[Aerotech]

I have an apparently very rare 66 Caprice tilt-tele column in my hot rod. The turn signal switch has gone out and the lower bearing has separated. I need to get it repaired if possible as I want to save the column shifter and preserve the overall look. Is there anyone I could send this column to and have it rebuilt?

[LATECH]

Dont you have any garages around where you live. Look for the old guy (like me) who has been doing this crap for 30 years ( I am 52).
Cadillac also had tilt telescope columns, in more than one year IIRC.
My 65 Coupe De Ville had one, and I remember working on a few in 70s models too.
Just sayin...maybe some of the parts will directly interchange.
I repair anything on a car, an old steering column is a piece of cake(for me)
just need to find a decent garage close by to take it to.
Maybe someone else will chime in who knows a good place close by to you or at least some where to send it.

[Aerotech]

I'm an old guy, too (54) and it's getting so WE'RE the "old guys" that everyone else asks about their old cars. The average parts/service guys now have no clue about old T-T columns even if they could get the parts (which they can't). This is one of the ONLY things I don't want to do on my own car. I need a shop that specializes in this kind of repair and can get the rare parts required. Even if I have to ship it and wait.

[cobalt327]

I cannot help w/a shop, but for parts you might be able to source parts from a MOPAR column. More on this: tilt and telescopic column - ChevyTalk --The Social Network for Chevy Fans

[41 kustom]

I rebuilt mine last year and got parts from Auto Zone. It's not hard to do. I got a blow up off the Internet and just took my time. I made a puller for the wheel. That's about the only special tool you'll need. Good luck. By the way, you are not the old guys, I'm 63. I would love to be 53 again!!!!!!!! HA HA

[LATECH]

41 Kustom ... .

[Aerotech]

Thanks 41 kustom! Do you also have a '66 T-T column? I know many parts are unique to this unit, but I am hoping the switch mechanism is common. Info on the lower bearing would also help. The T-T mechanism is good and tight (a miracle on these old columns!) Any info on Autozone part #s or brand name?

[41 kustom]

My column is from a 65-68 olds I believe. I'm under the impression that that column was used in many different GM cars
from Chevys to Caddys. I found a part number for a 66 Chevelle that might interchange to your column.Auto zone Number sw 3027. Get all the info you can and find a parts store that has a car guy working there, not a make-
model-year guy. Good luck. The bearing should be easy being a GM.

[Aerotech]

That part # does indeed cross-reference to a 1966 Caprice, however it is not clear if it fits the tilt-tele column. The detent cam, which I also need, is for the non-tilt column. I'm assuming you have personal experience with this working in your t-t column? Any ideas where to get the detent cam?

[66GMC]

NAPA Echlin #DL-6187 fits your car with tilt column.
==========================================

The Autozone #SW3027 crosses to NAPA Echlin #DL6173, which fits the non-tilt column.
================================================== ================

I just found this at Impala Bob's ...
They also call it a TS switch ???

#SM201


Chevy Impala Parts by H.I.P. - 1963-66 STEERING COLUMN BEARING AND BUSHING LOWER W/TILT (ea)
#6366SCBLT

HTH

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by Aerotech

That part # does indeed cross-reference to a 1966 Caprice, however it is not clear if it fits the tilt-tele column. The detent cam, which I also need, is for the non-tilt column. I'm assuming you have personal experience with this working in your t-t column? Any ideas where to get the detent cam?

I'm not 100% sure what this "detent cam" is.
Can you post a picture of it?

[66GMC]

Steering Columns Galore's Rebuilt Steering Column Page

Apparently the site has an on-line catalog under construction.
But there is contact information and a tech line.

[Aerotech]

The dl 6187 will work for the tilt column, but what about the t-t? My column is a very early model with no ignition switch or hazard flasher. There are only 5 wires. Of course I can cut the extras. The detent cam, or whatever it's called, is what holds the lever up or down until it cancels.

[41 kustom]

All I replaced was the Complete part. I would say it comes with the detent. Check number 49308.

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by 41 kustom

All I replaced was the Complete part. I would say it comes with the detent. Check number 49308.

Nope. Thats a Dorman Products part #, and the Dorman site says that it fits non-tilt column.

I dug up an interesting conversation on the ChevyTalk forum that you might want to read thru, and determine what is / isn't correct information.

It seems to suggest that the 1966 column was a "one-off" edition in at least one response, and is said to be "similar" to many others, other than perhaps the floor mounting bracket (3-hole versus 4-hole)

They also suggest that SAGINAW columns were also installed in some Dodge cars of the same vintage.

How rare is it? Here's a figure to put to it. Out of 1,499,878 full size Chevy's there were 17,484 tilt-tele (N37) columns installed in the 1966 production run. For comparison, out of that same figure 447,011 (30 %) had deluxe air conditioning . They are tough to find, especially complete ones. The column in the pictures that 59fins took is not Chevrolet as JimKshortstep4X4 pointed out. Very possibly another, ahem, division of GM. It also could be Chrysler. The stainless (aluminum?) part and tilt/signal levers look a lot like Chrysler columns I have seen. Saginaw was the OEM supplier for GM and Chrysler tilt-tele columns.

As far as the Echlin part number DL-6187 that I supplied ... yes, it is the complete switch assembly, which includes the cancelling cam.

I cannot, however, confirm that it would be correct for the T/T column without a call to the tech line. I will shoot them an e-mail and ask ... and will expect to have a reply in the next day or two.