Diggler86

TA broke into last night... stereo ripped out, some tools taken.

stereo pod damaged... t-top trim ripped off....

i hate thieves...

WORST:

they broke the steering column plastic piece (largest piece that runs most of the way) towards the bottom. they didnt even cut any wires though, wtf?

how do i replace this piece?? it looks like a big ordeal. any hints let me know, thanks. getting a boneyard one should not be a problem just need to know how to r&r.

70BuickSleeper

Your prolly going to need a replacement steering column - junk yard or ebay. I got one for I think 40 shipped to me. The columns broken because they werent just trying to take your stuff, they tried to take the whole car. If you break the side plastic off the column, theres a rod that runs the length of it to a switch at the base. You can get the car to start without the key and very little effort. My 84 first belonged to my brother, the car was then stollen. They took the subs, 600 dollar amp, and head unit. For some reason they left the infinity speakers in the dash and sail panels. They also took the car for a joy ride, and put the pass side rims into the curbs several times. A few weeks later, the car was found at a General Motors plant here in NJ.... She went home. haha I paid impound fees and towing. Put new tires on it, and steering column and now its mine. Good luck and get an alarm or some sort of kill switch.

85_ZED28

can you edit that little tip out of your post? keep that stuff quiet man

SLP IROC-Z

iTrader: (1)

theres nuthing secretive about that, ive known how to steal GM cars with this style column since i was 9 years old.
fords are even easier, slide hammer, rip the ignition solenoid out, stick a screw driver in there and ur off.

70BuickSleeper

I understand the fear of letting people know about that, but its very common. Besides, the more people that know about it, then more people will protect their cars from it, and less third gens will be stolen. SLP IROC-Z is completely right.

Diggler86

a whole steering column?!? jeeeez. M-Fer's! that sounds hard to do?

i do have a kill switch. i dont know about this rod you speak of, but they didnt cut any wires and didnt get my car at least. hopefully they wont come back.

i did have an alarm but the stray cat kept setting it off for some reason it loves dancing on my hood. so my neighbors got pissed and i took it off. should have kept it on my door trigger tho i guess.

70BuickSleeper

Its not that hard to change out, the key is to make sure the wheels and steering wheel are straight before you start taking things apart. Its not that big of a job, just need some time and a few beers. Did you have the kill switch on that night? If so, thats why you still have your car.

Diggler86

Cool... yes, since I took the alarm off I ALWAYS use the kill switch.

Diggler86

PS. do I need any special tools? steering wheel puller, etc.

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

Not Appearance and Detailing related.. moving to Interior.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

without the kickpanels i can reach my hand ontop of my column and ull the rod turns the key and starts the car and unlocks the wheel without any dammage...its scary cause some camaros didnt come with it...

Dragroc

You can change out the plastic collar that they broke without having to replace the whole column. This part is still available at the dealerships, cause about 2 years ago I walked out on some guys trying to steal mine and they had busted that plastic sleeve. Just make sure that the rod isn't damaged. And you will need a steering wheel puller to get it off and knowledge of how to get everything back together, I had parts all over my dash while doing mine.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

Remember to get a column that has the same options that you now have.
Are you sure it was the cat setting off your alarm? The theives may have been trying to get you to shut your alarm off. I have a pager go off when someone messes with my car. Nobody knows the alarm went off but me.

Diggler86

ok, not much luck at the junkyard finding steering columns that werent already busted up...

can i put one on my 86 from a 87 and up (they all had VATS right?). would it still be plug and play?

would camaro be same as firebird, vice color?

Diggler86

hmmm... i couldnt see a way to get it off but youre telling me that if i take the guts out of the column it will slide off??

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

Did you try the classifieds on this site? I just ordered one from someone parting thier car out. Try asking under parts wanted and email ones parting out entire cars. I was sent one from an 89 and he included the key as well! I think it was around $50.

Dragroc

Yes. Pics...

Dragroc

#2

Gr89RS

iTrader: (5)

Hey man i know how you feel i had my stereo stolen out of my car a few months ago. Hey and i only live about five miles from you(i live in cypress) i wonder if someone is going thirdgen hunting in our area???My advice to you is get the hell out of Long Beach. Anyways good luck with your car..see ya around.

waltersb

Do a search here, there's instructions posted about 'how to tighten up a tilt steering column'

it might be in the how-to. Pretty much every steering column fits, from all 3rd gen f-bodies.

I bought the plastic sleeve from GM for like $165 CAD

I replaced the same parts from a donor column for $20, had a buddy who parted a car.

Diggler86

technically im in signal hill, which is a little better but still a few blocks from the hood.

they hit another car the same night at my complex. cops got prints but they havent been able to track them down.

Gr89RS

iTrader: (5)

yeah but don't think the boys in the hood don't know that signal hill is a better community....that's probablly what happened was a few gangsters went searching for nice cars in your area and they obviously succeeded because they found a third gen!!

slim84maro

that suck they ar hard to replace. my old car didnt come with keys so i had to rip apart the coloum directly across from the key hole and then brake off a piece of metal and then use needle nose plyers and pull back. they most not have known what they where doing. i say carry a gun and find who did it and kill them and feed em to the pigs. no 1 will ever find them.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

ive had to replace a worn out ignition cylinder not fun that was on my 83 you need all sorts of special tools,

the bad part is my 89 is also worn out now too....ima pay a locksmith this time...this time its not as bad my 83 you could take the key out while running it was so bad, on my iroc it just sticks and doenst want to turn right

and i may have a column from a 92rs for you...my gf just wrecked it lastnight.....well see if she buys the car back or not

Diggler86

i'm still not sure about the VATS in a newer year column and how that will effect installation??

waltersb

I am, I've replaced my key cyllinder with vats.... do a search, I've described it somewhere...

Diggler86

yeah from what ive read you just have to replace the cylinder as well, i guess its a different size.

heres a good link to instrustions on taking apart column:
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...teering+column

i was stuck on the pivot pin!

not sure which way im going to go. easier to just replace whole thing, but would be nice to find a '86.

cheaper to do just plastic piece, but a PITA.

therckid

hmmmmm whats a ill switch and how do you install one?

Cali Z

lol, it's a KILL switch and it can be wired up to a battery, fuel pump, to prevent the vehicle from starting, or as a safety measure in some situations.