Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

jim larson · 2K+ Club

66 tilt column stuck in up position yesterday

Larry Lucast · Active Member

Van at VANZ auto in Blaine is the steering column expert.
8854 Xylite St NE

Minneapolis, MN 55449
(763) 780-9080

dashboard · 2K+ Club

Larry, does Van rebuild tilt columns? I have on that needs to be rebuilt.

Enganeer · Mega Poster

It's likely stuck / bound up. Does the wheel feel like it is binding? Maybe try turning it bit and then pull the lever and hit the bottom of the steering wheel with a good thump with your hand while turning it.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Enganeer wrote:
It's likely stuck / bound up. Does the wheel feel like it is binding? Maybe try turning it bit and then pull the lever and hit the bottom of the steering wheel with a good thump with your hand while turning it.

Will try that especially after reading the disassembly and reassembly in the 66 chassis service manual. I really don't like the way it jump around back and forth between the different models and steering columns and it look like you need some special tools. Thinking my limit is removing the steering wheel and the turn signal stuff or the whole mast from the car. I think I will tear the only column apart that I have in storage first as a learning exercise. May the guy Larry suggested can fix it. Bob Wall has had some experience in taking these tilts apart.

Bobs_Place · Vice President

I have repaired/disassembled, assembled, converted from column shift to council shift, etc. no special tools, these were the 69-73 with key in column/ locking.

The Chevelle 65-66 tilt is probably VERY rare and parts could be a problem, be careful. The Impala was a tilt/telly so maybe some parts interchangeability.

Larry Lucast · Active Member

Yes, VANZ does rebuild columns. He has done several for me.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Larry Lucast wrote:
Yes, VANZ does rebuild columns. He has done several for me.

An acquaintance from PA has a 66 tilt and said something catching to cause the column to not move or pins many have walked out, whatever that means. This column used only two years, so hard to find parts and be careful. Other gm cars for those years used the same column and a lot of parts should interchange. Maybe even some corvette parts.

So Plan to call Vanz early this week.

-- Edited by jim larson on Sunday 7th of June 2020 04:59:57 PM

jim larson · 2K+ Club

As of now it looks like I will take the car to Vanz or pull the column And bring that to him. Talked to him this morning. I don’t relish leaving the car. I want to drive the car this summer so it might be a while..