64 Column Problems
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Le Mans Master
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From: New York New York
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64 Column Problems
I have been going over my 'new' Vette and I am almost finished. So tonight I was checking why the steering wheel is so far off from being centered. I disconnect the pitman arm to find the center of travel and I noticed the upper wheel hub is scrapping on the lower signal switch housing.
I have the 63 & 64 shop manual but I didn't find an exploded view.
So I see that it has a lock screw and I assume wedge like the my 61 has but it is not there.
Here is some pictures of what I found.
Someone put and allen screw straight into the housing:
Notice the eccentric wear patern:
This appears to be OK:
I assume this is where the wedge should go:
And now the big problem. Two or three of the ears are missing. How may ears should it have?
Has anyone repaired this or do I look for another column?
I have the 63 & 64 shop manual but I didn't find an exploded view.
So I see that it has a lock screw and I assume wedge like the my 61 has but it is not there.
Here is some pictures of what I found.
Someone put and allen screw straight into the housing:
Notice the eccentric wear patern:
This appears to be OK:
I assume this is where the wedge should go:
And now the big problem. Two or three of the ears are missing. How may ears should it have?
Has anyone repaired this or do I look for another column?
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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I would say both upper and lower barrings are shot and now has worn a grove in the shaft causing your problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
If you can find the broken bits, you could weld them back on.
Based on what I've read here on the forum, the repro steering column tubes are pretty decent.
Here's a '64 that only a little broken.
Based on what I've read here on the forum, the repro steering column tubes are pretty decent.
Here's a '64 that only a little broken.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Thanks for the info.
I see three of the four tabs are missing on my column.
Now I know what the allen screw is doing there.
So I will be removing the column this weekend.
Joe
I see three of the four tabs are missing on my column.
Now I know what the allen screw is doing there.
So I will be removing the column this weekend.
Joe
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Army
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From: I'd like to propose a toast... to internal combustion and wind in the face.
What a coincidence. After just reburbishing my column not two weeks ago, I was speaking with my Corvette sensei about the experience. I was telling him about how hard it was to get the collar back on without destroying the new paint (I had to re-paint) and he brought up how many of the the locking ears on the column tube were broken on many of the hundreds of mid-years he's owned. Though I don't remember us being able to come up with a good explanation of why the ears break off the fact is they obviously do.
I replaced both bearings in my column but I will say my lower bearing didn't fit well into it's collar. The bearing's o.d. was simply too small to be pressed or "friction fitted" back into the collar. Because the bearing is supported by a washer and spring I took up the extra slack between the bearing and it's collor with some epoxy putty. It's not the best situation but the bearing is not going anywhere.
I replaced both bearings in my column but I will say my lower bearing didn't fit well into it's collar. The bearing's o.d. was simply too small to be pressed or "friction fitted" back into the collar. Because the bearing is supported by a washer and spring I took up the extra slack between the bearing and it's collor with some epoxy putty. It's not the best situation but the bearing is not going anywhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Aggieland TX
Here is some info (attached PDF) I put together when I refurbed the column from our '65. The jpeg shows the bearing wear that I found on the upper and lower portions of the shaft. That shaft is still in the car and working fine. I've seen photos here though where the shafts were very badly grooved. Check this past CF thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...eplace-it.html
Good luck with the project.
DZ
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Joe,
Here is some info (attached PDF) I put together when I refurbed the column from our '65. The jpeg shows the bearing wear that I found on the upper and lower portions of the shaft. That shaft is still in the car and working fine. I've seen photos here though where the shafts were very badly grooved. Check this past CF thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...eplace-it.html
Good luck with the project.
DZ
Here is some info (attached PDF) I put together when I refurbed the column from our '65. The jpeg shows the bearing wear that I found on the upper and lower portions of the shaft. That shaft is still in the car and working fine. I've seen photos here though where the shafts were very badly grooved. Check this past CF thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...eplace-it.html
Good luck with the project.
DZ
I guess I will be busy this weekend!
Joe
Le Mans Master
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From: NJ Hockey beer league
Those steering column tubes were weak at the top tabs. I'd bet the person who "fixed" yours was caught in the middle between GM discontinuing the part and it coming out as a reproduction. When the lower bearing goes it puts a lateral force on the shaft and tube and breaks the weak spot on top. Fortunately, all the parts are now available and it's a pretty easy job to rebuild it. 
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
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Le Mans Master
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Those steering column tubes were weak at the top tabs. I'd bet the person who "fixed" yours was caught in the middle between GM discontinuing the part and it coming out as a reproduction. When the lower bearing goes it puts a lateral force on the shaft and tube and breaks the weak spot on top. Fortunately, all the parts are now available and it's a pretty easy job to rebuild it. Pilot Dan
Pilot DanJoe
