Trials and Tribulations of a Steering Column Swap

[firebane]

Yes... There is a difference between a 1996 and a 1998 steering column.
Yes... The airbag and steering wheel are different between 1996 and 1998

If you get a used steering column with the ignition still in it GET the key otherwise you will be SOL.
Grease is a much needed when putting the clips onto the steering linkage
Cannot remove the igntion without removing the top cover from the column.

 

[Horns]

Even a lot of 97's have the wide flat air bag section.

 

[firebane]

Oh and did I forget make sure the steering wheel is bolted on before putting the airbag on *facepalm*

Now I have to take the airbag off.

 

[1997chevydriver]

Even a lot of 97's have the wide flat air bag section.

They switched to the smaller squareish air bag in 98

 

[Horns]

They switched to the smaller squareish air bag in 98

Cool cool. I knew my 97 was the large flat one, but I didn't know if they were all that way.

 

[1997chevydriver]

Cool cool. I knew my 97 was the large flat one, but I didn't know if they were all that way.

From what I have found yes. Im sure there are 1 or 2 oddballs out thee to prove me wrong though

 

[firebane]

Yeah there are a few changes even to the steering wheel.

For example on say a 96 the shape is different so the plastic backing is differen't shaped than a 98 as well as the airbags on a 96 is clipped in by a single pin where the 98 is clipped in by 2 pins on each side for a total of 4.

The other thing I noticed on a 96 was that the airbag has a seam in the middle running veritically where the 98 does not and appears to be one piece.