Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Could have been worse, need help locating steering column repair.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

A Van Mattson helped me in the past; but can’t find his information.

-- Edited by jim larson on Monday 16th of May 2022 10:47:50 AM

BLyke · 1K+ Club

Sorry to see that happened. I had that happen once with my Wagon

jim larson · 2K+ Club

How did you solve the problem? Or what was the problem, adjustment or column?

bowtie · Secretary

Call Auto City Classic and ask for him there.

Larry Lucast · Active Member

Van Mattson
VanZ12@Comcast.net
1 (763) 350-0534

Auto City Classic: (763) 444-5880

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Thanks for the help guys. I talked to the steering specialist guy last night. Evidently there is suppose to be a spring inside the steering column that holds the shift lever up. About 99% of the columns he sees have A broken spring. Spring no where to be found. He has developed a process to make something inside the column to fix the issue; but removal of column and disassembly is demanded. Suspect this is was modified after the 66 column as changes made in 67 and up.

He suggested: 1 make sure linkage is adjusted properly; 2 make sure the indents inside trans are not worn; 3 try to hook up some kind of spring on the firewall side of column to keep the shift part of the column rotating. Be very careful when in P and engine running.

-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 18th of May 2022 08:33:58 AM

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Van did some Column for us last year, did the spring "modification thing on two of them. . Also did two other columns, one 66 floor and 1 68 floor.
One column is in White elky.
Seems to work well.
Karl

Chris R · 2K+ Club

I dont know. In my opinion since the 66 column lacks any safety collapse and the cost is already there to have your existing one repaired which means your probably going to want to replace those bearings too. I would spring the cost & replace with an Ididit.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

It’s a 66 original tilt column. One year only. Different then BOP. But they will work. Rebuilt ones if you can find one run in the neighborhood of $3000 plus. Van said it’s a winters project. Plan to live with it as is for the present unless some restorer to original wants it for a fair price. Maybe Van this winter. Good guy lives up in Blaine area.

Just checked the ididit site looks to be around $1500 for column, wiring, installation and linkage plus tax.

-- Edited by jim larson on Thursday 19th of May 2022 10:56:08 AM

-- Edited by jim larson on Thursday 19th of May 2022 10:57:31 AM

Lost in the 60s · President

For now, if you need to have the engine running to work on stuff, chock 2 wheels, front and back, and put the trans in neutral.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Lost in the 60s wrote:
For now, if you need to have the engine running to work on stuff, chock 2 wheels, front and back, and put the trans in neutral.

Thanks I was cocking wheels front and back plus E brake. Good idea on N instead of P Since it happened in P. I think I also have to look at bending the lever a PO made as when the trans shifter is rotated the other end that goes into the linkage rod from the column does not rotate as it should, or into a locker linkabe kit.