Removing steering column
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Removing steering column
Hey all. I've got a little problem here. The ingition switch is fried on my 86 berlinetta. Not the switch where you put the key in, the one where the actuall electrical is... on top of the steering column. I've got the steering wheel off, and the column is loose from the dashboard... but how do you get the column the rest of the way out?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 229
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From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1991 Z28 clone & 1985 Fiero 2M4
Engine: 305 TPI (In Progress, Camaro) & 2.5L 4 cyl soon to be 3.4
Transmission: 700R4 (Camaro) & Isuzu 5 speed (Fiero)
3 or 4 bolts in the firewall and then one that runs from the column to the power steering box about mid way under the master cylinder.
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From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
As said, loosen (they don't have to be taken all the way out) the 3 hex screws at the firewall. The steering wheel has nothing to do with this so it can stay on. There are also 4 13mm nuts holding it to the dash (seen after the 'hush' panel is removed from the underside of the dash). After, the column can be dropped and access to the switch for replacement is easier.
There is no need to loosen anything under the hood.
There is no need to loosen anything under the hood.
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I've got the 4 bolts under the dash out all right, are the hex screws in the firewall on the inside of the car or in the engine compartment?
It might be easier if I had a picture. The Haynes is completely useless, and the Chiltons I got from the library is too generic... not specific enough to the Camaro.
It might be easier if I had a picture. The Haynes is completely useless, and the Chiltons I got from the library is too generic... not specific enough to the Camaro.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Originally posted by sixstringsoul
The Haynes is completely useless
The Haynes is completely useless
They are on the inside.. (obviously one is hidden by the harness plug but.. I've only 2 hands)...
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,168
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From: Marietta, GA
Car: '91 Firebird Convertible
Engine: 305 TBI (LO3)
Transmission: 700r4, Vette Servo
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 Bolt, PBR disks
Originally posted by deadbird
Not completely... It starts my woodburner nicely in the winter months
They are on the inside.. (obviously one is hidden by the harness plug but.. I've only 2 hands)...
Not completely... It starts my woodburner nicely in the winter months
They are on the inside.. (obviously one is hidden by the harness plug but.. I've only 2 hands)...
Key Switch Question
Gonna quote the kinda fella named badjuju324:
hold the phone!!!!!! most likely it is NOT your key switch.there is a rod that runs down your column to the actual ignition switch on the lower 1/2 of the column . the key switch itself only operates this rod. the ignition is notorious for getting out of adjustment from vibration over the last 20 or some odd years. it very simple fix , a 10mm , 8mm and 7mm wrench is required to fix it . the switch is located at the top of the lower 1/2 of column . look for a white plastic piece with larger gauge red , yellow, pink , orange and brown wires coming out of it. loosen the nuts, bolts securing it but don't take them all the way off. notice the mounting holes are elongated so gently slide the switch back and forth until you get it into the acc position then snug it back up . proceed to check the run &start positions from there . cost to fix :0.00 ,getting your acc.position back : priceless.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: 62656
Car: 1991 S10 pickup 2700lbs
Engine: 4.3L Z TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.08 7.625"
and when you pull the column you just ned to unplug that switch and the safety neutral switch and the flat harness, and take out the small screws at the firewall seal boot and the two 13mm nuts that hold the column itself to underisde of dash, ive never had to remove the four gold colored bolts to remove a column, thats optional,
under hood just take out the bolt and nut that go through the shaft and separate the shaft there,
column comes out the, with steering wheel, there may be a linkage to column from shifter on auto trans models,
the column still shifts in these cars even though they have a floor cable shift, the second gens were like this too, you could shift the auto trans if you grabbed a hold of the column upper collar with both hands and rotated it, if the shifter lets you do it without locking in a position
good luck
under hood just take out the bolt and nut that go through the shaft and separate the shaft there,
column comes out the, with steering wheel, there may be a linkage to column from shifter on auto trans models,
the column still shifts in these cars even though they have a floor cable shift, the second gens were like this too, you could shift the auto trans if you grabbed a hold of the column upper collar with both hands and rotated it, if the shifter lets you do it without locking in a position
good luck
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,775
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From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Originally posted by Cadillac
I've got to dig around down here too because my key will not turn backward to run the accessories.
I've got to dig around down here too because my key will not turn backward to run the accessories.
Thread Starter
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Excellent advice guys, Thanks for all the help. I can hardly wait to get to work... unfortunatly I've got to leave town for a gig this weekend... it'll have to wait till Sunday or Monday night. I'll let you know how it goes.
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