The Missing Inch

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Apr 29, 2008 | 11:12 AM

Oklahoma Academy

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 183

Likes: 1

The Missing Inch

HI all.

We have put the body back on our project '71 Vette and there is a problem. There is a one inch gap between the steering coupler and the steering box.It is as though the whole body would need to move forward an inch, or that the box needs to go back an inch. We have tried to move the column, move the body, lossen and reposition the steering box, all to no avail. It is weird: the body mounts perfectly on the frame, the measurements are right, the frame shop confirmed everything was correct when we had it checked. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so how did you fix the problem.

Looking for answers....

Apr 29, 2008 | 11:21 AM

L82shark

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,458

Likes: 1

From: Collinsville MS

St. Jude Donor '08

Did the 71 have the collapsible column? If so, it may have gotten bumped and collapsed inwards some. Did you pry the coupler apart when disassembling? That could have done it also. Good luck with it though, sounds like the hard part is done anyway!

Apr 29, 2008 | 12:06 PM

jnb5101

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 8,117

Likes: 104

From: charlotte north carolina

i agree with shark. check jim shea's papers for the correct amount of column that should extend beyond the lower brace. i had to pull mine out about 1/2 ". i got a short piece of steel pipe that fit over the column rod, attached the rag joint, put the pipe in a vice, and (don't yell at me) just used the column as a large and expensive slide hammer.
jeff

Apr 29, 2008 | 12:06 PM

68/70Vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 40,332

Likes: 786

From: Redondo Beach, California

Quote:

Originally Posted by L82shark

Did the 71 have the collapsible column? If so, it may have gotten bumped and collapsed inwards some.

Apr 29, 2008 | 04:28 PM

moosie982

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 3,547

Likes: 12

From: Carbondale Pa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68/70Vette

Any pictures of your progress ?

Peace,,,Moosie

Apr 29, 2008 | 04:45 PM

wjsullivan

Pro

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 593

Likes: 0

From: Warrenville IL

I agree, sounds like a collapsible column issue. Send Jim a PM for advice.

Apr 30, 2008 | 08:17 AM

Oklahoma Academy

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 183

Likes: 1

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Moosie, I can get some pics, but I sure wish it did not take an act of congress to post them. It may be easier to email them to interested parties, I don't know.

Apr 30, 2008 | 09:44 AM

71 Green 454

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 6,397

Likes: 1,226

From: Tampa Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oklahoma Academy

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Moosie, I can get some pics, but I sure wish it did not take an act of congress to post them. It may be easier to email them to interested parties, I don't know.

No act of congress!

1. Sign up for a FREE account at www.photobucket.com
2. Upload photos
3. Copy the IMG code under the photo you want to post and paste it into the body of the message.