Help me replace steering column 89 blazer
 

So my girlfriends friends blazer is BEATTT. But she like it, the steering column went. You can move it up and down, side to side, take the ignition switch and rotate it around the column. And if you move the column while driving the car will either shut off or change gear. Its a 89 v6, auto. What could be the cause of this? Should replace the whole column or is it fixable. If I replace the whole column I will have to swap ignition cylinders. I am planning on going to the boneyard tommorow morning and pulling a column. What special tools will I need if any. Wheel puller? What tools will I need to replace ignition cylinder. So what will I need to use to get the job done easily. Any imput is apprieciated im a Jeep and Mustang guy, so Im not familer with the s-10 blazer.

Jay

i just tore a column out of a 88 a few months back. dont remember needing anything special. bring a pair of wire cutters so you can just cut all the wires going to the column so you dont have to sit there and try to take them off. only thing that is a pain on these trucks is that plastic guard they put at where the steering shaft meets the gearbox. ive yet to figure out a easy way to pull that back, i just take a prybar and break the heck out of it. hopefully you can find a s10 with the engine pulled so you can get at it easy. but basically theres two bolts under the dash, a few on the inside of the firewall. the bolt at the steering box and i think there might be one or two on the engine side of the firewall. a basic socket set and open end wrenches should get the job done. bring a pry bar and hammer for the heck of it :)

and its possible you can get lucky and find a ignition with a key in it

I wont need the whole shaft will I. The shaft should connect to the shaft part of the column right after it comes out of the firewall right? With splines of some sort or a connection with a bolt or pin? Lets say I do need to swap ignition cylinders, will i need any tools for that? Also, I dont feel like getting charged for the steering wheel as well at the JY. I should need a steering wheel puller right?