Thats a fair question. When I bought the car, there was a lot of play in the column. Like if the wheel was locked, you could hold onto the steering wheel, then rotate it in a circle 360*, instead of it staying put. The wheel itself wasnt the issue, but something in the column. Tightening the tilt screws was a good idea and when I took the column apart to do that, all four screws were loose or had completely backed out. However, tightening them didnt solve the problem. I also found other broken parts inside the column and it kind of went downhill from there. The person I bought the car from was less than forthcoming about the actual condition (big shock there) but for the price I paid, Im not real upset about it. Once I got the column together, I found I could no longer shift the car, because the column shifter is stuck. The lock mechanism inside the column is also stuck, so I bypassed that so I could at least start the car. Time is a factor and as much as Id like to understand the intricacies of the steering column, I just dont have the time to continue to diagnose and attempt to repair the column in an effort to get the car to just move and drive. Which is why I went down the path of replacing the entire column. I wasnt worried about the color or the steering wheel differences. As long as it would bolt to the intermediate shaft and wasnt sacrificing too much space in the cabin. But, I was thinking of having something mostly stock - so Id been looking at the obvious choices of something from a Century, Celebrity or a Ciera sedan.

I did find a place yesterday that would do a complete rebuild on the column. Im probably going to go this route, just because I know everything will be in working order when I get it back and will be one less thing I have to worry about with the car. Its a little more expensive route, but one of the things I am trying to do with this car is reinstate some kind of quality. This car has been such a mess and everything I work on with this car has some sort of an issue. This would fix whatever issues the column has without worrying about whether I got the wrong column.

I agree that these cars are pretty sparce in the junkyard. I see a Ciera or a Century in the scrapyard every once in awhile, but its rare. I think a lot of these were crushed during the 'Cash for Clunkers' program the government was peddling a number of years ago.

Im still learning about this platform, so I appreciate all of the information. Its been super helpful in trying to figure this out. Im going to be taking the column out regardless in the next couple of days, so I'll take pictures when I get it out and post them.

the only appreciable difference in the columns other than the design of its functions and the wiring (which should match if you go similar year), gear count, and tilt/no tilt/ telescopic , is that the collapsible column measurements are different. could be swapped, but none of them would impale you vs not kind of thing
Probably just due to regulatory requirements they had to be specific

like i said, any similar column so you could get it from a buick or chevy and use your steering wheel

I could put my 1990 olds 88 wheel on my 1980 gmc
if i wanted to

SIR columns are different, tho

Ahhh, makes sense!

I suspect that, in the long run, getting the current column rebuilt will be the least expensive and definitely the least time-consuming option. It'* amazing to see a car of this platform in a junkyard any more, and the ones that are there are pretty used up.

id say its easier to swap

BUT i think fixing the current one would be easiest but thats without knowing what is wrong
pictures would help us help him

I agree, IF he can find one. If it were me, and I wanted it soon, I'd get it rebuilt if I already knew of someone. Donor cars like this have just about disappeared completely, and the columns in those are probably about as worn out as his is.