Willcox Steering coupler question!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
Willcox Steering coupler question!
Hi all,
So, i know this subject has been talked about a lot and i have read many threads on the subject but i have a problem!
My question is about the coupler itself, i just ordered one from willcox and it looks like its not the original GM replacement part!
From what i have read around and the pictures i have seen the inner flat bit on the coupler is not the right way around...
Can i just flip it around and have the flat the right way around and the bolt facing down instead of up or am i screwed and is my steering wheel going to be upside down?
Check out this thread, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...pler-help.html
in the pictures you can clearly see that the flat bit is on the opposite side of metal bit with "smg" written on it.
On mine the flat bit is the same side as the metal bit.
Will it make a difference?
Cheers
So, i know this subject has been talked about a lot and i have read many threads on the subject but i have a problem!
My question is about the coupler itself, i just ordered one from willcox and it looks like its not the original GM replacement part!
From what i have read around and the pictures i have seen the inner flat bit on the coupler is not the right way around...
Can i just flip it around and have the flat the right way around and the bolt facing down instead of up or am i screwed and is my steering wheel going to be upside down?
Check out this thread, http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...pler-help.html
in the pictures you can clearly see that the flat bit is on the opposite side of metal bit with "smg" written on it.
On mine the flat bit is the same side as the metal bit.
Will it make a difference?
Cheers
Last edited by Carlos840; Apr 15, 2010 at 02:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I'm using one from Flaming River, part number FR1734 ($69 + shipping) for my 80 vette. 
You might want to switch. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...placement.html
You might want to switch. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...placement.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
Just called willcox and they say they use the part in their shop, and i noticed that ecklers sells the part to...
How can they use it without flipping it over?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept_id=1715#
This is the same as mine, it cant be that bad if both those companys sell it can it?
C
Last edited by Carlos840; Apr 15, 2010 at 05:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,040
Likes: 672
From: FL
Any reason why it cant be flipped over?
Just called willcox and they say they use the part in their shop, and i noticed that ecklers sells the part to...
How can they use it without flipping it over?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept_id=1715#
This is the same as mine, it cant be that bad if both those companys sell it can it?
C
Just called willcox and they say they use the part in their shop, and i noticed that ecklers sells the part to...
How can they use it without flipping it over?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept_id=1715#
This is the same as mine, it cant be that bad if both those companys sell it can it?
C
You can read all you want on steering couplers here:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
Jim Shea is a former GM Saginaw steering engineer.
The bottom line is that the part is wrong. Eckler's part is wrong. I got a bad one from Zip. Why would you want an incorrect part on your car?
The GM part number for a late 1969 through 1982 flex coupling is #7818568. It is still available from GM. www.gmpartsdirect.com has it for $68.46, correct part, no turning upside down or any of that other crap.
If we accept junk from the vendors, they will sell us junk. Simple as that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
Well that sucks!
With customs, import tax and all that its not really worth sending it back to the seller!
I guess i have a nice rubber paper weight now!
Does anybody knows a seller that ships the right GM part outside of the US?
With customs, import tax and all that its not really worth sending it back to the seller!
I guess i have a nice rubber paper weight now!
Does anybody knows a seller that ships the right GM part outside of the US?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Almost three years ago I sent letters to seven of the major Corvette suppliers. In the letters I outlined my concern about the lack of shoulder bolts in the flexible coupling rebuild kits that they were advertising and selling. Also I addressed the off-shore manufactured flexible coupling assemblies that they were selling with the flat machined on the wrong side of the flange.
It is disheartening to know that three years after expressing my concerns, absolutely nothing has been changed or corrected. Of course it must take quite a while for a letter to be translated and forwarded to China.
I did get one letter back expressing that standard bolts were perfectly acceptable to clamp rubber. I am not going to debate someone that must have flunked fastener theory 101.
Jim
It is disheartening to know that three years after expressing my concerns, absolutely nothing has been changed or corrected. Of course it must take quite a while for a letter to be translated and forwarded to China.
I did get one letter back expressing that standard bolts were perfectly acceptable to clamp rubber. I am not going to debate someone that must have flunked fastener theory 101.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
So, been looking around and im wondering if i could use this part if i was to swap the threaded bolts for the original shouldered bolts and if i take into account the fact the the strap is going to be on the other side?
Is it an issue?
Is it an issue?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
From the pictures that I have seen of the off-shore flexible coupling. It seems to me that if you use the shoulder bolts from your original flex coupling; swap them to opposite sides; you should have a coupling that will work.
One other concern. All OEM flex couplings either had a molded metal screen in the face of the rubber disc or they had some kind of strap or wire that provided an electrical ground path. None of the repair kits or the off-shore flexible coupling assemblies come with a ground path.
This means that your horn may not work if there isn't some sort of alternate ground path through the steering column mounting into the dash structure. The flex coupling ground path on OEM parts was additional insurance that your horn would work.
Jim
One other concern. All OEM flex couplings either had a molded metal screen in the face of the rubber disc or they had some kind of strap or wire that provided an electrical ground path. None of the repair kits or the off-shore flexible coupling assemblies come with a ground path.
This means that your horn may not work if there isn't some sort of alternate ground path through the steering column mounting into the dash structure. The flex coupling ground path on OEM parts was additional insurance that your horn would work.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
From the pictures that I have seen of the off-shore flexible coupling. It seems to me that if you use the shoulder bolts from your original flex coupling; swap them to opposite sides; you should have a coupling that will work.
One other concern. All OEM flex couplings either had a molded metal screen in the face of the rubber disc or they had some kind of strap or wire that provided an electrical ground path. None of the repair kits or the off-shore flexible coupling assemblies come with a ground path.
This means that your horn may not work if there isn't some sort of alternate ground path through the steering column mounting into the dash structure. The flex coupling ground path on OEM parts was additional insurance that your horn would work.
Jim
One other concern. All OEM flex couplings either had a molded metal screen in the face of the rubber disc or they had some kind of strap or wire that provided an electrical ground path. None of the repair kits or the off-shore flexible coupling assemblies come with a ground path.
This means that your horn may not work if there isn't some sort of alternate ground path through the steering column mounting into the dash structure. The flex coupling ground path on OEM parts was additional insurance that your horn would work.
Jim
I dont know what to do, might give the part i have a go and add a grounding strap somewhere...
Thanks for your help.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Carlos-
What part number did you order? Email me this to Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om I'll check in to this for you Monday morning.
If there is a problem with this part or a modification needed to install it there should be a note on the part. I'm not aware of a problem but I'll be glad to check this out for you.
Willcox
What part number did you order? Email me this to Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om I'll check in to this for you Monday morning.
If there is a problem with this part or a modification needed to install it there should be a note on the part. I'm not aware of a problem but I'll be glad to check this out for you.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
Carlos-
What part number did you order? Email me this to Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om I'll check in to this for you Monday morning.
If there is a problem with this part or a modification needed to install it there should be a note on the part. I'm not aware of a problem but I'll be glad to check this out for you.
Willcox
What part number did you order? Email me this to Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om I'll check in to this for you Monday morning.
If there is a problem with this part or a modification needed to install it there should be a note on the part. I'm not aware of a problem but I'll be glad to check this out for you.
Willcox
No instruction of any kind came with the part and it quite clearly doesnt match pictures of the correct GM part.
Its actually a mirror image...
Apparently its an old issue!
Last edited by Carlos840; Apr 16, 2010 at 09:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I got this Private Message from a major supplier (who shall remain nameless.) My comments are BOLD. Pardon my sarcasm.
It seems that everyone wants the overseas one, but wants the GM quality along with it. TOO BAD THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN COPY THE OEM PART CORRECTLY. These were offered as a replacement because lots of people asked for them. They are reinforced, however they do not have the horn strap on them. SO VERY POSSIBLY YOUR HORN WON'T WORK WITH THIS PART. You have to either re-use the old one, or bolt up a wire across the two halve. BUT NO INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNING AS TO THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM.
As far as the shouldered bolts, they were a safety on the original but did not actually hold anything. It was “incase” the bolts broke you could still have some steering. I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU STILL HAVE "SOME" STEERING LEFT! ONE LAST TIME, YOU CANNOT JUST CLAMP A THREADED FASTENER ON A PIECE OF RUBBER. AGAIN IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO OFFER INSTRUCTIONS AS TO REUSING THE OEM SHOULDER BOLTS THAT ARE IN YOUR ORIGINAL FLEX COUPLING ASSEMBLY. They are on the overseas one, but they are not the correct size as stock. Now with all of that being said, we still sell the domestic version that is just like the original, it is our part number xxx-xxx.
Jim
It seems that everyone wants the overseas one, but wants the GM quality along with it. TOO BAD THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN COPY THE OEM PART CORRECTLY. These were offered as a replacement because lots of people asked for them. They are reinforced, however they do not have the horn strap on them. SO VERY POSSIBLY YOUR HORN WON'T WORK WITH THIS PART. You have to either re-use the old one, or bolt up a wire across the two halve. BUT NO INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNING AS TO THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM.
As far as the shouldered bolts, they were a safety on the original but did not actually hold anything. It was “incase” the bolts broke you could still have some steering. I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU STILL HAVE "SOME" STEERING LEFT! ONE LAST TIME, YOU CANNOT JUST CLAMP A THREADED FASTENER ON A PIECE OF RUBBER. AGAIN IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO OFFER INSTRUCTIONS AS TO REUSING THE OEM SHOULDER BOLTS THAT ARE IN YOUR ORIGINAL FLEX COUPLING ASSEMBLY. They are on the overseas one, but they are not the correct size as stock. Now with all of that being said, we still sell the domestic version that is just like the original, it is our part number xxx-xxx.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Apr 17, 2010 at 09:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Duntov still sells the originals, or they did when i got one. might want to call to verify first. Alternately, you could order one from a GM dealership there in London, might take a while to come in, but at least you'd have the right part.
After market unit :
GM unit :
After market unit :
GM unit :
