TILT/TEL Question for JIMSHEA! HELP!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
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From: Orange massachusettes
TILT/TEL Question for JIMSHEA! HELP!
I just swaped out standered column for tilt/tel on my '72. Tilt/tel is a 69-75 style and was rebuilt by contemporary corvette and I paid $850 fore it. Tilt tel works great and column is tight. I also replaced rag joint at same time w/ new coupler from GM, about $80. I have flat on steering box shaft at 12:00 and flat on steering column at 12:00 and rag joint instaled,(only goes on one way) The head of the pinch bolt on box is straight up and head of pinch bolt on column end is at 90 degrees pointed toward drivers side. All looks well, EXCEPT my steering wheel is UPSIDE DOWN! 
Theres NOT enough adjustment in tie rods to correct this, and NO way to turn rag joint on steer box WITH OUT drilling hole in rag joint( two different size bolts hold it together) and turning it 180 degrees. Could the steering shaft in the column be installed 180 degrees out when rebuilt?? Should I just modify rag joint? I bought column over a year ago and am just now installing it. Thanks in advance.
Theres NOT enough adjustment in tie rods to correct this, and NO way to turn rag joint on steer box WITH OUT drilling hole in rag joint( two different size bolts hold it together) and turning it 180 degrees. Could the steering shaft in the column be installed 180 degrees out when rebuilt?? Should I just modify rag joint? I bought column over a year ago and am just now installing it. Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
From your description, the steering shaft was assembled 180 degrees out of phase at the plastic tilt joint. My three Disassembly & Repair papers do cover this type of repair. But you will have to completely disassemble the upper end in order to pull the steering shaft out and rephase the upper shaft to the lower shaft.
I would try complaining to the company that did the original rebuild. With experience and the proper tools, the rebuild should take about an hour. For a first timer, plan on a full day.
You can consider just swapping the attaching shoulder bolts in your flexible coupling. On the Saginaw OEM flex coupling, there is a retainer that presses onto the threaded portion of the bolt right up to the shoulder. You will have to remove the flex coupling from the gear and then you should be able to tap the bolts back off of the retainers and swap them.
Good luck,
I will be out in Lars country (Colorado) for the next week but I will try and touch bases with the Forum a couple times next week.
Jim
I would try complaining to the company that did the original rebuild. With experience and the proper tools, the rebuild should take about an hour. For a first timer, plan on a full day.
You can consider just swapping the attaching shoulder bolts in your flexible coupling. On the Saginaw OEM flex coupling, there is a retainer that presses onto the threaded portion of the bolt right up to the shoulder. You will have to remove the flex coupling from the gear and then you should be able to tap the bolts back off of the retainers and swap them.
Good luck,
I will be out in Lars country (Colorado) for the next week but I will try and touch bases with the Forum a couple times next week.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
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From: Orange massachusettes
Jim, thanks for the quick repley.
I'll just swap bolts around on the rag joint and be done w/ it. If I had noticed the problem w/ column at early date, I would have sent it back, but after having it for a over a year, I'm sure I'll at LEAST have to pay shipping to and fro. Ive never had tilt column apart before, so wasnt sure if you could even put one back together "'out of time/phaze". I NOW know you can! Thanks again for your help.
I'll just swap bolts around on the rag joint and be done w/ it. If I had noticed the problem w/ column at early date, I would have sent it back, but after having it for a over a year, I'm sure I'll at LEAST have to pay shipping to and fro. Ive never had tilt column apart before, so wasnt sure if you could even put one back together "'out of time/phaze". I NOW know you can! Thanks again for your help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Orange massachusettes
NO way to turn rag joint on steer box WITH OUT drilling hole in rag joint( two different size bolts
