Better to go with a tilt or non-tilt column?

number9 · Apr 26, 2015

My '69 El Camino has what I assume is a correct tilt column. There is a bunch of slop in the tilt mechanism but also in the steering assembly as well.

I'd like to rebuild it -- either myself or send it away -- but should I start with a non-tilt column instead? Are they "better" in any way, or easier to rebuild or get parts for?

I never use the tilt feature so that doesn't matter to me. The car was built with a 2-speed 'Glide, then at some point had a 4-speed on the floor, but the PO converted it back to a TH350 on the column.

My column has a bunch of electrical issues so it'll need to be re-wired. I have most of the new bits for it already!

haughty · Apr 26, 2015

Many things will depend upon you. Sure you can go to a non tilt, which is no harm for you. Others might like a tilt feature and that might be something to think about, if you decided to sell later on.

If your asking which is better, then I say tilt.... again the final answer is yours to make.... on long drives, I might move the wheel up or down to change the angle, which to me, changes things up to keep me alert.

The other question is you have the bits to fix the gremlins.. I would go ahead, have the column fixed, electricals replaced and go on your merry way, with only paying once , time wise and money wise...

I looked at your page and you are tackling the good fight. Why not keep going, fix the tilt column and have that marked off the list... its a nice looking car.

On my project,,,
Ive already spent and respent on items that if I had thought thru a little closer , once would have been enough. Dont be like me, I finally got smart and I am doing everything else on my build according to my body man, who is really helping me make the better, not for him to make more, which he is, but to get me to answer the question, what do I want?

Whaich goes back to you, what Do You Want? Honestly..

Thanks and have a good one.

number9 · Apr 26, 2015

haughty said:
Many things will depend upon you. Sure you can go to a non tilt, which is no harm for you. Others might like a tilt feature and that might be something to think about, if you decided to sell later on.

If your asking which is better, then I say tilt.... again the final answer is yours to make.... on long drives, I might move the wheel up or down to change the angle, which to me, changes things up to keep me alert.

The other question is you have the bits to fix the gremlins.. I would go ahead, have the column fixed, electricals replaced and go on your merry way, with only paying once , time wise and money wise...

On my project,,,
Ive already spent and respent on items that if I had thought thru a little closer , once would have been enough. Dont be like me, I finally got smart and I am doing everything else on my build according to my body man, who is really helping me make the better, not for him to make more, which he is, but to get me to answer the question, what do I want?

Whaich goes back to you, what Do You Want? Honestly..

Thanks and have a good one.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Honestly, I want whatever will give "better" steering, i.e. less slop/play. If that's a non-tilt column then I'll go with that, if there's no real difference then I imagine I'll just keep the tilt column. There's not much original stuff on my car so I'm not worried about authenticity, but your point about potential buyers down the road is a good one!

haughty · Apr 26, 2015

Like I said its your choice, but ive burned thru a crap load of decisions, that I changed later on. My car doesnt have power windows, but I sure have been spoiled by cars since the 80s on.

My getting a tilt column was easy as someone had already did the deed on mine by breaking into the column and I had bought a replacement tilt over 10 years ago. Lmao, I bought parts for this over the last decade and a half and I am just getting to these items. "Hangs head low"..

Dean · Apr 26, 2015

I've fixed a bunch of tilt columns when they were loose and floppy. It's just a matter of tightening some screws.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/

The slop in the steering is not a fault of the column itself.

toofastforyou · Apr 26, 2015

I'd go for a non-tilt unit (unless you really need a very specific driving position) because once it's set correctly for you, you rarely have to mess with it. It happens that the driving position that my non-tilt column gives suits me perfectly so I don't see any need to replace it with a tilt column. Instead, I chose to keep it and have all the visible parts chromed and added a custom steering wheel also.

Claude.

number9 · Apr 26, 2015

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Dean said:
I've fixed a bunch of tilt columns when they were loose and floppy. It's just a matter of tightening some screws.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/

The slop in the steering is not a fault of the column itself.

Have you tried to identify the source of slop in your own car? I've got a new PS pump and rag joint but an original steering box. Not sure how old the pitman arms etc. are, but probably "old".

I guess a new steering box makes the most sense to change, as I don't think the pitman arm contains a bushing that could wear out.. or does it?

Dean · Apr 26, 2015

Most of the time it's caused by worn out front suspension parts.
On my 69, I rebuilt my complete front end and my steering box was OK but on my 70 I had to replace the steering box also.

number9 · Apr 26, 2015

Dean said:
Most of the time it's caused by worn out front suspension parts.
On my 69, I rebuilt my complete front end and my steering box was OK but on my 70 I had to replace the steering box also.

What did you do for front control arms - OEM, boxed or tubular?

I've got new front shocks and springs to go in, and will do tie rods and ball joints as well. I really like quick lock-to-lock boxes, but I'm not sure if I'll just stick with what I have.

Dean · Apr 26, 2015

I'm a "like original person" myself so I kept everything like original with new bushings, ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, drag link etc.

{edit} I prefer tilt columns, it makes it easier to get in and out.
(especially if you have a big belly)

TCSS1970 · Apr 26, 2015

toofastforyou said:
I'd go for a non-tilt unit (unless you really need a very specific driving position) because once it's set correctly for you, you rarely have to mess with it. It happens that the driving position that my non-tilt column gives suits me perfectly so I don't see any need to replace it with a tilt column. Instead, I chose to keep it and have all the visible parts chromed and added a custom steering wheel also.

Claude.

I'm 6' and I tilt and readjust everytime I get in and out of the car. It makes it easier since I like the wheel down while driving.

72ragtop · Apr 27, 2015

I've fixed a bunch of tilts, fairly common problem 10 or 15 years ago. If you're replacing the directional switch, you're 3/4 way there at that point. Better off fixing the tilt, don't have to tilt it, but nice to be able to if you want..
Jim

haughty · Apr 27, 2015

Dean said:
I'm a "like original person" myself so I kept everything like original with new bushings, ball joints, tie rods, idler arm, drag link etc.

{edit} I prefer tilt columns, it makes it easier to get in and out.
(especially if you have a big belly)

Er, i was being polite by not having the belly in the way. I am beginning to believe that someone changed the seat mount positions.. only thing that must be different.

has to be. Evil people out there...

number9 · May 27, 2015

I'm struggling to get the damn column out of the car. It looks like the shift linkage is hitting the firewall. Do I have to actually remove that linkage completely, or is there some way I can rotate it enough to just pull it out of the firewall?

Dean · May 27, 2015

It can be rotated and pulled up. Not all that hard to do.

number9 · May 27, 2015

Dean said:
It can be rotated and pulled up. Not all that hard to do.

Thanks Dean! I had forgotten about the plate on the inside of the car that attaches to the firewall. The column won't come out with that in place...

once I got the plate out, the column came out pretty easy. It helps that the dash is totally out of the car!

HKalin · May 27, 2015

I'm a very big guy and when I'm looking to buy an old car a tilt wheel is one of the features I look for. Not that it would be a deal breaker because I could always change it but if it already has it it's a big plus to me.

amx364 · Jun 1, 2015

There are 3 bolts inside a tilt column that like to loosen up as time goes on. It has always happens, remove these bolts one at a time and reinstall with Loctite on the threads. It is a 1 hour job, as hard as removing a HEI module.

72ragtop · Jun 1, 2015

amx364 said:
There are 3 bolts inside a tilt column that like to loosen up as time goes on. It has always happens, remove these bolts one at a time and reinstall with Loctite on the threads. It is a 1 hour job, as hard as removing a HEI module.

4 bolts, need female Torx socket.

Better to go with a tilt or non-tilt column?

number9

haughty

number9

haughty

Dean

toofastforyou

number9

Dean

number9

Dean

TCSS1970

72ragtop

haughty

number9

Dean

number9

HKalin

amx364

72ragtop

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities