Posts: 317	Re: Steering Column Help Yes, this is the very reason I went to the tilt. I figured if I had to by a new column, I might as well put in the tilt unit. Mine got so stiff that I bent the little ball at the bottom of the shift lever. If you go the route of the tilt, do yourself a favor of getting at least a new rebuild, because as much as I like mine I've had to replace quite a few parts, and that has put my total cost comparable with a rebuilt. The swap is easy, but beware some on e-bay will try to sell van units as truck, and yes they can be converted (by someone who knows how) they will not just "bolt in". Good luck, Cnut

04-12-2009, 09:46 PM	#5
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	Re: Steering Column Help The van tilt only requires shortening the steering arm by 3 or 4" and relocating the neutral safety switch which is in the path of the brake pedal arm. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-12-2009, 11:29 PM	#6
KevsClassics TILT COLUMN GURU Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 4,276	Re: Steering Column Help Hey I got van tilts rebuilt & converted Ready to bolt in. __________________ Instagram kevs_classics64 64 Impala SS Conv 72 Blazer 2wd 75 Jimmy 2wd 63 Belair wagon 02 Silverado ext cab. DD RIP EL JAY

04-13-2009, 12:09 PM	#7
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Re: Steering Column Help Hey Longhorn, Thanks for the info and I hope it is that easy, but will the PB Blaster harm any of the the electrical in the column? Thanks

04-13-2009, 04:19 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Steering Column Help No problems at all. If you have carpeting, you may want to put something down to cover the carpet and catch the extra oil. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 04-13-2009 at 04:19 PM.



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