greasegrenade

I want to get rid of a worn out/broke tilt column and replace it.I found a 82 column.I have already bypassed the VATS.Anyone know if this will interchange?

AkDrifted

iTrader: (1)

Depending on the problem you're having why not just rebuild it? The most common issue is the tilt bolts loosen up and feel like the steering wheel is a loose tooth. They just need to be tightened. Shouldn't cost you anything but small bottle of lock tight and the cost to rent the tools from an auto parts store. Which is refunded when you return them. It's not hard to do just a little frustrating on a few spots. I recommend the tool kit from auto zone to do it. More complete then the others and has the correct spacing for the steering wheel puller. Here is the 2 best write ups on it:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/suspension-chassis/518681-how-tighten-tilt-steering.html

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/interior/536485-air-bag-wheel-grant.html
Hope that helps.

greasegrenade

thanks for the input ,however the guy I got the car from drove it with the tilt real loose.This cracked the collar behind the pivot pin housing.I had it apart last year and jb welded the broke housing.Cant find a new housing.It has started loosening back up.I'm sure my jb is cracking .I don't want to pull the column out unless I can swap a non tilt in.
I don't want another worn out tilt .

Zane M

iTrader: (1)

The ignition tumbler from your '89 will not fit in the collar of the '82. If you still have the original you will have to change to a non-VATS style or swap out the collar from the '89.(or use the tumbler in the '82 if you have the key with it).
I "think" the harness connected to the turn signal cam will match up, but if it doesn't you can take the assembly out of the '89 column and swap it over.
The wiring for your multi function switch(turn stalk) likely won't match up either, so you will probably need to take that off the '89 column.

These responses are based on my recent experience putting a '87 column in a '91.

Short answer is it will physically bolt in, but you are likely going to have to swap the wired components over from the '89 column to match up the the car harness.

novaderrik

i put a newer column in my 86.. not sure what year it was, but it had an airbag steering wheel on it and a VATs key... the plug for the wipers and what not was different, which i took care of by just popping the wires out of the plug on the new column and using the old one.. the wires were colored the same, so it was a 5 minute job.
other than that, it was a bolt in swap. i did notice that the wheel was about 3/4" closer to me with the new column- which i liked- so your wheel will be that much farther away from you. it doesn't seem like a lot, but it took a bit of getting used to.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

If you install a 82 column into your 89 you will not have working wipers. The 82-83 Wiper system is not compatible with anything after 83.

novaderrik

it's easy to rewire it to work- but it will be kind of funky.. had an 83 Trans Am column in my 86 Camaro for a few years, and i figured out how to rewire the plug to get wipers on only high speed... and i had to manually park them and shut the switch off at exactly the right time... i got used to it, but no one else could figure it out which was kind of comical to me. then when i put the later column in it last summer, it took me a while to get used to having wipers that work like they should...

greasegrenade

can i just swap the wiper switch from the 89 to the 82 column?

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

I don't KNOW.

I've got to assume it's possible/probable - but have never done it myself.........

greasegrenade

Update...Ok I have installed a Non tilt-column ( not sure of year, pre Vats for sure). I did lose pulse wipers.Wipers work only on 2 speeds..Wiper switch from tilt totally different from non tilt.Electric connectors are the same however.Turn signal switches are the same on these columns.I miss my pulse/delay wipers.There is a switch available but its spendy...

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Thanx for posting that update; It's been a long time since I was inside a non-tilt column and I had forgotten that the blinker switch was changed !

Wasn't there a change to the cancel cam too ??? 1 white one (tilt) and 1 green one (non-tilt) or something ?!?

greasegrenade

yea the cancel cams are different colors(one is taller than the other) ,The turn signal switches are the same however.I used the tilt switch in the non tilt column because the
hazard was broke off the non tilt switch.Wiper switches are way different .I would like to find a delay switch for a non tilt now(rare?).