Steering column replacement. Need advice.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Steering column replacement. Need advice.
My column is old and worn. Tilt is loose. Hazards don’t work. Turn signals are finicky. and now my key won’t start the car or accessories. I need to replace it.
What do y’all think?
1975 coupe.
Found this for sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225180162333?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2cOIIDfQS-C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IKUbtR93TDy&var=&w idget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
What do y’all think?
1975 coupe.
Found this for sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225180162333?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2cOIIDfQS-C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IKUbtR93TDy&var=&w idget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 401
Likes: 79
From: Northeast PA
There’s a guy on eBay that rebuilds the old columns, I used him for my now-sold 73 T&T unit… did an excellent job, stripped & repainted in correct color…. I’ll have to look to find it, can update later. Wasn’t cheap, but I personally wouldn’t touch one of those cheap $250 units…
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
All the issues you state with your current column sound reasonably repairable.
I personally would repair what you have. A new turn signal switch will repair your finicky signals and 4 way flashers all in one go. Your ign switch is mounted to your column, not part of it. Your tilt/telescopic is rebuildable.
And, and most importantly, if properly repaired. Everything will work as designed by the factory. And your grandchildren will be able to get parts for it years from now.
I wouldn't dream of putting a cheap column in my car.
If your not handy enough to rebuild it. Send it out as stated above.
I personally would repair what you have. A new turn signal switch will repair your finicky signals and 4 way flashers all in one go. Your ign switch is mounted to your column, not part of it. Your tilt/telescopic is rebuildable.
And, and most importantly, if properly repaired. Everything will work as designed by the factory. And your grandchildren will be able to get parts for it years from now.
I wouldn't dream of putting a cheap column in my car.
If your not handy enough to rebuild it. Send it out as stated above.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 401
Likes: 79
From: Northeast PA
To add to 4-vettes' commentary, while the columns CAN be rebuilt by us owners, having gone through the experience of having the column apart a few times & putting the "puzzle" back, it's very easy to bump the internal nylon rod & screw up the length to where the rag joint won't mesh well... to get the sloppiness out you'd have to disassemble down to the upper & lower bearings, being careful to note how everything goes back together (there's a couple YouTube videos about this). I rebuilt the last one, & didn't do a good enough job ensuring that everything moved freely, & a bear of a time banging the internal rod to get it to the correct length for connecting to the rag joint...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
My column is old and worn. Tilt is loose. Hazards don’t work. Turn signals are finicky. and now my key won’t start the car or accessories. I need to replace it.
What do y’all think?
1975 coupe.
Found this for sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22518016233...mis&media=COPY
What do y’all think?
1975 coupe.
Found this for sale:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/22518016233...mis&media=COPY