Need help with tilt column - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skokie · 01-29-2008, 11:36 AM

Today I was out working on installing my tilt column I had a issue with the column to firewall seal. It was installed backyards. Without taking the column apart from the bottom end I could not find a way to fix it. I tried reversing it but it kept flipping back over. Stubborn piece of rubber

So I just said hell with it I will cut it, flip it and then it should pop right on. EEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH wrong move.

After I cut it the rubber was kinda shredded. In short I need a new one and have one on order but here is the $64000 question. How do I install it?
Do I need to remove the bottom end of the column to install? Area circled in red in pic.

**KevsClassics** · 01-29-2008, 11:49 AM

If I were you I would take it back to where you got it. You are going to have to completely disassemble the column to remove the shift tube this should be done by an experienced tech.

skokie · 01-29-2008, 11:55 AM

The only thing in my way is the linkage connector on the column. Could you stop at that point? Or by taking that clip off mean that everything is coming out?

**uncle** · 01-29-2008, 12:08 PM

I think it's about impossible to do without cutting the rubber or taking the column apart.

skokie · 01-29-2008, 12:12 PM

Anyone have the tilt column breakdown diagram? Did a search but came up empty.

**Hart_Rod** · 01-29-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skokie

Anyone have the tilt column breakdown diagram? Did a search but came up empty.

Here you go:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157328

skokie · 01-29-2008, 01:53 PM

Thanks Rob.

70GMCer · 01-29-2008, 09:09 PM

This is what I did and didn't have to take the column apart. Some may not agree with this, but tough, it worked for me. I removed the lower clip that holds the bearing in place. I then "Bent" the shifter arm to a point where the rubber seal fits over it. I then straightened the shifter arm back out and re-installed the bearing clip. I didn't have to cut the seal. I've did a few columns like this and have never had an issue with the shifter arm breaking. That arm is thick steel, and would have to take a lot of bending back and forth to break. If you don't want to do this, then take the column apart.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 01-30-2008, 02:57 AM

You can do it without disassembly, I have done it several times it will stretch over the arm!!

neonlarry · 01-30-2008, 06:51 AM

Bending the shift arm is the way I have always gotten them on or off.

CJJ67 · 01-30-2008, 07:39 AM

I bent the arm thing when I did mine. Didn't break so I guess it was o.k. to do it that way.

**uncle** · 01-30-2008, 09:53 AM

Yes, this can be done. I JUST HAD A MAJOR BRAINFART when you asked. That's why this board is so helpful.

01-29-2008, 11:36 AM	#1
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,335	Need help with tilt column Today I was out working on installing my tilt column I had a issue with the column to firewall seal. It was installed backyards. Without taking the column apart from the bottom end I could not find a way to fix it. I tried reversing it but it kept flipping back over. Stubborn piece of rubber So I just said hell with it I will cut it, flip it and then it should pop right on. EEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH wrong move. After I cut it the rubber was kinda shredded. In short I need a new one and have one on order but here is the $64000 question. How do I install it? Do I need to remove the bottom end of the column to install? Area circled in red in pic. Attached Images __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

01-29-2008, 11:49 AM	#2
KevsClassics TILT COLUMN GURU Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 4,276	Re: Need help with tilt column If I were you I would take it back to where you got it. You are going to have to completely disassemble the column to remove the shift tube this should be done by an experienced tech.

01-29-2008, 11:55 AM	#3
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,335	Re: Need help with tilt column The only thing in my way is the linkage connector on the column. Could you stop at that point? Or by taking that clip off mean that everything is coming out? __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

01-29-2008, 12:08 PM	#4
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,287	Re: Need help with tilt column I think it's about impossible to do without cutting the rubber or taking the column apart.

01-29-2008, 12:12 PM	#5
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,335	Re: Need help with tilt column Anyone have the tilt column breakdown diagram? Did a search but came up empty. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

01-29-2008, 01:53 PM	#7
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,335	Re: Need help with tilt column Thanks Rob. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

01-29-2008, 09:09 PM	#8
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: Need help with tilt column This is what I did and didn't have to take the column apart. Some may not agree with this, but tough, it worked for me. I removed the lower clip that holds the bearing in place. I then "Bent" the shifter arm to a point where the rubber seal fits over it. I then straightened the shifter arm back out and re-installed the bearing clip. I didn't have to cut the seal. I've did a few columns like this and have never had an issue with the shifter arm breaking. That arm is thick steel, and would have to take a lot of bending back and forth to break. If you don't want to do this, then take the column apart. __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang Last edited by 70GMCer; 01-29-2008 at 09:12 PM.

01-30-2008, 02:57 AM	#9
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Need help with tilt column You can do it without disassembly, I have done it several times it will stretch over the arm!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

01-30-2008, 06:51 AM	#10
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Re: Need help with tilt column Bending the shift arm is the way I have always gotten them on or off. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

01-30-2008, 07:39 AM	#11
CJJ67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Temecula, Ca. Posts: 64	Re: Need help with tilt column I bent the arm thing when I did mine. Didn't break so I guess it was o.k. to do it that way.

01-30-2008, 09:53 AM	#12
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,287	Re: Need help with tilt column Yes, this can be done. I JUST HAD A MAJOR BRAINFART when you asked. That's why this board is so helpful.



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