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I would like to do a light rebuild on my tilt and tele steering column. Basically clean it up, fresh grease, repaint the lock housing etc... Is it possible to remove/unbolt the tilt housing from the column without doing a major overhaul? I pulled it out of the car so I could go either way but really don't want to go the major route if there is an easier method.
Getting to the upper bearing is very difficult even with the column out of the car. Getting to the lower bearing is very easy,..remove the wire c-shaped clip, then slide the bearing housing off, then the bearing. Paragon has a replacement lower bearing,..not sure about the upper.
If you don't have a lot of play at the wheel, I'd leave everything up top assembled.
There are two bearings on the upper end. One is readily visible once you remove the locking plate. So it can be inspected and grease applied to it. The other one is located in the same housing but on the opposite side. That one you will need to disassemble the tilting part of the column to be able to inspect, grease, or replace that bearing.
Complete instructions on disassembly and repair of the Saginaw steering column(s) can be found at www.corvettefaq.com
Just click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers and click on Corvette Steering Papers.