Lowering steerilng column
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 21
From: Charleston SC
Lowering steering column
I'm embarrased to ask this, but how do you lower the steering column (T &T '74 4spd) to access the speedo/tach? I can find articles (and repair manuals) on how to take out the column, but they include taking off the steering wheel, ect. Do you have to do all that just to lower the unit? Thanks in advance, Bill
Last edited by Billem; Jan 18, 2012 at 06:38 PM. Reason: Spelling error in title
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
At the bottom of the steering column there is a cover with 2 screws and a couple *****. Remove that cover and you will find a couple of rather large nuts that hold the steering column up. Be sure to support the column so you don't damage it. Good luck with the speedo/tach project - I'd rather have a root canal.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Taking off the steering wheel is not that difficult. You just have to pop off the horn button and remove about 6 small screws.
To fully remove the steering column you would need to disconnect the rag joint, then remove the nuts/bolts under the lower steering column cover, and two nuts at the base of the column on the inside floor. Once the nuts are removed the plate will come off on the firewall side of the column base allowing the steering column to pass through the floor into the cockpit.
Before you do this you will want to unhook the wiring harness that attaches to the column.
I had to remove mine when I changed the steering gearbox with a Borgeson gearbox.
To fully remove the steering column you would need to disconnect the rag joint, then remove the nuts/bolts under the lower steering column cover, and two nuts at the base of the column on the inside floor. Once the nuts are removed the plate will come off on the firewall side of the column base allowing the steering column to pass through the floor into the cockpit.
Before you do this you will want to unhook the wiring harness that attaches to the column.
I had to remove mine when I changed the steering gearbox with a Borgeson gearbox.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I think he just wants to drop it down to remove the lower dash pad. Takes about 15 minutes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
After you remove the brackets and air conditioning ducts you will find four fasteners that hold the steering column into the car. There are two vertical screws that hold the column up into the dash structure. There are two nuts down by the floor that hold the lower end of the column to the floor pan. You NEVER want to just remove the two vertical screws and let the steering column hang by the screws and nuts down near the floor. This can cause lower bearing failure because you are cantilevering the entire steering column by the flexible coupling and the attachment at the floor pan.
This paper involves replacing the dimmer switch and the ignition switch. Just refer to pages 2 and 3 that cover "dropping" the steering column.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=918
Jim
This paper involves replacing the dimmer switch and the ignition switch. Just refer to pages 2 and 3 that cover "dropping" the steering column.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=918
Jim
