The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Has anybody torn apart a Flaming River steering column?

RustyPile · 05-19-2024, 03:19 PM

After reading the additional posts following my initial post, I feel the need to make another post. I am in no way defending Flaming River. On the contrary, I'm just giving testimony to the (lack of) quality of their product..

I bought my '71 in 2017 in non-running condition.. It took me about 2 years to get it road worthy. The Flaming River column was installed by some previous owner. The plug on the adaptor harness didn't quite match the harness in the column, so I installed a replacement T/S switch. I didn't like the way the FR lower steering shaft connected to the factory upper shaft coupler.. I eliminated that coupler, installed the afore mentioned bushing, and joined the 2 shafts with a Bergeson U-Joint coupler.

Most of the aftermarket tilt columns start with a GM column and then "Mickey Mouse" it into a universal - fit-all - configuration. Looking back, If I were looking to install a tilt column, I think I would "raid" an original GM column from the local Pick A Part yard.. Recondition it myself and fabricate the necessary bracketry to mount it.

05-19-2024, 03:19 PM	#9
RustyPile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Elkhart, Texas Posts: 1,585	Re: Has anybody torn apart a Flaming River steering column? After reading the additional posts following my initial post, I feel the need to make another post. I am in no way defending Flaming River. On the contrary, I'm just giving testimony to the (lack of) quality of their product.. I bought my '71 in 2017 in non-running condition.. It took me about 2 years to get it road worthy. The Flaming River column was installed by some previous owner. The plug on the adaptor harness didn't quite match the harness in the column, so I installed a replacement T/S switch. I didn't like the way the FR lower steering shaft connected to the factory upper shaft coupler.. I eliminated that coupler, installed the afore mentioned bushing, and joined the 2 shafts with a Bergeson U-Joint coupler. Most of the aftermarket tilt columns start with a GM column and then "Mickey Mouse" it into a universal - fit-all - configuration. Looking back, If I were looking to install a tilt column, I think I would "raid" an original GM column from the local Pick A Part yard.. Recondition it myself and fabricate the necessary bracketry to mount it.