lushdrunk

I remember back when I was shopping for a used steering column for my 91, I read that the 94-96 column was different. (IE: would not work.)

Well, Now I'm looking to change the Oldsmobile looking steering wheel in my 94 for the 90-93 style and can't remember what I will need to make the swap.

So other then the steering wheel, what are the differences between the 90-93 and 94-96 columns?

zr1fred

I looked at a couple of colomns, and the only difference I could see was the wheel, and the turn signal stalk, but I think they interchange. The earlier wheel extends over the column slightly, and the later one (94-96) mounts flush. The earlier stalk has orange letters and is a little longer. The air bag connector is a little different. I actually prefer the later wheels, I don't like the plastic horn buttons as much. You might check and see if the upper housing shows to be a different number.

xole

I know the plastic is different around the collumn. Mine was missing the plastic cover around the base of the stalk and it was really hard to find a replacement.

lushdrunk

It sounds like if I want to change wheels, I will have to change the column also. Or at least the top sleeve. Either way, it sounds like a lot of BS just for a steering wheel change.

dayle97se

I also would like to swap in a 90-93 wheel into my 96 (the earlier wheel looks a lot better and sportier in my opinion). "lushdrunk": have you experimented with this yet? Can anyone confirm if the earlier wheel will swap in easily? I'm willing to bet that the old wheel will bolt up to the column easily, my only concern is the clockspring and electrical connections.

TorchTarga94

I just wanted to bump this ancient thread to the top to see if anyone has accomplished putting the 90'-93' wheel on the later 94'-96' C4?. I have a 94' and am interested in doing it. Are the splines the same on the columns? Are the clock spring air bag connectors truly different?

-=Jeff=-

Are the ABS systems of the same generation? if not I would be concerned of using an older bag n new system or vice versa..

my parts catalog stops at 1993 but if you could cross reference the upper shaft PN between years, that will answer the splines question. I don't have my catalog with me so I cannot look up the part. you could however swap the upper shaft if needed. I think most everything else if the same or close

WVZR-1

If you didn't mind losing SIR you could I believe use a '91 - '93 steering wheel, splines would match and the directional cancelling cam will accept the horn wires. To retain SIR I doubt there's a way. The SIR (air-bag) connector on a '91 - '93 is a female shell and the '94+ I believe is a male shell so the coils/clock-spring are very different. A '94+ coil/clock-spring also has a projection that would require removal I believe for the '91 - '93 steering wheel install.

I have early parts but no '94+ to compare.

** The lock housing cover(key cylinder fits in this) changes part # in '94 so you might need to change that and the mast jacket changes along with the lower section of the steering shafts. The more I look I believe that I'd prefer to swap a column knowing I'd lose SIR and for resale just include the original column OR reinstall.

TorchTarga94

Eh, if its that much involved I am going to pass. I already rebuilt my column last year and it is great. I will just have Chuck Pelton re-wrap my original 94' wheel.

Joe C5 C2

This post should answer a number of your questions:
http://web.archive.org/web/200401231...=217&TopicID=2

TorchTarga94

Thank you!