[m006276]

Anyone know how easy it is to replace the steering column collar on a 72 Chevelle? My car was originally a column shift but has been retro-fitted with the horseshoe on the floor, so the original steering column collar forward of the ignition collar looks a bit out of place with the column shift nub present without the column shift handle there. My car came with a replacement collar when I bought it a couple of months ago that appears to be a reproduction. Does anyone know how hard it is to swap these collars out, how much time it would take, and if this part is a fairly interchangeable part (i.e., is this kind of part fairly universal/interchangeable on most GM A-body cars)? Thanks!

Nate (m006276)

 

[DZAUTO]

It's not particularly difficult, but it is somewhat involved and you MUST pay attention to what/where each part goes.
The steering wheel comes off. Turn signal/horn/wiring has to be removed after the bolts/springs which attach the collar and collar retainer are seperated. PAY ATTENTION as it comes apart so that it will all go back together correctly.
Again, it's not really difficult, just somewhat involved.
I've done two, my 70 and my son's 68 and both work perfectly.

 

[m006276]

Thanks, Tom...I appreciate the info!

Nate (m006276)

 

[JIML82]

I would suggest that you take digital pictures as you disassemble the column head. I would also urge that you remove the column from your car. It will be a lot easier to work on. You are going to have to remove the turn signal switch from the column so that you will be able to remove the turn signal housing and the shift bowl. The shift bowl should be a slip fit to the shift tube inside the column. Corrosion may make it somewhat difficult to pull it off. Be careful with the disassembly. The shift tube is made of two thin wall tubes that are held together with injected plastic. You do not want to disturb the plastic!
These two disassembly pics should help.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=698
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=702
Jim

 

[Andy's Auto Repair]

The floor shift and colmn shift bowls do not interchange. Best bet it is to get the right column. Second best is to grind the nub off, Bondo it, sand and pain. I did this on my 68 when I went 4 speed and it really came out well.

 

[DZAUTO]

The floor shift and colmn shift bowls do not interchange. Best bet it is to get the right column. Second best is to grind the nub off, Bondo it, sand and pain. I did this on my 68 when I went 4 speed and it really came out well.

Well, I've done it on two columns.
Just recently did the column-to-floor collar on my son's 68.

Before

After

 

[Dean]

The floor shift and colmn shift bowls do not interchange. Best bet it is to get the right column. Second best is to grind the nub off, Bondo it, sand and pain. I did this on my 68 when I went 4 speed and it really came out well.

I know that 69 tilt and non tilt column shift collars will not interchange. I spent practically a whole a week end taking one of each apart and putting them back together the first time.
(now I can do one in an hour or so.)

Anyway that was all a waste of time because my son drove the car down the RR tracks and the train did not stop.