GM Steering column question

I have a 80's GM van tilt steering column, and I took the column shifter off via a grinder... the sleeve that the shifter was attached to is still on the column, and I'd like to remove it to replace it with the ribbed pieces from a Riviera column... If I go at it with a cut-off wheel in a die grinder, what's lurking under there that I may hit? I plan leave a little to attach the Riviera parts too.

 

Are you asking how to take apart a van tilt column?

http://selectric.org/manuals/column/index.html

(see page 2 for the exploded view)

I can't even tell if you're working on the top or bottom end of the column...

 

Hey Squirrel! What up boss?

4t64rd, You'll probably have to take it apart to remove the steering wheel lock pin mechanism. I don't quite get the Riveria parts, are they replacement housings, or just external decorative trim that covers the shifter hole?

 

They are ribbed aluminum covers that will replace that collar, Rivieras had floor shift, so they went all fancy... the Riv comes in 2 pieces, so all I have to do is get the old one out of the way.

The only thing I see the existing collar did besides holding the column shifter is preventing the key to be turned if it was in any gear but "P" or "N", since I moved the shifter to the floor, it's doesn't do anything. (Don't worry, there's a N.S.S. on the shifter)

 

Here's the column and Rivi column cover (Thanks Jeff!)