Dropping Steering Column
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Dropping Steering Column
Can someone please enlighten me on this? It is not quite as self explanatory as I thought it might be. Do I have to pull the whole thing out (vs dropping it down)? My AIM is a little unclear.
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
To drop the column down, remove the bolts that fasten it to the firewall, then remove the two bolts that fasten it to the frame just behind the lower part of the dash. It should drop down enough to allow you access behind the dash pad, but you won't get enough clearance to pull the dash pad out (at least you can't on my '72 or '73).
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
To drop the column down, remove the bolts that fasten it to the firewall, then remove the two bolts that fasten it to the frame just behind the lower part of the dash. It should drop down enough to allow you access behind the dash pad, but you won't get enough clearance to pull the dash pad out (at least you can't on my '72 or '73).
If you want to drop it to the floor, you have to disconnect it from the rag joint.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
This Jim Shea paper is about swapping columns but it is priceless infomation that will help you,
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3rev11au09.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...3rev11au09.doc
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,359
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
My limited experience is that when I've wanted to drop the steering wheel, a better thing to do was just remove it entirely. It actually wasn't that difficult. It really makes working on the inside firewall behind the speedo/tach dash a whole lot easier.
So far I've removed my 68 standard column, and reinstalled it, and removed my 70 T/T column. Haven't reinstalled the 70 column yet but it doesn't look difficult. With the 70 column out, I replaced the lower shaft bearing. It's exposed to corrosion from road water and it's pretty easy to replace. The bearing and other bits and pieces are available from GM.
Read Jim O'Shea's papers....Oh, and as someone alluded to already, Jim says that if you do drop the steering column, you should disconnect the column at the flexible coupler (aka rag joint) to avoid stress on the lower bearing.
So far I've removed my 68 standard column, and reinstalled it, and removed my 70 T/T column. Haven't reinstalled the 70 column yet but it doesn't look difficult. With the 70 column out, I replaced the lower shaft bearing. It's exposed to corrosion from road water and it's pretty easy to replace. The bearing and other bits and pieces are available from GM.
Read Jim O'Shea's papers....Oh, and as someone alluded to already, Jim says that if you do drop the steering column, you should disconnect the column at the flexible coupler (aka rag joint) to avoid stress on the lower bearing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
Took me 40 minutes to remove it and 30 minutes to put it back in.The plastic wiring connectors were a pain to release.I removed the seat and steering wheel.It helped alot when putting on the brake booster.Easier just to pull it out of the car and a lot more room to work afterwards.
