{"id":422,"date":"2019-01-18T22:08:23","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T22:08:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garage-scene.com\/wp\/?page_id=422"},"modified":"2019-02-26T17:31:56","modified_gmt":"2019-02-26T22:31:56","slug":"t5-install-steering-column","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/garage-scene.com\/wp\/t5-install-steering-column\/","title":{"rendered":"17. Steering Column"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Installing a T5 into a 1978-1988 GM A\/G Body<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1978-1981 = GM A Body\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01982-1988 = GM G Body<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

17. Steering Column<\/strong><\/h2>

After replacing an automatic transmission with a manual transmission, the interaction between the steering column and the transmission no longer exists, which creates a safety hazard\u2014the ignition key may be switched to the lock position in one step causing loss of steering control. With the automatic transmission installed, switching the ignition key to the lock position was a two\u2011step process\u2014the transmission must be in Park before the ignition key can be switched to the lock position. All 1978\u20111981 GM A\u00a0body cars with manual transmissions were equipped with a key release lever on the steering column. The key release lever must be depressed before the key can be switched to the lock position (there is no connection between the transmission shift linkage and the steering column). After installing a manual transmission, a steering column with a key release lever is required to restore the two\u2011step process.<\/p>

The base of the automatic transmission steering column has holes to accommodate the shift tube lever and the reverse lamp switch. The base of the manual transmission steering column has no provision for a shift tube lever or reverse lamp switch (Figure\u00a017\u20111). To satisfy my requirement that the swap look authentic, a steering column with no shift tube or provisions for a shift tube was required.<\/p>

Figure\u00a017\u20111: A\/G\u00a0Body Automatic Transmission Steering Column (foreground) and A\u00a0Body Manual Transmission Steering Column (background)<\/p>

<\/p>

For 1978\u20111981 GM A\u00a0body cars, the swap is relatively straightforward. Install a factory manual transmission steering column. Note that the bottom of the 1978 GM A\u00a0body lower steering shaft is splined and beginning in 1979 the lower steering shaft is of the double\u2011D design. The 1978 steering column can be used in a 1979\u20111981 GM A\u00a0body if used in conjunction with a 1978 intermediate shaft.<\/p>

For 1982\u20111988 GM G\u00a0body cars, the swap is more complicated. In 1982, the windshield wiper\/washer switch was relocated from the left side of the dashboard to the left side of the steering column, and a manual transmission was no longer available. Therefore, no factory steering column exists for 1982\u20111988 GM G\u00a0body cars with a manual transmission.<\/p>

To retain the two\u2011step safety feature and still have a factory\u2011appearing steering column in 1982\u20111988 GM G\u00a0body cars with a manual transmission, there are two solutions to this problem. Relocate the wiper\/washer controls to the dashboard, as in 1978\u20111981 cars, and install a 1978\u20111981 factory manual transmission steering column, or install a custom steering column that incorporates a key release lever.<\/p>

In my searches, I have never personally seen a 1978\u20111981 A\u00a0body factory manual transmission tilt steering column, but I have seen photographs (Figure\u00a017\u20112). For a 1982\u20111988 GM G\u00a0body car, it is easier and cheaper to purchase or build a custom tilt steering column than it is to track down and buy a factory tilt steering column for a 1978\u20111981 GM A\u00a0body car and then relocate the wiper\/washer switch to the dashboard.<\/p>

Figure\u00a017\u20112: 1979\u20111981 GM A\u00a0Body Factory Manual Transmission Tilt Steering Column<\/p>

<\/p>

Photographs courtesy of\u00a0Randy Johnson<\/a><\/p>

In my 1986 Monte Carlo SS (Figure\u00a017\u20113), I installed a custom steering column assembled by\u00a0Randy Johnson<\/a>\u00a0(RD\u00a03 Box\u00a0228B, Montrose, PA, 18801, 570\u2011663\u20113057). Randy\u2019s steering columns have been completely disassembled and all external parts have been media blasted, primed, and sprayed OEM black. All internal parts have been cleaned, inspected, replaced as needed, lubricated, and reassembled to factory specifications. I chose to install a black ignition lock rather than a chrome lock. The black lock was not available in the Monte Carlo, but was available in the F\u00a0body.<\/p>

Figure\u00a017\u20113: View of Steering Column With Key Release Lever (1986 Monte Carlo SS)<\/p>

<\/p>

In my 1983 Malibu Wagon (Figure\u00a017\u20114), I scoured the junkyards, bought the necessary parts, and assembled a custom steering column myself. To build a tilt steering column for manual transmission 1982\u20111988 GM G\u00a0body cars that looks as if it is original equipment, the following parts are needed:<\/p>