73redblaze
1/2 ton status
So I tried to replace my steering wheel but when I pulled the wheel off the threads were stripped. Can I replace just the shaft or do I need to use another column all together.
CK5
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Steering wheel shaft
- Thread starter 73redblaze
- Start date
on the tilt columns, you can replace the upper shaft at the pivot ball
I just might have one kicking around for a tilt too
I just might have one kicking around for a tilt too
73redblaze
1/2 ton status
Mine isn't a tilt and I have one spare but it's not a tilt either. Am I sol?
I would image you can pull the shaft out of the column to replace. Would be easier than finding another column or removing it. Remove crap in the way, take off lower bearing, and pull through the top IIRC
Cant take a die to the threads and fix them??..
You could drill a hole in the shaft and tap it,and use a 1/4" bolt and a fender washer to secure the wheel on,its not under a huge stress load really..(heck,in race cars they just clip on!)..
I have done just that to lawnmower crankshafts that sheared off when an impact gun was used to remove the flywheel nut,instead of coming off,it snapped the crank off,leaving the nut intact!..
..my shop class teacher showed us how to drill the center of the crank peice that busted off and the crank and tap the hole,and use a bolt to hold the flywheel on..
I always thout it was a risky "fix" but it does work!..if a bolt will hols a flywheel on spinning at 3600 rpm I dont think a steering wheel would be a problem..
If you would rather not do a jerry rig repair ,its not that hard to replace the colum with a salvage yard one..I've done a few,taks maybe an hour...hardest part is locating one just like yours ,same year,etc,otherwise things might not be "plug and play"...
You could drill a hole in the shaft and tap it,and use a 1/4" bolt and a fender washer to secure the wheel on,its not under a huge stress load really..(heck,in race cars they just clip on!)..
I have done just that to lawnmower crankshafts that sheared off when an impact gun was used to remove the flywheel nut,instead of coming off,it snapped the crank off,leaving the nut intact!..
..my shop class teacher showed us how to drill the center of the crank peice that busted off and the crank and tap the hole,and use a bolt to hold the flywheel on..I always thout it was a risky "fix" but it does work!..if a bolt will hols a flywheel on spinning at 3600 rpm I dont think a steering wheel would be a problem..
If you would rather not do a jerry rig repair ,its not that hard to replace the colum with a salvage yard one..I've done a few,taks maybe an hour...hardest part is locating one just like yours ,same year,etc,otherwise things might not be "plug and play"...
73redblaze
1/2 ton status
I have another column I could use I just wanted the keys to match the door and I don't know how to change the ignition. I'm a noob. I will try to take the column apart and swap shafts.
All the GM trucks I've had ,had two different keys,one rounded one fits the door locks,the square one fit the ignition...you cant open the doors with the ignition key..
I understand your desire to keep "matching locks" so the same keys fit--but I was always uncertain I could take a colum apart and ever get it all back together correctly,so I opted to swap colums instead..
I only did two key cylinder swaps,and neither was "fun"...but I managed to do it..I hear later years had a screw to remove and were easier,mine had to have "casting flash" broken out with a screwdriver and you had to fenagle a lock clip inward with a screwdriver and pull out on the cylinder to remove it..it was a pain..doing the switch itself is not much easier,the colum needs to be dropped down some,and its kind of a pain installing it upside down standing on your head!..
I understand your desire to keep "matching locks" so the same keys fit--but I was always uncertain I could take a colum apart and ever get it all back together correctly,so I opted to swap colums instead..
I only did two key cylinder swaps,and neither was "fun"...but I managed to do it..I hear later years had a screw to remove and were easier,mine had to have "casting flash" broken out with a screwdriver and you had to fenagle a lock clip inward with a screwdriver and pull out on the cylinder to remove it..it was a pain..doing the switch itself is not much easier,the colum needs to be dropped down some,and its kind of a pain installing it upside down standing on your head!..
Cylinder swaps are easy. I'd consider it easier than a column swap, as you can sit in the drivers seat and do all the work. 
Had to replace my lock cylinder a year ago or so. Luckily had a donor truck, so just pulled the cylinder out of it. Now starts with needle nose pliars.
Had to replace my lock cylinder a year ago or so. Luckily had a donor truck, so just pulled the cylinder out of it. Now starts with needle nose pliars.
