Tilt vs Non Tilt Steering Column

[wheels78ta]

My Y88 was ordered, by original owner, with non-tilt steering.  I want Tilt steering so I bought a used Tilt Steering column.

After tearing down both non-tilt and tilt columns.....here are the differences if this is something anyone decides to try.

In the following pics......Non tilt on the left (from the Y88)....Tilt on the right (from a 1977 Trans Am).

[wheels78ta]

The wiring can be used between the two columns.  The wires are different colors on the connectors but do the same thing so I'm keeping the harness from the Y88....It's in better shape than the 1977.

The ignition switch that is mounted on the lower columns are also transferable.

But.....you cannot use the same column tubes/jackets.  They are different sizes, along with the inside tube and shaft.

The seals at the end of the shafts, towards the firewall, are also different.

Everything else can be swapped once you get past the tilt section.

Here is the link that helped me do this project......it is spot on with the disassembly....And some help from the many videos.
http://www.buickperformanceclub.com/tiltsteeringcolumnwobble.htm

The mounting plate at the firewall end of the columns are the same.  The one on the tilt column is a bit rusty so I'm going to take the one off the Y88 column and weld it to the tilt column.

If this is something you want to try, for the tilt column, watch out for the upper and lower bearings.  There are 14 little balls on each bearing and once you start tearing it down they start dropping like flies.  Luckily I was able to find all 28 little bastards.  They hit the floor and can bounce several feet.   

[wheels78ta]

Having issues with the locking plate for the tilt column.

Let me start off with.......the tilt column I bought had a lock plate and cover but it was not installed.  It was attached with a wire to hold it to the column during shipping.

I cannot get the lock plate far enough down the shaft to get the ring on to lock it in place.  Also.....the cutout groves on the outside of the lock plate will not allow the steering wheel lock pin to go far enough into the grooves to really lock the steering wheel in place.

Are there different lock plates for these columns?

[wheels78ta]

On the Y88 non tilt column.....the steering wheel locking pin goes through the grooves on both locking plates.

The locking pin on the non tilt is more tapered on the end than it is on the tilt column.

Locking plate on the left came with the tilt.......plate on the right is non tilt from the Y88.  They are identical in size including the grooves.

[Wallington]

Can you see the notch at all that the lock ring goes into? I'm wondering if the bearing further down isn't seated or a touch wide, did you swap the spring at all? Too much tension to compress or can feel it bottoming out? I haven't had one apart in 15 years, and I don't recall any issues. I don't even recall using a tool to compress. Assume the cancelling cam etc is removed for photos and testing only.

Someone like this that may have done a few recently might have answers or ideas.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394287166493

[wheels78ta]

After some research it seems there is a different lock plate that is deeper.

This is what I bought to see if it makes a difference.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176491847715?_nkw=gm+tilt+steering+lock+plate&itmmeta=01J5SKQSRNPYHCA8BNG0F7ZBAP&hash=item2917bbe023:g:E9AAAOSw6j1mpEin&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAABAHoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlMKbhzWQHo%2BRX9VVD9qxextaL3jLv9DDcjnEhxhGyMum37gJCtir6YfCEQuGqMlelsvOSBikaJaI89CthABMcZg%2BL%2Fcj7uzhTJsEuKgjU3UApEmyA9s%2F9jp7tOOrTta%2FRu%2BmkJSEV5lzj3ku0THAXSjamxTotUyr8F4SCNDA5j9dfmAfQlQ4qlP%2FMczqikUVkkwltksKUPoD5KDSaByUqV6Pdjbfj8HDIKT6RX3ozIVnAty80CPN2nf%2Brt80VEyJD08DxYdAwWjAwbvYoiFKnJO%2BEznoOK664u%2BExADzrkRvpM7k8KFYwJ%2Fbpnh%2BlBHZo%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-yc37OuZA

Ben, I've had this thing apart so many times in the last week I can do it with one hand tied behind my back.

I have checked the bearings and everything.  All seems to be seated correctly.  It's too bad the lock plate wasn't installed when I got it.

I tightened the plate down as far as I could to get the snap ring installed but it broke the canceling cam and the lock plate was bottomed out on the steering wheel release pin.

The new lock plate I ordered is deeper so I believe it will work.  Once I get it and installed I'll update.

It is possible that this column is not from a TA but it has the same measurements.

Thanks for the link.  If I keep having problems I'll see if they can help.

[Wallington]

Fingers crossed. Forgot to mention/wasn't sure if relevant but the saved pics I had of someone else's 79TA Tilt steering column resto used that 4-window lock plate you just bought. My own tilt-rebuild pre-dated digital pics so I didn't take any, that I can find anyway but would have said it's also what mine had.
What happened to your original, or didn't work after combining the various parts and swapping to tilt?

I just had a look in the Parts manual and there is indeed different part numbers for Tilt vs Non-Tilt locking plates. There's a few different application numbers also used but they are still not shared between the 2 types.

[wheels78ta]

The original non tilt worked fine.  I wanted tilt for the ease of getting in and out of the car.

My gut, along with joint aches and pains is making it harder to get in and out of low sitting vehicles. 

The tilt inner and outer tubes were rusted and pitted in some places so I used the non tilt tubes but I had to do some cutting and welding to make a nice set for the tilt one.

All in all it came out very nice.  The locking plate is the only thing that is keeping it from being finished.  Once I'm done I'll put everything in the build thread.  Sadly I didn't get any pics of the cutting and welding to show what was kept and/or discarded but I can show where it was worked on.

[Wallington]

How'd you go, worked this time?

[wheels78ta]

Hey, Ben

I forgot about this....been working on getting the AC components ready.

Yes....the new locking plate worked like it should.  It is all together and working......but not installed in the car yet.  I'll post pics later today.

[wheels78ta]

Pics of new locking plate and after paint.  Ready to install.