Steering Column Repair: 94 chevy 3500 steering column removal, turn signal switch, plastic sheath

Question
I had asked a question earlier  <B>"We are working on a 94 Chevy 3500 Pickup steering column...there is a plastic channel that the wiring for the turn signal runs thru..How do you remove this to get to the wiring. Thanks so much.<B> I realize that I didnt specify that this is a manual transmission truck with a nontilt steering wheel....we were having trouble getting the column cover off....seems there are some screws that have to be acessed after taking off the bottom ring of the cowling...so that there are the top two left ...in your diagram part number 31....we were stuck trying to get the cowling off it would just raise a inch or so and acted like it was stuck...he took the bottom of the 3 loose and found that there is a set of screws...he is now attempting to get to them to remove that middle cowling and hopefully be able to get the top off. It would be great if you could make a separate instruction sheet for the non tilt...it would be very appreciated...knowing how to take that part of the column apart is key to not swearing like a sailor lol....thanks Lee


Answer
Hi Lee:

We will post the repair procedures as soon as we get another one to rebuild and can take the pictures we need.  The How-To series on our website has been very popular.  www.stolenandrecovered.com

Regarding your job though.  the easiest way to rebuild and repair the internal components of a non-tilt gm column is to remove the entire upper and lower housings together with the actuator rod intact.
Here's how
Remove the steering wheel
Remove the lock plate and horn cam
Remove the turn signal switch...the plastic sheath trapped by the bracket needs to come off the column by removing the bracket itself and then releasing the sheath form the tube.
LEAVE the lock cylinder in place (unless you are replacing it)
On the lower half of the column, under the dash, remove the ignition switch and dimmer switch.
Take the ignition switch off of the rod and let it hang by the wires
NOW, inside the column, where the turn signal switch was, there are 4 5/16 hex head bolts (5 if you count the lock cylinder bolt)
Remove those 4 bolts and the entire housing assembly will slide off the shaft so you can disassemble it and replace whatever parts you want.

I hope this helps

Let me know
Doug