1972 Steering Column
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Maple Shade NJ
1972 Steering Column
Hello gang,
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.
I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one.
Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.
Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.
I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one. Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 40
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Elk,
I'm in the same boat as you, but I am switching to a TT...I read Jims papers, very helpful, but I thought the diagrams left a bit to be desired. Take a look at Doc Rebuild's diagrams in the catalog. They are about the clearest I can find..Hope this helps..
Doc's index, look under S...
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/indexx.html
Standard column..
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/ST-COL3.PDF
I'm in the same boat as you, but I am switching to a TT...I read Jims papers, very helpful, but I thought the diagrams left a bit to be desired. Take a look at Doc Rebuild's diagrams in the catalog. They are about the clearest I can find..Hope this helps..
Doc's index, look under S...
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/indexx.html
Standard column..
http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/ST-COL3.PDF
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,159
Likes: 4,237
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MS72,
Did you know that the good doctor does all the drawings in the catalogue himself?
I think they're amazing. For many things his drawing is clearer than a really good photo would be.
Now that he's sorta retired you don't even get yelled at so much when you call.
Regards,
Alan
Did you know that the good doctor does all the drawings in the catalogue himself?
I think they're amazing. For many things his drawing is clearer than a really good photo would be.
Now that he's sorta retired you don't even get yelled at so much when you call.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Hi MS72,
Did you know that the good doctor does all the drawings in the catalogue himself?
I think they're amazing. For many things his drawing is clearer than a really good photo would be.
Now that he's sorta retired you don't even get yelled at so much when you call.
Regards,
Alan
Did you know that the good doctor does all the drawings in the catalogue himself?
I think they're amazing. For many things his drawing is clearer than a really good photo would be.
Now that he's sorta retired you don't even get yelled at so much when you call.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 21
From: Abingdon MD
God bless Doc Rebuild. He forgot more about C3's than I will ever know. He was very helpful some years back regarding the restoration of my 72- spent 15 minutes or so discussing my options at Corvettes at Carlisle.
Rickman
Rickman
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FLA
Hello gang,
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one. Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.
Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.
I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one. Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
I rebuilt my 1968's standard column. The 68 was a pretty easy task. I ordered my parts from Corvette Steering. I purchased the upper bearing/housing assembly and the lower bearing kit. When you do the upper bearing, document the order of parts as they come off. The lower bearing kit comes with assembly instructions.
The hardest part is beating the lower bearing out of the column housing. The 68 column housing has a notch at the lower end that allows you to put a screw driver or chisel on the bearing flange so you can beat it out with a hammer. I sprayed some liquid wrench on it the night before to help it break loose from the column housing.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Waco TX
I'm just wrapping up overhauling my the tilt/tele column from my 72. I used the diagram in the GM service manual. It shows all of the parts in order and has useful information that will help you with the process. I blasted the external parts and soaked the rest in solvent. It went back together easy enough. I'm glad that I went to the trouble, it was pretty nasty on the inside...hardened grease, grime etc... Good luck on yours!!
Hello gang,
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one. Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.
Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
As most of you know, I am restoring a 72 coupe.
I am up to the steering column. It's out of the car , on the work bench. It is a straight column, no tilt, no tele. Just a turn signal. The wheel is off, the rag joint is off. (both are easy enough). I might add, I could send it out but I would like to tackle it myself. I have been looking for a diagram of the parts in order, but can't find one. Does anyone have one thay can send me? Also the main bolt of'course spins the shaft. What's the best way to unbolt that? I would like to completely dis assamble it, restore each part and re assemble and repaint it. I'm just asking for anyones advice that may have done this job before. Any pit falls I may run into. Any short cuts, any sequence I might need to follow.Thank you in advance
Elkhartgreen72 (Dave)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
