Need help with Steering Column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**FL71C10** · 09-27-2013, 09:26 PM

I pulled the non-tilt column from my truck to prepare for interior painting and to replace it with the tilt I bought from member here. They do not look the same, The original column has a detent piece (for lack of a better name) and the tilt column does not. Also, the tilt column has a different style of light for the gear indicator. Does the new one look ok>

Last but not least, the outer tube of the original column is cracked near the backup light switch (or is that the brake light switch) and the tube has begin to separate slightly. Is the column ruined? I have attached some pics.

Thanks!

**FL71C10** · 09-27-2013, 09:27 PM

More pics

**FL71C10** · 09-27-2013, 09:27 PM

Pics of the cracks in the old one

**FL71C10** · 09-27-2013, 10:54 PM

Anyone?
Posted via Mobile Device

**leddzepp** · 09-27-2013, 10:57 PM

Your new tilt column looks great. Bolt it in and go.

**FL71C10** · 09-28-2013, 12:43 AM

so the differences aren't a problem?

**leddzepp** · 09-28-2013, 01:14 AM

Not at all. That is a truck tilt column, they did not have that other piece on the end like the non tilt columns had. The backlight is an actual bulb underneath the housing cover, as opposed to a fiber optic wire used in a non tilt. There should be a separate grey wire with a green plug at the end... that connects to a keyed ignition source on the fuse panel for your backlight.
Posted via Mobile Device

Zable49 · 09-28-2013, 01:22 AM

Hey just saying. If you dont want it, you can ship it this way.

Just kidding, like ZEPP said bolt up and head out. Also make sure you double check your rag joint. Make sure its still useable since it looks like it has a few miles on it.

**FL71C10** · 09-28-2013, 01:59 PM

Anyone have an opinion on the old column? Is it usable as is? I was going to sell it, but now I'm not sure if it's any good.

**derotoreut** · 09-28-2013, 06:49 PM

The new columns don't have he detent in them like the original. You just have to line it up and bolt it in place.

hugger6933 · 09-28-2013, 09:52 PM

That tilt column is fine you are gonna love it, if the separation is bothering you, push on it and tap it lightly with a chisel tip where that tang fits into the groove to see if that will tighten it up. Other than that small cosmetic flaw that nobody will ever see I don't think it will ever hinder the performance of the column in any way. And if somebody does see the flaw in the column under the dash of your truck, they are WAY to nosey!! Jim

09-27-2013, 09:26 PM	#1
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Need help with Steering Column I pulled the non-tilt column from my truck to prepare for interior painting and to replace it with the tilt I bought from member here. They do not look the same, The original column has a detent piece (for lack of a better name) and the tilt column does not. Also, the tilt column has a different style of light for the gear indicator. Does the new one look ok> Last but not least, the outer tube of the original column is cracked near the backup light switch (or is that the brake light switch) and the tube has begin to separate slightly. Is the column ruined? I have attached some pics. Thanks! Attached Images __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now. Last edited by FL71C10; 09-27-2013 at 09:42 PM.

09-27-2013, 09:27 PM	#2
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Re: Need help with Steering Column More pics Attached Images __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

09-27-2013, 09:27 PM	#3
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Re: Need help with Steering Column Pics of the cracks in the old one Attached Images __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

09-27-2013, 10:54 PM	#4
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Re: Need help with Steering Column Anyone? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

09-27-2013, 10:57 PM	#5
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,117	Re: Need help with Steering Column Your new tilt column looks great. Bolt it in and go. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

09-28-2013, 12:43 AM	#6
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Re: Need help with Steering Column so the differences aren't a problem? __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

09-28-2013, 01:14 AM	#7
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,117	Re: Need help with Steering Column Not at all. That is a truck tilt column, they did not have that other piece on the end like the non tilt columns had. The backlight is an actual bulb underneath the housing cover, as opposed to a fiber optic wire used in a non tilt. There should be a separate grey wire with a green plug at the end... that connects to a keyed ignition source on the fuse panel for your backlight. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

09-28-2013, 01:22 AM	#8
Zable49 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lacey, Wa Posts: 181	Re: Need help with Steering Column Hey just saying. If you dont want it, you can ship it this way. Just kidding, like ZEPP said bolt up and head out. Also make sure you double check your rag joint. Make sure its still useable since it looks like it has a few miles on it. __________________ 1970 C20 Camper Special SBC350 / TH350 '84 C20 Front Disc Brakes/Control Arms

09-28-2013, 01:59 PM	#9
FL71C10 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 2,514	Re: Need help with Steering Column Anyone have an opinion on the old column? Is it usable as is? I was going to sell it, but now I'm not sure if it's any good. __________________ 71 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside. LT1 with 4l60E. Just got back from painter, in assembly now.

09-28-2013, 06:49 PM	#10
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,853	Re: Need help with Steering Column The new columns don't have he detent in them like the original. You just have to line it up and bolt it in place. __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977

09-28-2013, 09:52 PM	#11
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Need help with Steering Column That tilt column is fine you are gonna love it, if the separation is bothering you, push on it and tap it lightly with a chisel tip where that tang fits into the groove to see if that will tighten it up. Other than that small cosmetic flaw that nobody will ever see I don't think it will ever hinder the performance of the column in any way. And if somebody does see the flaw in the column under the dash of your truck, they are WAY to nosey!! Jim



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