Broken Column

[BOX88]

Just picked up this caprice the other day, I guess someone tried to steal the car out of the guys driveway a while back.

Some pics of the damage,





I'm wondering when I get to the Junk Yard exactly what I need to pull from the car? And what tools really? Basic socket set? etc Steering wheel puller, anything else?

Should I or do I have to pull the complete colum from the firewall all the way to the steering wheel?

Any tips from someone that has went through this so I can make it quick an easy.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by BOX88

I'm wondering when I get to the Junk Yard exactly what I need to pull from the car?

I would get the whole column. Looks like quite a bit of damage.
Also rebuilding a tilt column is not fun.
It should be removable with basic hand tools.
You can remove the steering wheel/swap parts when you get it home.

Good luck.

[BOX88]

I should be good swaping ignition stuff over and everything then? So I can keep using the original keys.



Also if anyone has a tilt column for sale please pm me. I'm aslo looking for the golve box lock/knob thanks.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by BOX88

Also if anyone has a tilt column for sale please pm me. I'm aslo looking for the golve box lock/knob thanks.

Check your local Pick a Part

or


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/81-89...Q5fAccessories

[BOX88]

Yeah I seen that one on eBay. And none of my local Pick and pulls have any caprice in.

I just made an offer on the ebay one, so maybe they will take it.

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by BOX88

Yeah I seen that one on eBay. And none of my local Pick and pulls have any caprice in.

Call a full serve salvage yard.
They will pull it for you but the cost will be higher.

[BOX88]

lol I did trust me, I called everyone in the phone book.

And the usual place I go to that usually has 10+ boxy caprice out there said they have absolutely none right now. They also offer to pull parts too. I had them pull me an headliner board 2 years ago when it was like 110+ degrees out for $40..not bad.. saved me from sweating my ass off

[Blt2Lst]

Are any of the internals damaged?

If not, you might be able to epoxy the broken piece back on. Some JB weld might do the trick along with some touch up paint and you are back in business..

[BOX88]

naw you can see the little wire there inside to the left, looks kinda like a unbent paper clip, and some other stuff in there is all broken up too.

I bought one on ebay, if I had time to wait I could have got one from the yard for $60(they pull it out for me) but theres no telling when they would get any caprice in.

So I just pulled the trigger on the ebay one, I offered and he took it so it should be her sometime next week.. I just gotta get the paint code for my interior so I can get it mixed up and paint this tan one when it gets here and slap it in.

I cant even get the car started right now, I had my mechanic come with me to look at the car and he showed me how to start with the flat head but I already forgot how he did it lol.

[BOX88]

Got my column, began removing the old one out of the car since I had some free time.

Everything is removed, from all the plugs/connectors to bolts on the fire wall and up under the dash. to the one bolt under the hood in the engine bay etc.

I got back in the car and started to pull on the column to get it out, and it would slide back slightly but not all the way out.

Its still connected here somewhere,





I was going to bang it with a hammer to see if it would release but I figured I would be a little more cautious and ask before I went and did it. Maybe there is something I'm missing?

[Blue Bowtie]

The clamp bolt through the flex joint needs to come out completely, not just turned until loose.

You should be able to push/pry the flex joint forward and free of the column.

[BOX88]

Go it out, lil bang with the hammer did the trick.

SEM paint and other materials needed on monday and hopefully it will be in and ready to drive soon