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Steering lock woes!

D

dsbodley

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Mar 20, 2014
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Hi All,

So i finally went and bought an old CK 1500 from the US and imported it to the UK. What a surprise that the vendor lied his teeth off about the condition of it so now i'm left with a hunk of junk to get right!

Ok, ok, so its not all bad - as an Arizona truck, its pretty rust free and he uprated the engine to about 450HP (so he says) and it has a decent size cab.

I'll post some pics later as i've just come out of hospital after having a tumour removed, so i'm gonna have to do her up in stages.

The first thing is, when i initially picked her up from the port, she would start fine although the ignition barrel would come out! The other day however, i came to start her and there was a click (like a steering lock click) and now she just won't let me turn the key.

My first question is, is this a common problem and is it an easy fix? Plus if its the steering lock, where can i get a new one from (she's a 1983 CK1500).

Oh and the other thing is, the guy fitted a slam box transmission, but its not a seedy kinda car so somehow, i just want to cover her back to a regular auto - is this possible?

Many thanks for any replies, plus i think i may have posted in the wrong section previously so sorry if i have!


David
 
If the transmission is an SM465, I'd keep it. Thats what I have, and I'd never go back to an automatic. And it's stout as can be.

Welcome BTW!
 
David, welcome back to the board!
Sounds to me like the column and lock assembly was not put back together correctly.
At one point mine did this on its own, due to just wear and age. I believe you will need to pull the steering wheel too properly realign everything.

Also presuming you mean a manual transmission by slam box. Is there a reason you are looking for the auto?
 
I'm watching the NFL game in your fine country this morning by the way. lol.
 
First of all, thank you for the replies chaps! Its extremely heartening to know that theres support out there.

Phil - You're lucky the NFL has chosen one of the few days it hasn't been raining over here! lol! However, as i grew up in New Zealand and played rugby since i could walk, i'm massively into the Rugby World cup at the minute, which you fella's put in another good showing this year! You're improving every world cup!

Bent (sorry don't know your name!!) - thank you for the heads up and its encouraging to know theres a fix for this. Do you think i won't need a new steering lock then?

The SLAM box is an auto, you can just hold it in gear if you need to, but it doesn't seem to be great and because we have a lot of bends and traffic, i would rather just have the old school Auto box.

My main concern is this steering lock so i'll keep you guys updated. Also, how can i post pics to show you my ride?


David
 
I upload my pictures to photobucket, then copy and paste the IMG location. It's a free pic hosting site. Looking forward to seeing pics!
 
Thanks Phil, I'll give that a go.

Also, should the steering lock still not work, wheres the best place to get one from? I think i used to use ROCK AUTO but don't know if theres anywhere better?
 
Welcome! You did post this in the right place. Which transmission does your truck have? The most likely candidate for a 1/2-ton in that year is the 4-speed 700R4, but life has many exceptions, and it's obvious that yours has been messed with already.



GM-Transmission-Pan-Identification.jpg


Does the transmission stay in your selected gear all the time (manual shifting), or is it just shifting with a different pattern than you would prefer? Mine, for example, operates automatically, but has been modified to shift firmly and to stay in gear longer than normal before downshifting. It's not how the stock transmissions were set up, but I have found it to be very pleasant for driving around town, as it isn't constantly shifting back and forth looking for a gear to stay in. So some modifications can be helpful. You just have to find a set that suits your driving style. :)

Also, for uploading pictures, you can upload them directly to the board using the "Upload a File" button at the bottom of the text box.
 
Guys thats absolutely brilliant of all of you, thank you!

Ok, so i checked the original advert and apparently it has an Edlebrock Slap Shifter, hooked up to a Turbo 350 tranny

I'm looking for the "Upload a file" icon but can't see it.......am i being a doofus?
 
Maybe you dont see it unless you are a premium member. Its next to the "post reply" for me.
@K85 Octane brilliant, that was the post i remembered but didnt find. Mine broke the actuator at one point. Was time consuming but not difficult to fix.
 
dsbodley said:
Guys thats absolutely brilliant of all of you, thank you!

Ok, so i checked the original advert and apparently it has an Edlebrock Slap Shifter, hooked up to a Turbo 350 tranny

I'm looking for the "Upload a file" icon but can't see it.......am i being a doofus?
Click to expand...
does the factory column not have the shifter?
 
I Think you're right - maybe I have to be a premium member.

The column shift has been removed unfortunatly and the slap shifter is on the floor - not sure why in a truck that's about 5 tonne and has a 0-60 time on par with a glacier! lol

The diagram for the shift is extremely helpful, i may get my mechanic guy to take a look this week.

Thanks again guys - i forgot to mention, the ignition lock is loose and slides in and out, but it did this originally when i picked her up, so it never bothered me.
 
Any luck for salvage yards there for Chevy parts or do you have to order everything via mail?
 
I'll struggle for the steering lock over here but i may be able to get the gearbox to how it was.

When i had my Bronco (don't hate me!!) I think i used to use ROCK AUTO and SUMMIT - can you guys recommend anywhere else for parts?

I'm gonna try the fix that K85 mentioned earlier, but my luck isn't that good! lol
 
Ahhhhh! Thats why i love you guys! Yeah i remember LMC and they've shipped to me before!

Thanks for that, its exactly the kinda lead i needed :)
 
Glad to return the favor, since you guys provided me with my favorite band. lol.
 
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