steering column interlock cable problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
steering column interlock cable problem
I bought a rebuilt tilt tele column from a guy.I have it installed in the car.The problem is with interlock cable hooked up the key wont rotate far enough to remove it.When I remove the cable from the shift arm on the end of the column and rotate up another half inch the ignition switch rotates and you can remove the key.Its almost like its not clocked right in the column.I have never had one apart that far and cant find any info on how the interlock arm and shaft goes into the column.I dont know if it can indeed be installed in the wrong pos.I did notice on my standard column that the interlock lever dosent rotate as far up as this one.What gives?There isnt any way to adjust the length of the cable.If it was about a half inch longer this wouldnt be a problem.I like things to work as they came from the factory but Im tempted to disc the cable at the trans and just forget about it.Its a 4 speed if that makes any diff.Thanks
Last edited by rugerm44; Jul 1, 2010 at 04:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
There are two different cables. One for manual transmissions another for automatics. This should not be your problem since all you did was replace the steering column. The standard (non-adjustable) column and the T&T column use the same cable.
There is a slight amount of cable adjustment available. I believe that if you loosen the two nuts (R) inside the car, you should be able to move the heavy plate (M) (where the cable attaches) on the engine side of the dash. It should rotate about the welded stud on the right side of the plate. The loose bolt (N) on the left side of the plate should move up and down a slight amount effectively lengthening and shortening the cable.
The following is from the 1976 AIM. But all of the years (1969-76) are the same.
Jim
There is a slight amount of cable adjustment available. I believe that if you loosen the two nuts (R) inside the car, you should be able to move the heavy plate (M) (where the cable attaches) on the engine side of the dash. It should rotate about the welded stud on the right side of the plate. The loose bolt (N) on the left side of the plate should move up and down a slight amount effectively lengthening and shortening the cable.
The following is from the 1976 AIM. But all of the years (1969-76) are the same.
Jim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
Thanks Jim.I tried that and it worked a few times but now its starting to hang up again.I have another question for you or anyone else.This column looks like a 69 thru 75 on the outside.I took the hub and retaining clip off of it to pull the lock cylinder out.The hub has a large spring below it between the plate that gose over the horn contact.Under the horn contact there is another spring just like the standard column,My factory *** manual shows no such spring on that year car under the steering wheel hub.All the catalogs I have that show a parts brake down dont show this spring either.I starting to wonder just how this guy put this thing together.It works but it sure looks strange on the inside.I have had my column out twice and after reinstalling it had no problem what so ever with the interlock feature not working.Im about wore out with it.Im thinking about putting my old column back in and putting this thing back into the box.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
I called the guy I bought it from and he said the interlock lever was clocked wrong and agreed to take it back for a refund.Man what a headache.The first one he sent was damaged in transit and now this.I give up my column has everything in it replaced.Im just going to stick with my standard column.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
The interlock lever on the lower end of the column is welded to the shift tube which extends up into the column head. The part of the shift tube in the column head has a rather large key extruded on the very end. That key is a press fit into a keyway that is part of the bowl. So I can't understand how there can be any clocking problems. They only go together one way.
With the lower lever in the full UP position it should be 23 1/2 degrees up from the horizontal. That same angle is on all steering column drawings, (standard non-adjustable and T&T) from 1969 through 1976.
That is the lever angle with the manual transmission in REVERSE or the automatice trans in PARK.
Jim
With the lower lever in the full UP position it should be 23 1/2 degrees up from the horizontal. That same angle is on all steering column drawings, (standard non-adjustable and T&T) from 1969 through 1976.
That is the lever angle with the manual transmission in REVERSE or the automatice trans in PARK.
Jim
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The interlock lever on the lower end of the column is welded to the shift tube which extends up into the column head. The part of the shift tube in the column head has a rather large key extruded on the very end. That key is a press fit into a keyway that is part of the bowl. So I can't understand how there can be any clocking problems. They only go together one way.
With the lower lever in the full UP position it should be 23 1/2 degrees up from the horizontal. That same angle is on all steering column drawings, (standard non-adjustable and T&T) from 1969 through 1976.
That is the lever angle with the manual transmission in REVERSE or the automatice trans in PARK.
Jim
With the lower lever in the full UP position it should be 23 1/2 degrees up from the horizontal. That same angle is on all steering column drawings, (standard non-adjustable and T&T) from 1969 through 1976.
That is the lever angle with the manual transmission in REVERSE or the automatice trans in PARK.
Jim
I bet if you disassembled some of the columns Ive seen you would get a good laugh.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
You learn something new every day.
Don't know how you protect yourself from assemblies that are cobbled together from various other columns. As parts get older and rarer, I guess what you just found is inevitable.
Jim
Don't know how you protect yourself from assemblies that are cobbled together from various other columns. As parts get older and rarer, I guess what you just found is inevitable.
Jim
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