backtothe80s

After doing some searches here, I'm more confused that I was before and was hoping for a more definitive answer.

The steering column in my 1989 GTA is in terrible shape. It's beyond a rebuild. Many of the internal parts are damaged (due to knucklehead previous owners). I've replaced most of the switches and lock cylinder so I can move those over.

My car has the steering wheel controls.

Since these cars got airbags in 1990 and nothing before 1989 has VATS, am I limited to a 1989 column only?

Could I use any 1989 third gen tilt column?

Thanks in advance!

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

If you want to retain the Steering Wheel Control than you're limited to an 89 or POSSIBLY a late 88 column. Some late 88 Pontiacs got the VATs and had SWC Steering wheels.

82-83 and 90-92 columns are not compatible with your 89. You could get away with just about any 84-89 column,..... ( excluding Berlinetta ! ) as long as you can accept no VATS and no SWC.

backtothe80s

Thank you!

backtothe80s

Question. If I were to procure a 1989 column, would any 1989 f-body column from that year have the provisions/passages for VATS and SWC or am I stuck looking for a GTA/IROC column? Thanks!

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

You are not limited to an 89. I have steering wheel controls in my car, mine is an 88. My steering wheel control cancel cam in the column somehow fried my controls and then I could no longer operate my radio because the fuse popped as well.

I was at a loss. Then I began researching a 4th gen column. If you get the one with steering wheel controls from a 4th gen, it is a direct bolt in. The only change down the line that you have to do is to get the astro van intermediate shaft. It has to be unmodified, because the main difference between the 3rd and 4th gen columns is that the end is clocked 90 degrees off from stock. All you need are these two pieces and bingo its a direct swap.

I have had this since April, quite honestly, I love it. The steering intermediate shaft is no where near as bulky and looks so much cleaner. The only thing that you have to swap from your column to the new one is the wiper multifunction switch. It is pretty straightforward.

a column from 2002 from an unbroken into car is way better than a 27 year old column that may or may not eventually cause your radio to fry.

the fourth gen column routes the steering wheel controls through the SIR coil. You don't need to hook up the airbag, all you need is the steering wheel radio control part of it. Your stock ignition switch will also just pop right into place as they are the same (just the chip in the key will be different, so in order for VATS to work you either need to swap the ignition switch or just get a new key for the new ignition switch just with the resistance value for the old ignition's chip.

Please tell me if I need to clarify anything.

backtothe80s

Wow! That's amazing. I think this may be a good solution for me. I have a few more questions, though.

I have the 87MonteCarloSS Astro steering shaft. It's definitely not unmodified, but I know it's clocked differently from the original shaft with rag joint. Length is adjustable. I replaced it because my original shaft was shot. This could be an issue with the swap, but I'll look into it. I may have to get a stock shaft.

Questions:

1. As long the car came equipped with SWC, will any 4th gen column work?

2.Will the 3rd gen steering wheel bolt in?

3. You mentioned that I'd the the wiper multifunction switch from the 4th gen. When you mention that, do you mean the actual lever on the column or do you mean the switch that operates the turn signals, brake lights, etc.

4. What about the ignition starter switch, wipers, etc? Those are compatible? Everything really plugs in?

I really appreciate you bringing this option to my attention!

alex722607

iTrader: (3)

1. yup
2. pretty much, Not 100% sure but you might have to open up the notch where the stock connector for the steering wheel controls fits They are different sizes.

3. not exactly either of the two. The multifunction switch is what the stalk plugs into, its not the cancel cam for the turn signals, its completely seperate. You have to pull the cover on the side of the column, it clips in, but becareful cause if it breaks you have to find a new cover - the source for that is corvette central
4. well the wipers are a completely seperate thing and they are a completely seperate connector and it transfers over when you transfer over the wiper switch.

Igntion and turn signals just plug right in. GM didn't really change much

Any time, almost went out and bought a GTA column then found out about this. One thing I have noticed is that my turn signals are a lot smoother to click into any direction, the stock one felt like it was going to snap every time I tried to move it. Comparison: jelly to a bed of nails

jmd

iTrader: (4)

If you care to trade your re-clocked Astro shaft for a non-modified Astro shaft, I am nearby.

backtothe80s

Not sure when I'm going to get around to the swap, but send me a PM with contact info and what part of Phoenix you're located.

backtothe80s

Forgive my sleep-deprived brain (the 1 year old still doesn't sleep through the night ), but I'm still not clear on what part you mean by the multifunction switch. I was referring to the part in the picture. I last had my column apart in June, and as I recall, the wiper/ts stalk plugged into the switch in the picture.

I'm also not sure what part of the column is prone to breakage. I'll have to look, but I can't picture a cover on the side of my column. Is that a 4th-gen thing?

Also, on the 4th gen column, did you leave the SIR wiring in place or can it be removed?

Thanks again. I'm sure it won't be too hard to locate a nice 4th gen column with SWC.

AmpleUnicorn88

Interesting. I want to swap the column out in my 88 for a 90-92 because I like the look and the wiper speed options better, plus my column is kind of loose and falling apart. And I too feel like I'm going to break my turn signal switch. I wasn't aware that the 90-92 was incompatible though. The guy I bought my 88 from said he bypassed the vats system and now there is a fuel pump cut off switch.

backtothe80s

Hey! Another Phoenix resident! In what part of Phoenix do you live?

It sounds like the 4th gen column with astro shaft is a good choice for you, too.

I would guess that the 90-92 would be physically compatible, but there may be some wiring issues. Hard to say without seeing them all side by side.

AmpleUnicorn88

I live in north Phoenix. I grew up in Fountain Hills.

I am nervous about doing any mechanical swaps because of my lack of knowledge. Granted, I can do most major engine work and remove and replace just about everything and I am pretty far into my restoration, but this is the first I'm reading about the 4th gen columns in our cars so I will have to look into it some more. I have read about the Astro linkage before but I thought that was to strengthen the 3rd gen one.

AmpleUnicorn88

There are several 3rd gens in one specific junkyard in Phoenix though so I have plenty to pull from.

John in RI

iTrader: (167)

Correct.

Is "safer" for me to say that they are not "compatible, or a direct swap. In the past I converted an 87 Camaro coupe to a 91 3.1 and did a full 87-to-91 dash swap at the same time. I decided to retain the non-air bag wheel/column and to do so I needed to re-pin one of the plugs at the base of the column (wiper plug ??) I simply kept the original ignition cylinder with the factory key turned to RUN inside the center console and used a regular key normally in the 87 column. ( VATs key was used as a "kill" switch". )

Vats, Steering Wheel controls and Wiper type ( Delay vs non delay ) effect peoples needs when they replace a column so - for me - it's best to stick with directly compatible columns when describing them.

82-83
84-88 (only some PONTIACS in 88's had VATS )
89
90-92

AmpleUnicorn88; 88 Camaro never got VATS, so I highly doubt that it was disabled. I've got a couple good 84-88 columns so if you decide to stick with the proper year column when you replace yours,...let me know. Info I'll need to know:

Got delay ?
Tilt ?
Auto or Stick ?
Want an aftermarket Grant wheel ?
Cruise or no Cruise ??

AmpleUnicorn88

Well that is interesting. That's good though because I'm not fond of the VATS system from any GM car I have ever worked with.

I don't mind the look too much of my 88 column, it's just trashed and the center pad is taped on. If you are in pheonix I might consider it since shipping would suck.
I have a manual with no tilt, no cruise, and no delay I believe, just the high or lo setting for wiper speeds which really sucks during monsson season here.