how hard is it to replace the whole steering colum? also how can this be done and what will i need besides removing the wheel. i need to replace mine as soon as possible.

 

well when i did it let me tell ya....prolly the most annoying thing i have ever done to my car. there is a ton to know about it but its kinda just a thing you have to do. a exploded diagram of the column will help a lot and you need a steering wheel puller... you can rent one from auto zone or another parts store. then once you get in there it gets real ugly so make sure you pay attention to the diagram..ill try to post it soon i just gotta find it..

 

Why are you replacing it?

Rich

 

Replacing a entire steering column is quite simple as long as the new donor column is the same (tile, delay wipers..). There is a few trim pieces to take off, 2 bolts that hold it to the dash support, 3 that hold it to the firewall & 1 bolt that holds it to the intermediate shaft (connects it to the ps box). In all, it take about 30 mins to remove & the same to install. It takes about an hour to remove the steering wheel & change out the ignition cylinders.

RBud.. I replaced mine 2 times because replacing the whole column is easier than trying to disassemble the p.o.s. to fix the tilt than to replace the whole column for $15 (u-pull price) and swap out ignition cyls. But, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

My take on it is why swap out and posibly have the same loose tilt in the future. If you have the right tools it takes a couple of hours but then you slap the loctite on the bolts and forget it ever happened. Just my opinion.

Rich

 

its not a problem with the tilt. all the internal springs and plastic parts are busted and cannot be repaired. what kinda colum will fit the same? can it be of any gm car of those years? does anyone have a picture or anything to show me what must be removed?

P.S thanks for the replies so far

 

82 to 89 should fit. my 87 has a 86 firebird column in it. I noticed the yellow riting "86 firebird" on it when I was fixing a blinker problem. I have never changed one but it should be simple enough to follow along with a chiltons manual.

Rich

 

I've never taken mine out but I took it apart. There are also two connections that you have to disconnect. One for the wipers/cruise control which is a little one wire connection and one for the turn signal stuff, which is a bunch of wires with one connection, both of these are at the bottom of the column. Oh, you'll probably also have a VATS connection that you'll have to disconect, if yours wasn't removed. Since you have a 90 which has an air bag, you might be limited to 90 - 92 columns since I think it's illegal to remove the air bag. You'll also need a lock plate compressor to get to the lock cylinder, which is about $15 if you buy it.

 

i already got the bag off, will any 82-92 colum work

 

If your not using an air bag, an 82 - 92 Camaro or Firebird column with the same kind of wipers and cruise control should work without a problem.

 

hey thanks everyone for the info. it was greatly appreciated.