WTB tight steering column - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

VetteMed · 11-10-2011

Looks like the pivot pins are worn out on my original 191K mile steering column. Does anyone have a good used column for sale? I think I need a 90 or 91, but 92-93 may work as well?

PhillipsLT5 · 11-10-2011

I think Marc H has some pins for sale to fix the slop

batchman · 11-10-2011

90 is different according to the swap guides. I know this because I need one too - 91-93 C4 std trans is the interchange.

Mine has a down & left play that can't be fixed. A straight up/down play can be fixed, or so I gather.

Best,
- Jeff

phrogs · 11-10-2011

I have one from a 90 if your interested came from sub 20K car.

I also have the keys for it so you could get a key cut to fit with your cars key code or you can swap out the ignitions pretty easily.

I really don't know what the difference could be they are visually identical.

I'd have to see a parts break down and see what is different, and the difference might be something simple like the opening for the airbag wiring or something.

If all the internal parts are the same it will work on any car.
Books can be wrong but you wouldn't know until you put it in your car.
we should compare photos of the different columns..

mike100 · 11-10-2011

I don't know if the pins wear more or the housing (I suspect the housing), but even my car has it with low mileage. It really has to do a lot with how large the previous owners were and if they could get out of the car easily.

The next one I fix will be on a table top if i can help it. The housing is real expensive though.

VetteMed · 11-10-2011

The housing is made of pot metal, the pins are steel. It's the housing that wears out, unfortunately. If you can find one it's pricey.

Hammer · 11-10-2011

Marc does have larger pins available. I replaced the one on the right side on my first '91 and it made a dramatic difference in the slop. Looking back, I would do both if I was to do it again.

The slop on both my cars was apparent from the top right to the bottom left side. One thing I have noticed is that when I get out of my car, I grab the opposite side of the wheel, the top left. So I am thinking this is a faulty production casting on the housing. Too bad they aren't available anymore.

batchman · 11-10-2011

It's not just a Corvette thing - I have a friend who has done so many GM tilt wheels he can close his eyes and recite the entire process. There's a couple of bolts deep down in there that loosen up. That's the up/down issue IIRC. The down/left must be the pin/housing one.

Didn't know there was a larger pin available... Hmmm....

Thanks,
- Jeff

VetteMed · 11-10-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by batchman

It's not just a Corvette thing - I have a friend who has done so many GM tilt wheels he can close his eyes and recite the entire process. There's a couple of bolts deep down in there that loosen up. That's the up/down issue IIRC. The down/left must be the pin/housing one.

Didn't know there was a larger pin available... Hmmm....

Thanks,
- Jeff

Yep, I had to tighten the bolts in my 88 IROC, but the pivot pins weren't a problem in that particular car. As I recall it was up/down looseness. Crappy design, I guess... with no incentive for GM to change it since the cars were way out of warranty when the problem occurred.

VetteVet · 11-10-2011

I recently bought a new housing for my steering column rebuild and IIRC, it was reasonable (less than $150.00). I just have to remember where I got it from. BTW, I had the diagonal wiggle and upon disaasembly I found that it was the pivot pin bores in the housing that were wallowed out.

Also, the GM parts break down does show differences in individual parts between the 90 and 91-93 columns. I'm not sure if the complete column assemblies would interchange or not.

Jep

11-10-2011	#1
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,816	WTB tight steering column Looks like the pivot pins are worn out on my original 191K mile steering column. Does anyone have a good used column for sale? I think I need a 90 or 91, but 92-93 may work as well?

11-10-2011	#2
PhillipsLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,446	Re: WTB tight steering column I think Marc H has some pins for sale to fix the slop

11-10-2011	#3
batchman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I live at Devens, one run at a time Posts: 454	Re: WTB tight steering column 90 is different according to the swap guides. I know this because I need one too - 91-93 C4 std trans is the interchange. Mine has a down & left play that can't be fixed. A straight up/down play can be fixed, or so I gather. Best, - Jeff

11-10-2011	#4
phrogs Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Kalamazoo MI Posts: 1,755	Re: WTB tight steering column I have one from a 90 if your interested came from sub 20K car. I also have the keys for it so you could get a key cut to fit with your cars key code or you can swap out the ignitions pretty easily. I really don't know what the difference could be they are visually identical. I'd have to see a parts break down and see what is different, and the difference might be something simple like the opening for the airbag wiring or something. If all the internal parts are the same it will work on any car. Books can be wrong but you wouldn't know until you put it in your car. we should compare photos of the different columns.. __________________ JOHNNY P Currently own 90 ZR-1 #845 DRM 500 engine package 90 #226 Parts car Hit me up if you need anything.

11-10-2011	#5
mike100 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Marcos CA Posts: 1,786	Re: WTB tight steering column I don't know if the pins wear more or the housing (I suspect the housing), but even my car has it with low mileage. It really has to do a lot with how large the previous owners were and if they could get out of the car easily. The next one I fix will be on a table top if i can help it. The housing is real expensive though.

11-10-2011	#6
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,816	Re: WTB tight steering column The housing is made of pot metal, the pins are steel. It's the housing that wears out, unfortunately. If you can find one it's pricey.

11-10-2011	#7
Hammer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ideho Posts: 2,647	Re: WTB tight steering column Marc does have larger pins available. I replaced the one on the right side on my first '91 and it made a dramatic difference in the slop. Looking back, I would do both if I was to do it again. The slop on both my cars was apparent from the top right to the bottom left side. One thing I have noticed is that when I get out of my car, I grab the opposite side of the wheel, the top left. So I am thinking this is a faulty production casting on the housing. Too bad they aren't available anymore.

11-10-2011	#8
batchman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I live at Devens, one run at a time Posts: 454	Re: WTB tight steering column It's not just a Corvette thing - I have a friend who has done so many GM tilt wheels he can close his eyes and recite the entire process. There's a couple of bolts deep down in there that loosen up. That's the up/down issue IIRC. The down/left must be the pin/housing one. Didn't know there was a larger pin available... Hmmm.... Thanks, - Jeff

11-10-2011	#10
VetteVet Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 340	Re: WTB tight steering column I recently bought a new housing for my steering column rebuild and IIRC, it was reasonable (less than $150.00). I just have to remember where I got it from. BTW, I had the diagonal wiggle and upon disaasembly I found that it was the pivot pin bores in the housing that were wallowed out. Also, the GM parts break down does show differences in individual parts between the 90 and 91-93 columns. I'm not sure if the complete column assemblies would interchange or not. Jep