steering column, the correct way to install?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 33
From: Lokeren, Belgium
steering column, the correct way to install?
Hi,
I just went through Jim's papers & alot of older posts but didn't find a conclusive answer..
I'm at the point where I'm going to install the driver side dash pad and connect the battery for the first time to see if the electrics are done ok. (upper dash pad is out, again ...)
The dash pad is a aftermarket one and fit & finish is so so (same issues as someone else (father&son I think) experienced). After grinding most of the brackets off and relocating them it seems to be working.
Which brings me to the steering column. I also read that the steering column is not 100% parallel to the driving direction, I'm ok with that but to align it to the shape in the dashpad I do have to pull the column quite a bit to the left (in driving direction, horizontal plane). It just doen't feel ok and like it's putting to much strain on the column. That brings me to the part of the column where it connects to the firewall. These two bolts are loose, but the firewall insulation is still in between the steering column flange & firewall.
Is this how it's supposed to be or do you have to cut the firewall insulation around the steering column flange ?
Either way if it's in between or not, does pulling the the column to the left and then fixing it to the steering column support creates a risk of firewall damage / cracking in time ?
Or is this just normal and am I worrying to much?
The bracket that holds the steering column up is also not tightened to the casted windshield frame bracket. Can you just tighten it up before you bolt up the column? (as it has quite some movement in it).
It's a standard non T&T column. The car is a steeroids conversion so I'm not bothered by the rag joint alignment.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
I just went through Jim's papers & alot of older posts but didn't find a conclusive answer..
I'm at the point where I'm going to install the driver side dash pad and connect the battery for the first time to see if the electrics are done ok. (upper dash pad is out, again ...)
The dash pad is a aftermarket one and fit & finish is so so (same issues as someone else (father&son I think) experienced). After grinding most of the brackets off and relocating them it seems to be working.
Which brings me to the steering column. I also read that the steering column is not 100% parallel to the driving direction, I'm ok with that but to align it to the shape in the dashpad I do have to pull the column quite a bit to the left (in driving direction, horizontal plane). It just doen't feel ok and like it's putting to much strain on the column. That brings me to the part of the column where it connects to the firewall. These two bolts are loose, but the firewall insulation is still in between the steering column flange & firewall.
Is this how it's supposed to be or do you have to cut the firewall insulation around the steering column flange ?
Either way if it's in between or not, does pulling the the column to the left and then fixing it to the steering column support creates a risk of firewall damage / cracking in time ?
Or is this just normal and am I worrying to much?
The bracket that holds the steering column up is also not tightened to the casted windshield frame bracket. Can you just tighten it up before you bolt up the column? (as it has quite some movement in it).
It's a standard non T&T column. The car is a steeroids conversion so I'm not bothered by the rag joint alignment.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Hi,
I just went through Jim's papers & alot of older posts but didn't find a conclusive answer..
I'm at the point where I'm going to install the driver side dash pad and connect the battery for the first time to see if the electrics are done ok. (upper dash pad is out, again ...)
The dash pad is a aftermarket one and fit & finish is so so (same issues as someone else (father&son I think) experienced). After grinding most of the brackets off and relocating them it seems to be working.
Which brings me to the steering column. I also read that the steering column is not 100% parallel to the driving direction, I'm ok with that but to align it to the shape in the dashpad I do have to pull the column quite a bit to the left (in driving direction, horizontal plane). It just doen't feel ok and like it's putting to much strain on the column. That brings me to the part of the column where it connects to the firewall. These two bolts are loose, but the firewall insulation is still in between the steering column flange & firewall.
Is this how it's supposed to be or do you have to cut the firewall insulation around the steering column flange ?
Either way if it's in between or not, does pulling the the column to the left and then fixing it to the steering column support creates a risk of firewall damage / cracking in time ?
Or is this just normal and am I worrying to much?
The bracket that holds the steering column up is also not tightened to the casted windshield frame bracket. Can you just tighten it up before you bolt up the column? (as it has quite some movement in it).
It's a standard non T&T column. The car is a steeroids conversion so I'm not bothered by the rag joint alignment.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
I just went through Jim's papers & alot of older posts but didn't find a conclusive answer..
I'm at the point where I'm going to install the driver side dash pad and connect the battery for the first time to see if the electrics are done ok. (upper dash pad is out, again ...)
The dash pad is a aftermarket one and fit & finish is so so (same issues as someone else (father&son I think) experienced). After grinding most of the brackets off and relocating them it seems to be working.
Which brings me to the steering column. I also read that the steering column is not 100% parallel to the driving direction, I'm ok with that but to align it to the shape in the dashpad I do have to pull the column quite a bit to the left (in driving direction, horizontal plane). It just doen't feel ok and like it's putting to much strain on the column. That brings me to the part of the column where it connects to the firewall. These two bolts are loose, but the firewall insulation is still in between the steering column flange & firewall.
Is this how it's supposed to be or do you have to cut the firewall insulation around the steering column flange ?
Either way if it's in between or not, does pulling the the column to the left and then fixing it to the steering column support creates a risk of firewall damage / cracking in time ?
Or is this just normal and am I worrying to much?
The bracket that holds the steering column up is also not tightened to the casted windshield frame bracket. Can you just tighten it up before you bolt up the column? (as it has quite some movement in it).
It's a standard non T&T column. The car is a steeroids conversion so I'm not bothered by the rag joint alignment.
Thanks in advance,
Nick
I am almost in the same boat, can't wait to see a reply
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Massapequa Park New York
the insulation gets crushed by the steering column so it doesnt have to be trimmed.and the sterring column only goes in one way it really cant be altered cause it fits into the steering box
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Nassau co. NY
When you say the two bolts by the wall are loose, what do you mean? There is supposed to be a plate on the outside of the firewall that sandwiches the firwall and insulation to the flange of the column. the bolts are tightened and will crush the insulation (at least on a '69). the column also cannot be manipulated much because it attaches to the bracket with fixed bolt holes. Maybe the aftermarket dash pad is giving you the problems as you suggest.
Good luck,
Greg.
Good luck,
Greg.
