Never really paid any attention until I picked up my Formula with broken steering column lock. It is an auot trans. but my question is can I swap a column from a maunal trans without difficulty or are there diferences?

Thanks

I just replaced my steering column as mine was broken from theives wanting to start it with a screw driver.I dont think there is any difference,however If you want options such as tilt steering,cruise control or wiper delay,make sure your new column has these options.

I'm not sure if there is a problem using a manual trans. column on an Auto trans. car.

There is definately a potential safety problem using an Auto Trans. column on a manual trans. car.

The manual trans. column has a lever that must be depressed in order to lock the column and remove the key. The auto trans. column does not have this feature. I heard of one incident where the throttle stuck on a car with manual transmission and an auto. trans column. In an effort to stop the car the driver simply turned off the ingition to stop the engine. Unfortunately this also locked the steering column causing the car to run off the road. (The steering in an auto trans. car can only be locked when the shifter is put in park).

The annoying lever is there for a reason.

I know this sounds like a remote possibility but everyone should be aware of it anyway.

Be safe,

Carroll

I guess that litte lever did have a reason for being there. I put in a column from a automatic and all I changed was the ignition switch on the column itself. The auto column had a cable that ran to the floor shifter. I guess that lever was a safety thing. But I like it much more without the lever.

If the throttle does stick open, just keep a cool head and roll the ignition back till the engine cuts out. Its happened to me in a FORD(piece of Sh!t).

88Ironduke

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Pilots without maintenance are pedestrians with a cool jacket and sunglasses.
I.F.Y.A.M.Y.A.S

quote Originally posted by Mike Murphy:...my question is can I swap a column from a maunal trans without difficulty or are there diferences? Thanks

Just the differences already noted, the key release lever on the stick column and the Park lock-out on the auto column. I did this swap myself to get a tilt wheel in the more desirable car, it was easy.

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These steeringing columns are commonly refered to as Saginaw columns. They are used in a huge number of GM cars.

The joy of a parts bin car is... you can get columns from other cars. Just take the dead one with you and compare them carefully before buying the replacement.

You might could even put a tilt/telescope one in. I've never had time to look into this one.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.