My 88 coupe steering has the death wobbles like mad. Can I pick up any year column and change it out? Or do I need an 88? Thanks in advance.

They are the same. You can also take yours apart and tighten the screws that let it wobble.

The Manual columns have the lever to remove the key - The auto columns have the connection for the cable to the shifter that doesn't allow it to shift out of gear. You will want to not swap manual to auto unless you're willing to change the parts in the column.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/088020.html

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 10-05-2010).]

I was looking at Jazzman's thread on rebuilding the column and it looks like a little more than I want to deal with. Do I really have to take all of those parts out to reach those 4 screws?

Just read some more...looks like I could get away with just pulling the steering wheel and the pivot pins to remove the front section right?

[This message has been edited by Curlrup (edited 10-05-2010).]

Yep, great design, huh? They didn't just use it in Fieros, either, MILLIONS of GM cars have the same crappy column!

I was able to snake a straight screw driver in there and tighen the torx screws enough to stop the wiggle 6 months ago and apparently tighten them enough to keep it away so far. I did that wihout taking apart the pivot. I could only reach 3 of the four. I figured I'd go all the way if it came back.

I wouldn't use an 84 column. I know that the cruise and I think wiper electronics is different on an 84 (like everything else.)
I wouldn't be surprised if the column wiring/circuitry is different, although I don't know that it is.

I was in the local Upull-it two weeks ago and was looking for possible substitutes for the Fiero column. I saw a Jeep Wrangler column that looked very much like the Fiero column and got the high beam and ignition switch from it that fits my car. I need to measure the Fiero and the Jeep to the coupling and if it is the same, I don't see a reason that it wouldn't work. They appear to be about the same length and both are GM made.

I had mine repaired yesterday. The bottom two screws were the ones that were loose and are the easiest to get at. They were reinstalled with some loctite on the threads. I was told it was much easier to repair by taking the steering column out. There are many small parts and that is why I took it to the shop. The shop did do all four and the top two were the hardest to get at. More parts to get out along with many "special" tools needed. Any one you get from a junk yard may be in similiar shape..loose bolts.