1976 Chevy C10 Tilt Steering Column Rebuild - GM Tilt Column Repair 1969-1976

Does your Chevy C10 have loose steering? You've tried to adjust the steering column, replaced some bearings and even replaced the steering wheel, but still, the steering is sloppy. David Spence will show you how to do a complete teardown and get into the guts of the steering column. At 20:55 we realized that the bearing was installed upside down. You may skip over this part, if you wish. However, there may be useful information that leads up to this part of the video. This video does get bit long, but you will find it informative and detailed. We will show you the tips and tools to complete your steering system rebuild and get you driving once again with confidence.
This tilt steering column rebuild is part of our 1976 Chevy C10 shop truck restoration project.
If you like to take on projects of your own, you might like our website customreplications.com/ We have a new swap meet section that you might enjoy. If you don't find what you're looking for, feel free to ask.
Music in this video is courtesy of KZbin Audio Library
Disco Heart by Coyote Hearing

[@monstermccallum]

Thank you so, so much for this video. I am from Tasmania, Australia and my wife brought a 1973 El Camino and it has this exact issue. From watching this brilliant step by step you habe saved us countless dollars as well as valuable time.

[@CarzPlus]

Wow! Thank you so much for letting us know.

[@monstermccallum]

I will be checking out your other videos to see what you have that may be applicable to my 1972 Chev Kingswood Wagon. Both our cars are quite rare here in Australia.

[@kgroombr]

By far the best video on youtube on this subject! Best detail, and pace. Thank you!

[@CarzPlus]

Wow, thanks! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@Barbantus]

This video needs more likes. I could not figure out why my steering column had so much play in it after I put everything back together. The way this collar is shaped makes it seem like it's supposed to hold the spring. I wasted so much time on this! You saved my LIFE BRO!

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you so much for taking the time away from tackling your steering column project, leaving these kind words, and expressing your thanks. It's greatly appreciated.

[@JG0en187]

Thank you for making this video its was a huge help dont think I could have fixed my wheel without it.

[@CarzPlus]

Thanks so much. Happy to help!

[@marklaas4475]

I don't even own a classic truck yet but I am going to. You're so detailed and I could listen to you talk all day 🤣 great stuff!

[@CarzPlus]

I appreciate that! Thank you so much for watching. It's good to hear that you find our videos useful.

[@ryanlutton8193]

Very well done! "Slots to the front of the truck". That is my problem! I have it the other way, ball bearings keep tilting out of place when I install lockplate/retainer. Going back out to try again for the 97th time haha. Thank you so much!

[@CarzPlus]

Happy to help! Glad you found our video and that you were able to solve a frustrating problem. Thanks for watching!

[@alexandradelucadean2365]

Xc

[@believelandbrad]

Absolute life saver. Can't thank you enough!

[@CarzPlus]

Our pleasure. Glad you found the video useful. Thanks for watching!

[@RedBeardCarpentryWoodworks]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this info. I had the very same issue with mine and my ball bearings went everywhere when I disassembled. With this video I can now confidently fix!!

[@CarzPlus]

You're so very welcome, and happy to know that you can go forward with your project. Thanks for watching!

[@jeremyhartman1225]

Thanks for the video. I had to change the pot metal piece that always breaks in the tilt for the ignition. Wouldn't have been able to do it without your video. 👍💯

[@CarzPlus]

Glad it helped! Thank you for sharing the outcome of your project. Thanks for watching!

[@randywelch55]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Thank you for this video.

[@CarzPlus]

Our pleasure! We're happy to know that you found the video useful. Thanks for watching.

[@greglenz9654]

That had to be the best damn how to video,very very informative Thanks &keep up the good work.

[@CarzPlus]

Wow, thank you for writing something so nice. Happy to know that you appreciated our efforts. Thanks for watching!

[@tmmyjay]

Excellent video.

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you very much for the nice comment. It's encouraging. Thanks for watching!

[@inrealitywetrust2610]

Thank You Thank You

[@CarzPlus]

You are very welcome and a pleasure to know that we've helped. Thanks for watching!

[@racer4901]

Wow what a job. Do non tilt wheels have the u joint. The plastic piece below that is broken on my 82. The gear indicator screws to it and it is broken there. I may just rivet a small piece of metal to the plastic and attach the gear indicator to the metal. Removal would be too much trouble

[@CarzPlus]

Yes, quite lengthy. The universal joint would not be needed in a non-tilt column, but I haven't worked on non-tilt columns and could be incorrect in that assumption. Thanks for watching.

[@pablojulio5071]

On the original centering sphere you can open the spring up and that will tighten up the joint

[@CarzPlus]

I would suspect you are correct about that. As long as I had to do it and the part was available new I went with new.

[@drewdowncutomz4792]

Any way I can swap the signal wiring with out digging that deep? I'm puting a tilt colum on my 73 but wiring for colum doesn't match

[@CarzPlus]

There are 3 ways I can think of off hand. Find a plug that mates to the column you are using and wire it to match where the wiring comes out of your column. Second, hard wire the wires from your column using soldered connections and heat shrink tubing where the wires leave your column. Third, use quick disconnects to do the same. I would use the first method, as it would be the cleanest looking finish install. All of these assume that the turn signal unit in your column is functional.

[@rafaelmendez4789]

hello friend, your video helped me a lot to disassemble the column of my chevy since I have the same problem, but could you tell me where I can get the parts that I replace in the video to be able to change them to my chevy as well

[@CarzPlus]

This is where we found ours. Here's a link for the tilt steering column rack and bearing rebuild kit: www.vintagejeepparts.com/products/83510055_Tilt-Steering-Column-Rack-and-Bearing-Rebuild-Kit.html

[@TheEasye1955]

How do you remove the retainer ring??

[@TheBubbagumprocks]

That bearing you took out at 20 minutes even on the back of the column shaft. Whats the piece called? Mine broke and can't find replacement

[@CarzPlus]

I would talk to a steering column rebuilding company to see if you can source one.

[@bradyschuh4732]

Any idea where I can find that tool? I've searched all through the interwebs? The job tool you mentioned.

[@CarzPlus]

Try GM Parts Giant. Let us know if you have any luck there. Thanks for watching!

[@rayr2779]

No love there. We would all love to be able to use this tool but sadly can't be found :-(@@CarzPlus

[@alexvelez2141]

Hey boss do you happen to have the part number for that tool you recommend? I screen shot the page you put in the video but i dont see a part number and cant find that tool. Thanks in advance

[@CarzPlus]

No, unfortunately we don't. Have you tried LMC truck. We might have purchased ours there. Thanks.

[@CarzPlus]

Sounds good. Thanks for the tip. Always good for our viewers to hear and share new ideas.

[@rayr2779]

Nope. No love there either.@@CarzPlus

[@davecolquhoun9315]

This would be a great how to do it, however, it just needs a little time edit, take out the part, where the piece is installed wrong, and it will be great.

[@CarzPlus]

There is a subtitle at around 20:55 that gives the warning, "bearing is upside down." We can make a notation in the description as well in case viewers want to skip over this part of the video. I believe at the time of publication, we had it in mind that there was information leading up to the point when the bearing is upside down and a retake would have been extremely difficult. Maybe at the same time it gives caution that the bearing is installed wrong, and maybe it's a way to tell our viewers not to make the mistake. Your comment is valid in that it would shorten the video for easier viewing. At this point in time it would require and edit of the actual video and republication, which would upset the algorithm and bring the view count to zero. Thanks for watching.

[@davecolquhoun9315]

@@CarzPlus OK, makes sense , I just watch , to learn, and get distracted with extra information, HAA HA

[@mikelink8094]

Did you ever find a place to get the job tool for the centering sphere?

[@CarzPlus]

No, we just accomplished it with brute force. Not a preferred method in my book, but it worked.

[@laynegruver4959]

When you replaced the bearing did the outer ring stay in because mine exploded and the only thing that stayed was the outer ring and I cant figure out how to get it out

[@CarzPlus]

The parts were easy to remove on mine. The worst issue I had was making sure I got all the old ball bearings out. A very pointed tweezers might help in your case. It sounds like there may be some galling on one of the parts causing the ring to hang up.

[@laynegruver4959]

@@CarzPlus I've gone to the next part of the steering column so I can push it out from the back I got one of the 8/32 screw pins out but they are really in there

[@gimmefuel7268]

With this be the same for a 1984 model Chevy truck?

[@CarzPlus]

Since the columns are different in a number of ways, I cannot guarantee this will be the same.

[@rayraysalsero]

i need a steering column for my 96 f-150. Would they for that truck?

[@CarzPlus]

Having not worked with a 96 F-150 I can not say yes.

[@davecolquhoun9315]

Oh and change the title to GM tilt column repair 69-76 or what ever the year span is, as they are all the same, and it will get more eyes, I watched , and I am doing a 71 Camaro

[@CarzPlus]

Thank you. That's a good suggestion. I can and will edit the KZbin title. You're right. It will help with keyword searches. Anything within the video will stay the same. Thanks again!

[@imabuzzard1]

you're working way too hard. use a gm lock plate compression tool to remove snap ring. All of the gm and jeep parts are assembled in Saginaw, Mi. and interchange. Net dealer price on the bearing packs is under $20. You will also find that the Chrysler tilt columns use the same internal parts as GM. Snap on sells the swivel pin removal tool for the pins. The first time you break your 8/32 screw in the pin you'll regret not having the correct removal tool.

[@CarzPlus]

I'd have to agree. At the time I was too cheap to buy one. Later on, I did.