steering column question 80 corvette
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Saint Marys georgia
steering column question 80 corvette
I have a 1980 corvette steeering column with cruise control, tilt, telescoping, but don't like the telescoping part. If a put in a column without the telescoping and the cruise control. will all the wiring connector still hook up up right so the turn signal works.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
That is a new one. Most everyone who has a standard column wants a T&T column. Yes the wiring should hook up to the existing wiring. The cruise is a seperate harness. The turn signal is a harness by itself. I am currently rebuilding early C3 T&T column to replace my standard column. I put in C5 seats and need the tilt portion as the C5 seats are a little higher. I am a small guy, if you are a bigger guy it might be a little tough without the tilt feature to get your legs out. If you don't like the telescoping part just lock it down and don't move it. 
Safety Car
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From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Saint Marys georgia
I have had this 80 vette for about a month/new to vettes. The lock is not working for the telescoping part, the upper bearing and spring above it is broke and the column moves up and down, about an inch, below the tilt area. maybe lower bearing is broke, but do not know how to get to it. Have everything apart down to where the upper bearing was, can't figure out how to get to lower to find out why there is so much up and down play when the tilt part is working good.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Are you getting an up and down motion or an in and out motion. two different things here. The in/out is the telescoping feature. Up and down if the pawl is locking means there is something else loose. I have one disassembled right now with some pictures if that would help. They do have a tendancy to have the bolts holding the tilt assembly loosen up. You will need to go deeper to get access to them. Verify tha tthe tilt is locking and it is loose somewhere else. If it is probably the 4 bolts that hold the tilt assembly are loose.
Here is one of the pictures I have with the column somewhat apart. These are the bolts that on occasion are loose allowing movement. Those goofy headed bolts are the ones that loosen.
Here is one of the pictures I have with the column somewhat apart. These are the bolts that on occasion are loose allowing movement. Those goofy headed bolts are the ones that loosen.
Last edited by Gordonm; Sep 13, 2009 at 07:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 21
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From: Saint Marys georgia
steering
it is an up and down motion below tilt part. do I need a special tool to get down that far. I don't see and more screw or bolts to remove .
all I see left is maybe a side screw or something with internal fine threads. I don't see how to get below the tilt part.
all I see left is maybe a side screw or something with internal fine threads. I don't see how to get below the tilt part.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Not really special tools but there is a set of pins on the side. If you look at the picture yo ucan see a round hole between the two tangs. There is a pin in there. The manual says you need a special tool. The holes are threaded so you need to screw in a bolt of proper thread and the nI just used a set of heavy duty needle nose pliers and worked the two pins out. Make sure you take out the tilt spring first though or it will TWANG.
Here is a better picture. You can see the pin in there with the threaded hole. I think it is a 10-32 thread. This black piece is what needs to come off inorder to get to the 4 bolts. This is a 75 column, the 80 one you are working on is very similar but the black piece is a little shorter on the 80.
Here is a better picture. You can see the pin in there with the threaded hole. I think it is a 10-32 thread. This black piece is what needs to come off inorder to get to the 4 bolts. This is a 75 column, the 80 one you are working on is very similar but the black piece is a little shorter on the 80.
Last edited by Gordonm; Sep 13, 2009 at 08:30 PM.
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From: Crossville TN
If the telescoping function doesn't work properly, you can loosen or tighten the adjustment by removing the horn button, the horn actuating parts (and 3 screws), then removing the two screws from the telescoping 'star' adjustment nut. To tighten the adjustment, turn the 'star' nut CW a bit, then reinstall the two retaining screws. If you need to loosen the adjustment, turn 'star' nut CCW, then lock it down.
