Seriously?! Steering Wheel Position Sensor - DISCONTINUED!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 260
Likes: 49
From: Florence ALABAMA
With 20 years experience in four different dealership parts departments, I can tell you that items are discontinued simply because of the laws of supply and demand. It's all about PROFIT. If a company is not selling enough of part number OU812 widget, they will stop buying them, bottom line. Time has nothing to do with discontinuation of parts, other than dropping of demand. I've seen Ford discontinue stuff that wasn't two or three years old.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
With 20 years experience in four different dealership parts departments, I can tell you that items are discontinued simply because of the laws of supply and demand. It's all about PROFIT. If a company is not selling enough of part number OU812 widget, they will stop buying them, bottom line. Time has nothing to do with discontinuation of parts, other than dropping of demand. I've seen Ford discontinue stuff that wasn't two or three years old.
GM and ford are probably the worst. i called ford the other day to get a trans dust plug {worthless part really} for a 2005 ford focus. guess what? discontinued
the 2001-2004 c5 doesn't seem to be too bad yet unless you want interior pieces
keep in mind even the c6 isn't immune. the ls2 was discontinued before the c6 was out of production
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 2
From: Dallas TX
Ok, all of those seem to be discontinued. I see that sensor GM 26058287 is also a 6-pin and looks very similar with the spring being the only external physical difference. I just ordered one on ebay for $110 and will try it on my '99 C5 once it gets here. Its also sold as Wells SU7849. Wish us luck!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 2
From: western springs illinois
Ok, all of those seem to be discontinued. I see that sensor GM 26058287 is also a 6-pin and looks very similar with the spring being the only external physical difference. I just ordered one on ebay for $110 and will try it on my '99 C5 once it gets here. Its also sold as Wells SU7849. Wish us luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
Here's a used one on ebay for 200.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-97-98-C5-Corvette-Steering-Column-Position-Sensor-26055808-sms-/390724037516?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item5af8f7ab8c&vxp=mtr
Don't dither if you want it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-97-98-C5-Corvette-Steering-Column-Position-Sensor-26055808-sms-/390724037516?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item5af8f7ab8c&vxp=mtr
Don't dither if you want it
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Vacaville Ca
did it work
Ok, all of those seem to be discontinued. I see that sensor GM 26058287 is also a 6-pin and looks very similar with the spring being the only external physical difference. I just ordered one on ebay for $110 and will try it on my '99 C5 once it gets here. Its also sold as Wells SU7849. Wish us luck!
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Asheville North Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
With 20 years experience in four different dealership parts departments, I can tell you that items are discontinued simply because of the laws of supply and demand. It's all about PROFIT. If a company is not selling enough of part number OU812 widget, they will stop buying them, bottom line. Time has nothing to do with discontinuation of parts, other than dropping of demand. I've seen Ford discontinue stuff that wasn't two or three years old.
and it's what the american car companies do
you can walk into honda and buy 95% of parts for a 1996 civic, they support their cars, ford and chevy do not
dodge is probably the best of the 3 having a LOT of older jeep / chrysler parts available
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Have a brother that thinks like you, he had a 04 Chevy HD and had a few issues, (I could have fixed easily) So he buys a Ford truck, down the road he finds out its going to cost him $1000.00 for spark plugs, then his alt. went out and burned out the whole dash 1500.00,then the engine has a ticking noise,cam followers another grand !!!!! (less than 120,000 miles) He hated GM now he has two new GM trucks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every car has its problems !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Likes: 17
From: Tustin California
Paul, prior to 2007, chevy took better care of customers. You having worked for them must have seen the changes. Steering wheel positioner, ECBM, And many of the smaller parts are just dropped and in some cases the cars cannot be registered and driven. You are correct about all cars having their problems, but generally parts to repair are available. At least in the aftermarket. I drive a Ford F150 at work and Ford wanted $980 to change plugs and coils. I did it for $190 and 45 minutes in time. Just my vent for the day! No offense meant to you guys who keep them running, Rod
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Paul, prior to 2007, chevy took better care of customers. You having worked for them must have seen the changes. Steering wheel positioner, ECBM, And many of the smaller parts are just dropped and in some cases the cars cannot be registered and driven. You are correct about all cars having their problems, but generally parts to repair are available. At least in the aftermarket. I drive a Ford F150 at work and Ford wanted $980 to change plugs and coils. I did it for $190 and 45 minutes in time. Just my vent for the day! No offense meant to you guys who keep them running, Rod
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Check a Honda forum and they're saying the same thing about GM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Likes: 17
From: Tustin California
You guys are probably right. It just pisses me off that a major part that is essential to the car is not obtainable except as a used part that may or may not be any good. If the car just would lose it's active handling or ABS it would be no big deal but having the dash light up and the engine go into reduced power or go crazy at freeway speed without warning is what makes me not trust chevy anymore. On my earlier Vettes these features were not even thought of, and I never even thought about it. In those days we just knew how to drive. Sorry for the rants, Rod
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,629
Likes: 16
From: York PA
I have my complete steering column out of my 97 which only had about 20k miles at time of removal.
What's the best way to remove the steering position sensor so it can be easily installed in another car?
What's the best way to remove the steering position sensor so it can be easily installed in another car?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 1