Usually, your steering column will be ok... it's the stuff inside that breaks. Typically the only reason to replace the whole column is if you want to convert to tilt column, or repairing whatever is wrong with the old column makes it economically feasable just to replace the column.

Major Assemblies - Steering Column | Ignition | Turn signal cam | Steering wheel | Horn Assembly
Related components: External Steering components: (Steering Gears, pumps, linkage)

Various steering wheel styles & horn button designs & insignia were used over the years. 1970 - unique to this year, this wheel had a hard plastic perimeter with a "thin" horn center section. 1971 & 1972 - had a hard plastic perimeter with "thick" horn center section. 1971: optional 4 spoke steering wheel (RPO NK4) with round horn button available. 1973 - 81: The 1971 optional 4 spoke steering wheel became the standard steering wheel. 1977 - 81 Z28's had a specific "rope" style steering wheel. It was identical to the 4 spoke design, but with a simulated rope texture around the edges.

From 1970 to 1972 the standard steering wheel could also have a woodgrain applique in the center horn area if the custom interior was ordered. Starting in 1974 the steering wheel, column and dash color are coded onto the trim tag.

Insignia on steering wheel:
In 1970 the Chevrolet Bow-tie insignia was on the steering wheel. From 1971 to 1972 the standard model steering wheels had "Chevrolet" on them. If the car was a Rally Sport a "RS" would be on the steering wheel. EXCEPT if the car was also a Super Sport. If the car was a SS, the SS emblem would be on the wheel. If the car was a Z28 with the RS option - RS will be on the steering wheel. This is the only time you'll find ANY RS indication on a Z28 - Z28 and SS cars always trumped RS emblems - except for the RS/Z28's steering wheel emblem. Confusing eh? Hopefully I've elaborated this well enough to avoid further confusion.

4 spoke optional wheel used a pull off horn cap with an plastic insignia button inserted into the horn button. If the car was a Z28, the chevrolet bow-tie emblem would be used. In 1974 the Camaro & Z28 had a Camaro emblem horn insert. The Type LT has a unique horn button insert. There wasn't a specific "Z28" horn button insert until the Z28 became a specific model in 1977.

Steering Column Usage

Year	Style	Part #	Code/Comments
1970	column shift w/ Tilt
1970 - 1975	column shift w/o tilt	7807880 (1970) 7812224 (71-75)
1971 - 1974	column shift w/ tilt	7812203
1975	column shift w/ tilt	7818756
1976 (early)	column shift w/tilt	7826083
1976 (late) - 1977	column shift w/o tilt	7826996
1976 (early)	column shift w/o tilt	7826134
1976 (late) - 1977	column shift w/o tilt	7826993
1978	column shift w/ tilt	7828812
1978 (early)	column shift w/o tilt	7828750
1978 (late)	column shift w/o tilt	7829516
1970 - 1974	floor shift w/tilt	7808583 & 7812204
1970 - 1975	floor shift w/o tilt	7807882 (1970) 7812229 (71-75)
1975	floor shift w/tilt	7818757
1976 (early)	floor shift w/tilt	7826084
1976 (late) - 1977	floor shift w/tilt	7826997
1976 (early)	floor shift w/o tilt	7826135
1976 (late) - 1977	floor shift w/o tilt	7826994
1978 (early)	floor shift w/tilt	7828813
1978 (late)	floor shift w/tilt	7829593
1978 (early)	floor shift w/o tilt	7828751
1978 (late)	floor shift w/o tilt	7829523
1979 - 1981	M/T floor shift w/tilt	7832165
1979 - 1980	M/T floor shift w/o tilt	7830881
1979 - 1981	A/T floor shift w/tilt	7831069 & 7832661	DB
1979 - 1980	A/T floor shift w/o tilt	7831975	WL
1981	M/T floor shift w/o tilt	7837342
1981	A/T floor shift w/o tilt	7836106

Early 1978 steering column shaft has clamp with splined tooth shaft lock. Late '78 thru 1981 is thru bolt with square keyed shaft lock.

Column shift not offered after 1978.

Steering Columns & Parts - Exploded Diagrams

Steering Column (non-tilt)

Steering Column (tilt)

Steering Column lock

Removing the steering column

Working with the steering column.
Working inside the column fixing stuff.

Steering Wheel & Horn
Horn Button & Cap - exploded view
Pulling the steering wheel.

What breaks
The horn quits working.
The steering feels "mushy".
The turn signal (and/or hazard button) doesn't work anymore, or breaks off.
The ignition gets messed up.