Steering Column Replacement
 

I have a 96 Blazer. 4x4 shift on the column. We did a lock tumbler replacement in a huge hurry during a crazy blizzard and trashed the IGN switch and broke off the shift mech. (and the plate it mounts to) I have E-brake and ABS brake lights on, no power windows and no blower. Everything I've read says that's the IGN switch. I figure the easiest way to knock out both of these issues is to completely swap the entire column. I've been researching this for days and days before I actually dig into it so as not to cause more of a problem. I'm not completely mechanically stupid but I'm no ASE mechanic either. My biggest question (and may be a ridiculous one) is how does the column connect at the firewall to the int. shaft? Is it easier to separate the shaft at the orange boot or leave it intact? I've read that the connection at the firewall is under the booster so I'm worried about how to get down there. Any input/help with this would be appreciated. Also if there are any tricks to aid this swap, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

i dont think ive ever done a newer s10 but plenty of older ones. on the older ones you took it all out in one piece. after you unplug all the wiring and unbolt the bolts off the firewall from the inside and outside you pull the whole assembly out. but some newer cars and trucks have steering columns that unbolt from the shaft under the column and you just change that part.

sorry i cant give you a positive answer, if you are getting a new column take a look at that one and that should give you a idea of how to change it

I got the thing pulled out yesterday and the new one fitted today. I got all worked up over nothing. The whole shaft unbolts in the cabin at the fire wall but it was easier to allow the upper half of the shaft to come out with the column as it took some persuasion from a mallet to marry up the new column and said upper shaft portion. The new column had no brake to shift mech. tho and now the truck can be taken out of park even with the key out which I'm not totally comfortable with. Does anyone know if this is how a '95 column was made or did the previous owner mess that up? It should be noted that there was a bundle of about 5 or 6 relays spliced into the actual ignition wires (which was fun to stuff back into the kick panel)