1970 442 convertible
The steering column bit the bullet and I would like the source and part number for a replacement column. Presently has a tilt column and is a four speed. My mechanic believes it was born an automatic and a previous owner converted it to a 4 speed He has tried Classic industries for a source but it did not work and they sent replacement that was the same part number and also did not work. Mystery to both he and I so I ask the gurus of all things 442 what is our next direction.

 

Are you looking for the correct 1970 A-body column or aftermarket? Are you looking for another floor shift tilt column? Is good used OK or do you want to find a rebuilt one? What part of the country are you in? I would encourage you to create a parts wanted thread describing exactly what you'd looking for. I know there's a couple guys on Facebook who are restoring columns. I don't know if there's any members here who are but I'm sure there's members with used columns. John

 

How exactly does a steering column "bite the bullet"? Unless parts have physically broken, any steering column can be rebuilt with new bearings. If the problem is the dreaded tilt column wobble, that's just loose bolts in the tilt mechanism that are easy to tighten. If it was originally a column shift automatic, that should be pretty obvious by the lump on the shift bowl where the shift lever used to be. It's also possible to replace just that shift bowl to convert it to a floor shift tilt.

 

You can source remanufactured OEM GM A-Body automatic tilt floor columns from a number of independent rebuilders and part vendors, it's not an Oldsmobile-specific part to my knowledge. one option is NPD (National Parts Depot) whom stocks them (can be viewed in their online catalog). I have one of their columns for my upcoming automatic floor-shift conversion in my '72 ragtop (currently a factory column-shift car) - for your '70, you would need the same one I bought - a '69-72 period column.

Here's what I purchased: C-6518C-160A
COLUMN ASSY, Steering, Remanufactured, OE GM column rebuilt using OEM parts incl turn signal switch ** does not incl tilt or turn signal lever

These reman columns have jumped up a lot in price in recent times though - used to be about $300 shipped, now exponentially more expensive.

 

Gentlemen Again thank you for your quick and concise replies. I will take this information to my mechanic and we will proceed forward. I claim no extensive mechanical ability and always appreciate your knowledge and willingness to help..

 

Tilt floor shift columns for the 69-72s aren’t very common. I used a column from a 75 cutlass, it bolted right in with zero fabrication. The tilt columns for those cars are much easier to find.

 

Gentlemen Apologize for the long delay. A couple of issues have devoured my time. To answer Joe's query the bearings in the column were shot so we attempted a new column. The column fit but the horn was inop. This continues to be the issue we are trying to solve. My mechanic has tried a couple of remedies but the horn continues to be a frustration. The issue seems to be centered in the upper structure with the contacts not meeting to make the circuit that allows the horn to work when the horn button is pushed. Do you have any suggestions on our next step?

 

This is not a complex system. The turn signal switch has a spring-loaded post that is the horn contact. This post contacts a circular conductive ring on the bottom of the cancel cam. The top side of the cancel cam has a post that holds another spring-loaded contact, and this is what makes contact with the steering wheel horn button. All this system needs to do is close the circuit to ground between the post on the turn signal switch and the steering shaft. Start by removing the steering wheel and cancel cam and seeing if a jumper between that post on the turn signal switch and ground causes the horn to blow. I assume you've verified that simply grounding the terminal on the horn relay that the black wire connects to causes the horn to work, right?

 

Joe Your wizard knowledge of Oldsmobile's continues to blow my mind I'll bring this to my Mechanics attention. I know he has looked at this but to what extent I cannot verify. Again as always Thank You

 

Joe My mechanic has done all of what you said but he relates that the the contacts are "short" by about 1mm. when he puts it together, Have you experienced that in your years of Oldsmobile wizardry?

 

Then it isn't assembled properly. And "short" where? Between the turn signal switch and the cancel cam or between the cancel cam and the steering wheel? There are different length pins for the latter, but the former isn't possible if the column is assembled correctly.