How do I remove a steering column part?

Maymyvetteliveforever

Maymyvetteliveforever

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Feb 6, 2009
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Ontario
I need to remove the housing that covers the igntion switch. It's in need of repaint due to the key fobs scratching the heck out of it? I'm going to assume that the ignition switch will have to be removed. I believe in the picture it's called the STRG COLUMN.

1977-82StrgWheelHornPartsRev08AU-1.jpg
 
You might want to pull the column and tape it up and shoot it. That's not a fun part to remove and get back together.
 
WoooooooooooW thanks for the links boys, but it's much more complicated than I thought. It is Tilt Telescopic so it's not going to be fun to remove. I may try to tape everything up, sand and paint but what a mess I'll make of the interior. I'm also concerned about runs in the paint since I can't stand it on end or rotate tha part. I guess I'll have to do a lot of thin coats.

Would anyone recomend a clear coat afterwards due to the keys possibly scratching it again. I don't believe it had any clear coat from factory.
 
It's really not difficult to pull the complete column out of the car. Maybe think about doing it that way?
 
1) If all your going to do is paint it, I would think about pulling it out, masking it off, rough it up a little with 200 grit or finer, and paint a few thin coats of Krylon semi-flat black. Closest thing to stock I have found.
2)IF the wheel feels loose, such as side to side/up down motion, there are 4 screws all the way at the bottom of the assembly that need to be tightened, and locktite applied. IF you were to do this also, buy a GM "rack kit", and rebuild it while your in there. About $30.00.
 
TimAT said:
It's really not difficult to pull the complete column out of the car. Maybe think about doing it that way?
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I'm trying not to add to my list of things to do to get the car back on the road, I didn't think I had to pull the whole column.
big2bird said:
1) If all your going to do is paint it, I would think about pulling it out, masking it off, rough it up a little with 200 grit or finer, and paint a few thin coats of Krylon semi-flat black. Closest thing to stock I have found.
Click to expand...
My steering column inside the car match's the interior which is silver. I'm going to try to paint it while in the car and if the paint runs then I'll have to pull the complete column out.
 
Carefully mask it off, and apply the paint in several light coats. After it's all dry, you should be able to polish it up as needed. the light coats and letting it tack will help keep it from running. I'd also suggest maybe wiping it down with some wax and grease remover before appling paint.
 
Unsure how many miles are on your car, around a hundred thousand the key cylinder has a great deal of internal wear from the constant inserting and removing of the key. A good time to replace and will solve one less spot to tape off. No fun removing a broken key.

JMO
Andy
 
TimAT said:
I'd also suggest maybe wiping it down with some wax and grease remover before appling paint.
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Wouldn't the sand paper take care of any residue that may have been there before hand. I should use grease remover all the same....huh?

AColbe01 said:
Unsure how many miles are on your car
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The car has approximately 50,000 original miles on it therfore the ignition switch should be ok along with the steering column.
 
Any wax or grease on the column will just get ground into the existing paint. Not wiping it down will make the paint fisheye. Ever used Armor-All anywhere in the interior? Not getting that off will make spots in the paint and places paint won't stick.
 
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