Chevy steering column advice request.

[Tom]

So, twice now thieves have tried to hotwire my 98 z71. The last time they really busted up the column and wiring plugs. I have a column from a junkyard waiting for me when I get to the yard I kept it in. I've seen a couple youtube videos, but figure a couple of you may be able to provide a tip or two.
Unfortunately, I'll be doing this during a mixed precipitation storm, so I'm guessing it'll be a messy job.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Winelover]

I'm a diehard GM purchaser. They were my livelihood for 36 years. Anytime my vehicles were stolen or any destructive attempts were made, that would be be dealt with by the insurance agency. That what premiums are paid for.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Without seeing it in person, there's not much I can offer.
The lock cylinder provides a mechanical lock for the steering wheel and gear selector. The actual ignition switch is separate.
When you say the thieves attempted to "Hot Wire" the the truck, that can mean different thing to different people. Generally thieves attempt to defeat the mechanical lock because there's nothing to be gained by defeating only the ignition switch portion of the system (the wheel is still locked even if the engine can be started)

If you intend to replace the entire column, you will also end up with a new lock cylinder that is keyed different from the doors.

 

[Winelover]

If you intend to replace the entire column, you will also end up with a new lock cylinder that is keyed different from the doors.

At one time, GM used to have 33 different key combinations. Chrysler had the least, about a dozen, IIRC. Ford's were somewhere in between. That's why Chryslers were targeted by thieves, the most.................they didn't need to carry as many keys.

 

[Tom]

I already have different keys after replacing the cylinder the first time. This time, they used pliers or something to try to turn the lock, it's jammed up and you can't get a key in it. The larger of the wiring plugs was broken with 3 of the spades laying on the floorboard. The smallest plug (anti theft, I think) was also torn out. I won't be there for a couple days, so I'm going on memory from a month ago. When I get it going I'll drive it home and leave it there then fly back to Seattle.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

At one time, GM used to have 33 different key combinations. Chrysler had the least, about a dozen, IIRC. Ford's were somewhere in between. That's why Chryslers were targeted by thieves, the most.................they didn't need to carry as many keys.

Yep/\

The days of 33 GM keys were the days of the key switch in the dash and no steering wheel lock. The keys were made by Briggs & Stratton.
If the doors weren't locked, you didn't even need a key. You could just pull the wiring harness plug off the back of the ignition switch and jump across a few pins with a paper clip and have the car running in about 5 seconds.

 

[fiver]

as long as the truck side of the wiring it intact this should be pretty straight forward.
you might need a second set of hands to make the re-install go about 50% easier since they can guide the under the hood parts into place.
my 98 surprised me when i had to work on it, it was just about old school in it's simplicity compared to anything 10 years later.

 

[Bret4207]

From your description, I'd try and find a garage to work in! I've spent most my life working under car and trucks out in the weather. Not fun, even if it's not "laying flat on your back in ice water"!!!

 

[Ian]

That's one series I don't have an example of here. 1946 to 2011 trucks are represented in full here at the Empire of Treasure. I don't think they changed the column much from 1973 to 2001 though.

There should be a pinch bolt inside near the floor, shouldn't have to disconnect anything under the hood. Hopefully the junkyard didn't rotate the steering wheel in the column after removal or the clockspring for the airbag is likely broken, or maybe it only has the extra contact plate and no clockspring, depends on how many options your '98 has.

Basically disconnect the battery, drop the knee bolster and lower instrument panel shroud, disconnect the PRNDL pull string so you don't break it in the cluster when you drop the column, disconnect the ignition switch plug under the dash, disconnect the headlight beam switch next to it, disconnect the airbag connector, take out the pinch bolt, wiggle the compression joint down, take out the two nuts holding the column to the dash frame, and Bob's your aunty.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Ian. I didn't see any reference to the shifter cable in the YouTube stuff I watched. A friend who used to work for a Chevy dealer schooled me on the clock spring, first time I heard about that. I'm told there's no airbag on my "new," column, so I'll have to put mine in it. I wish it'd gone off when dirtbag was messing with it!

 

[fiver]

you let that chevy sit much longer and your only gonna be using the R on the indicator anyway.

 

[Tom]

you let that chevy sit much longer and your only gonna be using the R on the indicator anyway.

How's that?

 

[fiver]

they like to break the drive bands, which leaves you only reverse, if you let them sit around too long.

 

[Ian]

Nah, the Teflon seal on the input shaft, rearmost one, shrinks up and leaks the pressure to the direct clutch pack, burning it up. Then you have 1, 2, and R. That promptly leads to the next Teflon ring burning up and that's when you lose the forward clutch pack. The 2-4 band and actuation system is one thing I've never seen fail on a 4L60/700R4.

It's not the shifter cable, it's a little string with a loop in the end that hooks on a tab on the shift collar. It pulls against a spring and drags the shift indicator across the window. Yours might have an electronic PRNDL display if it's a 98, not sure, GM changed a lot of stuff 1994-1999.

 

[Tom]

Well, I started on it today. Having one on the tailgate to refer to a couple times was a big help. Can't turn the wheel and the nut that holds the shift and column is next to the brake, so had to use a box end on that one, probably 1/16 rotation at a time. Weather was dry but chilly. Colder tomorrow, but dry. Spondylitis flared up so I'll finish it tomorrow with the help of some diclofenac.