Rebuilt Column Vendor?

[Slonaker]

I need to buy a rebuilt column for my '86 with cruise, interval wipers, tilt and everything. Who is selling a quality product these days?

I have an old bookmark for a guy who was highly recommended in the past. I think N2TRUX recommended him, maybe?

http://www.gmtiltsteeringcolumn.com/services.html

Has anyone purchased from this guy recently? Is there anyone else out there that i should be considering? FWIW, I am not on Ebay, and I don't have Paypal, so buying from one of their vendors isn't really much of an option.

Thanks,

Slonaker

EDIT: I just looked the guy in the link up on Ebay. He has almost 3500 transactions with a 100% approval, or whatever they call it...

[N2TRUX]

That's the guy I used. There is another one that is something like steeringcolumnologist but I can't find him.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

That's the guy I used. There is another one that is something like steeringcolumnologist but I can't find him.

Are you still happy with the column you bought from him?

Slonaker

[mbgmike]

We have a guy here in Tomball Texas named Pat that rebuilds them. He used to rebuild them for vendors until he got pissed about the price the vendors jacked the price to. Wasn't us. He does great work. A few guys here have used him. I can give his number if interested. I would do it now but I don't kow if he minds giving out his number on the internet. He is legit he has helped me out with customers at swap meets when i was their alone.

I have used his rebuilds also but that was before I knew about him. I bought them from other suppliers. He is very reasonable.

[N2TRUX]

Yes, I am very please with what he did for me. I told him what year my truck was and he built it to my specs.

You might compare his price with Mike's guy and check shipping too.

[f.monroe]

Whats wrong with your column ?
Frank

[Slonaker]

I would be interested in having his number, mbgmike.

Thanks for the info, N2TRUX.

Frank...I have had a problem for a long time where the turn signal lever has to be pushed down really hard to get the signals to flash, and it won't lock into place. I just broke my second lever because of it.

I have had the column apart twice, once to replace the tumbler, lever, and turn signal cam, and once to tighten up the tilt. Both times I found nothing wrong, but it worked well for a couple of days after I put it back together. Then back to the same old thing.

I have posted several times about it on here, and no one has had any suggestions regarding what the problem might be. It is not an electrical problem, which is usually what people suggest, but a problem of something preventing the lever from moving into the right position.

The truck is coming up on 250,000 miles, so it might just be time to replace it. I would rather not spend that much money on a truck I hardly ever drive, but it is getting to the point that it is making it hard to drive.

Slonaker

[old Rusty C10]

my suggestion is to make sure the screws that hold down the turn signal apparatus are good and tight and not coming loose as that would be the only thing i can think of to cause that problem.. I know back in the day when they used to "tilt" cars to steal them. almost every body shop was able to rebuild columns.. to keep costs down i dont know if that is an option or being that youre obviously able to take things apart and put them back together, why not just buy the pieces for the upper and make your own?

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

my suggestion is to make sure the screws that hold down the turn signal apparatus are good and tight and not coming loose as that would be the only thing i can think of to cause that problem.. I know back in the day when they used to "tilt" cars to steal them. almost every body shop was able to rebuild columns.. to keep costs down i dont know if that is an option or being that youre obviously able to take things apart and put them back together, why not just buy the pieces for the upper and make your own?

I talked to a couple of places locally. They both told me they had no idea what could be wrong, but that there would be a charge of at least $100 no matter what the problem was. It didn't inspire a lot of confidence in me that the "experts" had never seen this problem on such a common column, and the price they quoted me for fixing mine made the $310 it would cost me to purchase a rebuilt one outright seem pretty reasonable. Plus I wouldn't have to worry that the local guy would make a quick copy of the key while he had it.

I have considered taking it apart a third time, but I haven't found anything wrong yet so I don't know what to replace! My wife offered to buy me one for Christmas, so that option is looking better and better.

Maybe I should see what the local Pick-n-Pull gets for one. If it is reasonable, I'm sure I could make a good one out of the two. That idea seems like a good one since I have already replaced my turn signal cam, installed a tumbler that is keyed to the door, and tightened and lock-tited the 4 bolts on the tilt mechanism. My column is solid except for the turn signal switch.

Thanks for helping me think this through. I have another option to consider now.

Slonaker

[Outlaw87]

Slonaker-

There is a guy in San Antonio that sales and services rebuilt chevy columns. He's on ebay also and is a bit cheaper and seems to have a positive feedback so far. You may want to give him a call and see what he can do for you.

Here is the ebay link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-87...3#ht_608wt_958

Here is his website.
WWW.STEERINGCOLUMNSPECIALISTS.COM


Please excuse my abrupt interruption into this thread. I'm a new member and have not got around to making a proper introduction yet as i am still trying to figure everything out.

[Slonaker]

Thanks for the link.

Slonaker

[Outlaw87]

Not a problem. Hopes this helps you decide or at least give you some more options on what to do.

[dan76]

Originally Posted by Outlaw87

Slonaker-

There is a guy in San Antonio that sales and services rebuilt chevy columns. He's on ebay also and is a bit cheaper and seems to have a positive feedback so far. You may want to give him a call and see what he can do for you.


Here is his website.
WWW.STEERINGCOLUMNSPECIALISTS.COM


Please excuse my abrupt interruption into this thread. I'm a new member and have not got around to making a proper introduction yet as i am still trying to figure everything out.

Slonaker: I just spoke with this man and he seems to know how to fix your problem. He's on Applewhite Rd. Suggest you call him and see what he can do. It would be a shame to replace the entire column when he may solve the issue with a simple fix (at least for him).

[smashingchuck]

I used a place on the east coast called Steering Columns Galore when I replaced the one in my burb a few years ago. Absolutley zero problems, and I would highly reccomend them.

http://columnsgalore.com/index.htm

[Slonaker]

Thanks for the link!

Slonaker

[thirdstreettito]

Thanks for the links guys! I need my column done, and they can probably do it!

[Prong]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I used a place on the east coast called Steering Columns Galore when I replaced the one in my burb a few years ago. Absolutley zero problems, and I would highly reccomend them.

http://columnsgalore.com/index.htm

I used these guys for a column too, and no problems either. I'd recommend them as well.

[f.monroe]

Almost sounds like the turn signal switch is bad . If you remove the wheel and locking plate and unplug the switch at the base of the column , you can pull the wiring harness for the turn sig switch straight through the column without any more dissassembly . I would look at that pretty close if the only thing not working is the turn signals .
Frank

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I would be interested in having his number, mbgmike.

Thanks for the info, N2TRUX.

Frank...I have had a problem for a long time where the turn signal lever has to be pushed down really hard to get the signals to flash, and it won't lock into place. I just broke my second lever because of it.

I have had the column apart twice, once to replace the tumbler, lever, and turn signal cam, and once to tighten up the tilt. Both times I found nothing wrong, but it worked well for a couple of days after I put it back together. Then back to the same old thing.

I have posted several times about it on here, and no one has had any suggestions regarding what the problem might be. It is not an electrical problem, which is usually what people suggest, but a problem of something preventing the lever from moving into the right position.

The truck is coming up on 250,000 miles, so it might just be time to replace it. I would rather not spend that much money on a truck I hardly ever drive, but it is getting to the point that it is making it hard to drive.

Slonaker

I will pm you his number. If you still need it. This guy is good and he is a real truck guy. Knows his ****. I personally guarantee his work. If not happy I will pay the bill.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

Almost sounds like the turn signal switch is bad . If you remove the wheel and locking plate and unplug the switch at the base of the column , you can pull the wiring harness for the turn sig switch straight through the column without any more dissassembly . I would look at that pretty close if the only thing not working is the turn signals .
Frank

I never thought of that. I always assumed it was something at the top of the column. I forget that, like the ignition switch, there is stuff at the bottom. If I decide to try to fix it a third time, I'll check that.

Originally Posted by mbgmike

I will pm you his number. If you still need it. This guy is good and he is a real truck guy. Knows his ****. I personally guarantee his work. If not happy I will pay the bill.

I am still considering my options, Mike, so I would appreciate the number. I have an uncle in League City that I have not visited in a while, and I could make a little trip of it.

Slonaker

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

I never thought of that. I always assumed it was something at the top of the column. I forget that, like the ignition switch, there is stuff at the bottom. If I decide to try to fix it a third time, I'll check that.



I am still considering my options, Mike, so I would appreciate the number. I have an uncle in League City that I have not visited in a while, and I could make a little trip of it.

Slonaker

I am in League City almost every day. I live 1.5 miles away. I PM'd you his number. I will ask him if I can give it out.