How hard is it to change a steering column on a 72 cutlass? Im tackling that project this weekend and have never done it before. Any special tools required? Ive already pulled the wheel.

 

is it a column shift or floor shift automatic or manual ?

 

TAke photos and post them!!! I have to do this with my car soon. Swapping out the OEM to a tilt one. Far as I can see from the Assembly manual, it shouldn't be that hard. Just don't break any of the electrical connectors at the bottom of the column, and make sure the replacement column is for the right year range. You are swapping the column for a 68-72 range? If not, the connectors at the bottom of the column may not work for you. Also don't forget to swap your gear select lever and turn signal stalks so they match your car. I'll be watching your post for results. Hope it goes really well for you.

 

I'm doing this to my car this weekend, switching from 3 on the tree to a floor shifter. Now the question is do I weld bolts sticking up from the floor to mount the shifter or use sheet metal screws? lol anyone know screws are factory? sorry, hopefully you have this question too

 

A simple column swap should take a couple hours if you've never done it, a lot less if you have, and if you've got all the tools and parts ready to go.
I did one a couple of months ago - thought it would take about an hour, and it would have, but I spent a long time fiddling with the steering lock plate to get the lock cylinder out of the original (too stubborn to drop $10 on a lock plate tool), with the shifter link (rusted clip), and with the rag joint (damn '73 plastic cover).

If you've got the rag joint accessible and you're not wasting time messing with the little lock plate clip, then all it is is:

• 4 phillips head screws holding the dashboard trim plate on
• ¼" (or was it 5/16?)-head sheet metal screw holding the AT pointer, if so equipped
• 5 or 6 ⅜"-head sheet metal screws holding the cover plate to the firewall
• 2 rag joint nuts and bolts (same size wrench, but the actual screws are different diameters, at least on later models)
• Spring pin holding gear selector lever to pushrod at firewall
• 4 nuts holding column to dash bracket
• Signal light plug
• 3 ignition switch plugs
• ...and yank that puppy!

Installation is easier with a helper to guide the floppy end through to the steering box.

- Eric

 

Eric,
Quick question. I can get replacement new rag joints from a guy who makes them (couple of hours away in SK). Is it worth replacing the rag joints, or do they stay pretty much ok since it appears to be 'pressed' from both sides?

 

There was some discussion about this recently.

In my experience, I haven't encountered one that was loose (over about a dozen 1968-73 GM cars between 1980 and 2011), but many others said that they had, and had needed to change the rubber.
I'd say, if the rubber feels solid, and doesn't introduce any play into your steering, then don't mess with success.

- Eric

 

The car actually had both column and console shifters but only the column was hooked up. I figured I would just finish the job converting it to the center console. Its automatic.

 

WICKED!!! A steering wheel on each side; one for the driver and one for the wanna be...