Life without Tilt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I suppose tilt is a nice feature, but at 5-11, my daily cars have it, but never use it anyway. I agree with tracking down a used column from a recycler, or even ask in the forums for sale section. I've done this a few times on cars attempted to be stolen. Last was a red interior car, and got hold of a blue column. Had the paint supplier mix up the proper paint, and shot it with a small Preval sprayer. You'd never know.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I've only used the tilt in my 78 once, the very first time I set it to my preference.
Now, if my buddy's non-tilt car had the wheel permanently mounted about an inch higher, I would be perfectly happy with it being non-tilt. You see where I'm going with this?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO
Recently bought a 1974 with standard column.I am 6'2'' and about 230lbs and its a bit tight getting in and out and I really dont care that much for the wheel right down in my lap when I am driving.It is however okay once I get used to it again. I used to have a 1975 with tilt/tele and it was more comfortable so....I would suggest you go for the tilt/tele column at your height if at all feasable.I wish mine had it!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
I am 6' 4" and getting in and out of our 73wouldn't be a problem if my neck worked and my head was a little harder.....seems like you would learn after a while how to get in the dang car without banging your head and twisting a knee.........thats with the tilt and tele, can't even imagine trying to do it without it!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 833
From: WI
Let's say you buy a 76 used tilt/tele steering column. Chances are almost overwhelming that there will be 'slop' at the joint. It is rather common on these columns. You might get lucky and get one that is really nice, but you'll want to be SURE it doesn't. Then, you'll probably want to put in a new key cylinder and probably a new signal cam ...and maybe a new switch, and, oh yeah, it'll need to be painted too. So, if you do all that with a used one you pay $150 for, then you might as well rebuild your existing column and have a new bowl and pins and it'll definitely be TIGHT like you want it to be.
But if you can find a used one that's definitely tight for $150, then that would be an attractive alternative.
But if you can find a used one that's definitely tight for $150, then that would be an attractive alternative.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
I'm 5-11 at 185lbs.My car came with the standard column.With the leather seats its not hard to slide in and out.If you have knee issues it would be nice to have tilt.I may add it down the road.It by all means dosent stop me from enjoying the ride.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 833
From: WI
I don't know if this link will work right, but if you are in a hurry, there are a good dozen + tilt and telescoping steering columns on Ebay for Cadillacs in your year range, priced from $100 to $500. You may have seen them. I would imagine you could get something to match up really close. You'd have to measure what you have.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...+column&_rdc=1
If you are thinking of repairing yours, I would stongly suggest calling http://www.natauto.com/request-catalog.html and try to drill down if they can get the parts for your year. They have a lot more items than are listed in their catalogs, and if the steering column rebuilding guys can get them, I'm pretty sure NAAuto.com can too. Their prices are less than 1/2 the cost. For example, their column bowls are in the $30 and under range, while the column guys are in the mid $60 range. A repair signal cam piece is $5.95. They used to have bearings, but I don't see them now, but your bearings are probably good after a cleaning anyway. To be honest, they are really a good old fashioned catalog outfit more than an internet site, so I would forget the site and get a catalog. They are chaper than anyone on these kind of parts as well as starter and alternator parts.
BTW, did you try calling these guys:
http://memphis.craigslist.org/ptd/2973644247.html
http://memphis.craigslist.org/ptd/2959305364.html
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...+column&_rdc=1
If you are thinking of repairing yours, I would stongly suggest calling http://www.natauto.com/request-catalog.html and try to drill down if they can get the parts for your year. They have a lot more items than are listed in their catalogs, and if the steering column rebuilding guys can get them, I'm pretty sure NAAuto.com can too. Their prices are less than 1/2 the cost. For example, their column bowls are in the $30 and under range, while the column guys are in the mid $60 range. A repair signal cam piece is $5.95. They used to have bearings, but I don't see them now, but your bearings are probably good after a cleaning anyway. To be honest, they are really a good old fashioned catalog outfit more than an internet site, so I would forget the site and get a catalog. They are chaper than anyone on these kind of parts as well as starter and alternator parts.
BTW, did you try calling these guys:
http://memphis.craigslist.org/ptd/2973644247.html
http://memphis.craigslist.org/ptd/2959305364.html
Last edited by Mark G; May 26, 2012 at 03:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Well I dissassembled the column today. Got everything removed except for the shift bowl. I was able to get by without any special tools besides a homemade steering wheel puller. I need an upper column ignition cover, a lower cover, a shift bowl, ignition switch, igntion rack and vector gear, and a turn signal cancel cam. The upper housing and shift bowl I can't find ANYWHERE. The steering column site linked on the first page has all these parts but for only for 77 and later. Guess I'll post a wanted ad in the C3 Parts section.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 1,956
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Column
At the least, I would call Steering Columns Galore in NY. They traded out my tilt column in my 70 SS Chevelle for about $250. I got a fully rebuilt column with a new ignition switch as well as new turn signals. They even supplies me with a new keyed ignition. Jerry
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
Thanks for all the advice. I'm currently waiting on parts. The hardest thing to find was the ignition lock housing. I called all the places recommended earlier in this thread and got nowhere. Steering Column Services .com did have the correct park, but they didn't know what it fit. I had to send a picture of mine to them to match up. Then they came up with a part of a 72, with two chips at least a half inch wide on the ends. My jaw dropped when I found out they wanted 140 plus shipping for a damaged part!
I found corvette columns .com. Very little details on the website, but they did list my housing! After a long phone call to Larry, I ordered the part for 80 bucks.
Now the hold up will be the ignition rack and gear kit. I think it's back ordered till mid July.
I found corvette columns .com. Very little details on the website, but they did list my housing! After a long phone call to Larry, I ordered the part for 80 bucks.
Now the hold up will be the ignition rack and gear kit. I think it's back ordered till mid July.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 249
Likes: 4
From: Eastern Ky
I had Jim Shea rebuild the T & T in my 78. Well worth the money. At least talk to him. He received it ..... rebuilt it .... and had it back to me in just a few days. I have a lot of confidence it it now. Before it was really sloppy. Money well spent ......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Sorry, I am not in the business of rebuilding steering columns.
Jim Shea
PS: I am quite sure that the 1969-1979 Cadillac T&T steering columns that are listed in this posting could probably supply needed lock housings, turn signal canceling cam, lower horn contacts, support, and various other parts in the column head. The rest of the Cadillac T&T column will not fit your Corvette but the head parts should work.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...+column&_rdc=1
You want the round T&T head parts. Not the ones with the bulge at the turn signal lever. You do not want T&T columns before 1969.
Jim
Jim Shea
PS: I am quite sure that the 1969-1979 Cadillac T&T steering columns that are listed in this posting could probably supply needed lock housings, turn signal canceling cam, lower horn contacts, support, and various other parts in the column head. The rest of the Cadillac T&T column will not fit your Corvette but the head parts should work.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...+column&_rdc=1
You want the round T&T head parts. Not the ones with the bulge at the turn signal lever. You do not want T&T columns before 1969.
Jim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
