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View Full Version : 73-80 Chevy Steering Column

AntiBling
12-23-2007, 05:09 PM
Alright heres the deal. I had to evict some tenants from a building and the woman that lives there, her son has a pickup that has been sitting there for over 4 months. He doesn't live there and doesn't live nearby.

My guess is it won't be moved by the time she is out at the end of the month. So I'm going to have to get it out of there.

I doubt the keys are in it but you never know, the truck is pretty worthless.

So I may have to break the column to get it so it steers to get it on a trailer.

But I was thinking, anyone know how hard it is to swap out the key cylinder? I could get one from a friends junk truck and just swap it. Then down the road if he never asks about it I could use the column if I ever needed it for something.

Or I could get this truck running and have a free beater/mudder truck.
81Stepside
12-23-2007, 05:20 PM
Pull the steering wheel and compress the plate beneath it. (Both tools can be rented or bought)Remove the ring with a screwdriver. Unscrew the turnsignal switch and slide it out of the way. One more retaining screw and the cylinder is out. It's pretty easy IMO. I say go for it.
GreaseDog
12-23-2007, 05:30 PM
if you just want it to steer, reach in, grab the wheel, and give it a nice firm jerk. it will break the pin that locks it. we do it all the time on derby cars.
AntiBling
12-23-2007, 05:40 PM
Pull the steering wheel and compress the plate beneath it. (Both tools can be rented or bought)Remove the ring with a screwdriver. Unscrew the turnsignal switch and slide it out of the way. One more retaining screw and the cylinder is out. It's pretty easy IMO. I say go for it.

Thanks, if I decide to get it running I'll switch the key cylinder.

But for now I'm gonna try this:

if you just want it to steer, reach in, grab the wheel, and give it a nice firm jerk. it will break the pin that locks it. we do it all the time on derby cars.

Thanks! :rocking:
Redbird
12-24-2007, 11:43 AM
Keep in mind though, when breaking the pin, it also generally breaks the housing too. Just an FYI,If you plan to re-use the column in the future.

And you don't need the specialty tools to remove the plate, but it does help to have an extra hand. The plate is spring loaded, just push it down by hand (usually two hands, it's a pretty stiff spring) and then remove the retaining ring (with the extra hand). It's real easy and only takes a few minutes. And is also damage free.
retired wrench
12-26-2007, 09:59 PM
Put a floor jack under the front and line it up with the trailer,if its not on dirt. RW
AntiBling
12-26-2007, 10:27 PM
Put a floor jack under the front and line it up with the trailer,if its not on dirt. RW

It's on top of snow that is on top of gravel.
Koots
12-28-2007, 05:02 AM
My brother was friends with a guy who snapped the steering wheel lock and used to start his car with a screwdriver. He was actually a pretty good mechanic, he was just cheap as hell. he had that 77 Monte running like that for a while. I liked that car alot.

Don't ask me how he started the car with the screwdriver, cuz i'm not that awesome...yet
Redbird
12-28-2007, 04:32 PM
Don't ask me how he started the car with the screwdriver, cuz i'm not that awesome...yet
That's easy... If he started it by twisting the screwdriver like a key: He either removed the lock cylinder or punched through it. Insert the screwdriver and twist the cam. This works just the the key would, only it eliminates the lock cylinder.
If he started it by inserting the screwdriver into the column on the left side: He broke a hole in the column and is/was using the screwdriver to disconnect the mechanism and lever the arm over to start the car. This works just like the key would, only it eliminates the lock cylinder and the cam.
Koots
12-28-2007, 07:59 PM
So you are that awesome than :lol:
AntiBling
12-28-2007, 08:03 PM
Bah, if you had a Ford you wouldn't have to go through that much trouble at all. Most of the older Pre-98 F-Series we owned would start without a key or anything.
Koots
12-28-2007, 08:29 PM
How would a person go about doing that?
Just for curiosity's sake.
AntiBling
12-28-2007, 11:09 PM
How would a person go about doing that?
Just for curiosity's sake.

Buy a ford, no trick to it.
GreaseDog
12-28-2007, 11:17 PM
ignition cylinders wear out, eventually stop locking. the one in my '77 is like that, going to rebuild it during the resto.
Redbird
12-29-2007, 12:31 PM
So you are that awesome than :lol:
Yes, I am. :D:D:D:D

I've had enough columns apart to understand how they work. And I used to drive a tow truck and recovered countless stolen cars.
44gmcnewf
12-29-2007, 09:15 PM
chances are if its been sitting for 4 months its brakes are going to be froze and have a bad gas. It probably shouldnt or wouldnt be a good idea to drive it on the road.

I think you should try to find one of these .... better safer then sorry
http://www.freewaytrailer.com/trailer-pictures/car-dolly-trailers/demco-tow-dolly-car-trailer.jpg
AntiBling
12-30-2007, 06:19 AM
chances are if its been sitting for 4 months its brakes are going to be froze and have a bad gas. It probably shouldnt or wouldnt be a good idea to drive it on the road.


It wasn't going to be drove on the road, it was going to be pulled up on a trailer.

But when I went back there yesterday they got it moved out of there so no free truck for me. :bawl: