Steering column install issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 38
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Steering column install issues
Car is a 1970 bb with powers steering. I am in the middle of a frame off resto and just mated the body back to the frame. I'm trying to do a rough install of the steering so that the car can be moved relatively easily in a few months (moving to Raleigh, NC).
I'm following the A.I.M. as to the order of installation but I have a major problem. There is a good 3/4inch gap between the shaft and the upper rag joint. There is absolutely no way these things are going to reconnect. The picture I've attached shows the upper rag joint connected to the steering shaft and how much it's "short".
My only guess as to whats wrong is that the body is not far enough forward on the frame. I'm afraid though that if I try to lift the body and move it forward it's then going to interfere with the upper a-arms as they are pretty close to the body as it is. Does anybody else have any ideas or experience here?
thanks, Chad
I'm following the A.I.M. as to the order of installation but I have a major problem. There is a good 3/4inch gap between the shaft and the upper rag joint. There is absolutely no way these things are going to reconnect. The picture I've attached shows the upper rag joint connected to the steering shaft and how much it's "short".
My only guess as to whats wrong is that the body is not far enough forward on the frame. I'm afraid though that if I try to lift the body and move it forward it's then going to interfere with the upper a-arms as they are pretty close to the body as it is. Does anybody else have any ideas or experience here?
thanks, Chad
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Did you perhaps accidentally collapse your steering column a little assuming 1970 column is like my 1980 in that it can collapse as part of safety device. While I was installing my borgeson steering unit I was able to shorten or lengthen my steering column as needed to fit new steering box.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 38
From: Raleigh North Carolina
I'm pretty sure mine is collapsable but I'm not sure how it collapses or if it is collapsed right now. The length from the end of shaft to the plate that mounts inside the passenger compartment is 6 1/2 inches. Also measured the distance from the end of the shaft to the bearing and it's about 3 1/2 inches. I found a picture of a 72 with a collapsable column and they measured over 4 inches or at least from what I could see. So apparently mine is collapsed but now the question is how do I get the shaft to extend back out???
Last edited by cmhidinger; Jun 7, 2012 at 04:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Don't know the type of column you have, but found the following in another post, it might be usefull to determine if the column is collapsed.
Year Type of Column Length Dimension in Inches
1968 Standard 2.74 From end of shaft to edge of clamp
1969-1977 Standard 4.75 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1978-1979 Standard 5.00 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1968 Telescope 2.21 From end of shaft to edge of clamp
1969-1976 T&T 4.70 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1977-1982 T&T 5.00 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
Year Type of Column Length Dimension in Inches
1968 Standard 2.74 From end of shaft to edge of clamp
1969-1977 Standard 4.75 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1978-1979 Standard 5.00 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1968 Telescope 2.21 From end of shaft to edge of clamp
1969-1976 T&T 4.70 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
1977-1982 T&T 5.00 From end of shaft to bearing retainer face
Last edited by Mashman; Jun 7, 2012 at 04:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Here is someone who had the same problem, and better yet an answer fomr Jim Shea (the gospel when it comes to all things steering) - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-jim-shea.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 38
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Thank you to both of you. I read the other post so I'm going to spray a little liquid wrench on the shaft at the bearing and try to pull it back out to length. I'm glad it was this and not re-lifting the body and re-positioning it...thats why I love this forum!
UPDATE: Problem fixed. Column was collapsed about an inch. Thanks guys.
Chad
UPDATE: Problem fixed. Column was collapsed about an inch. Thanks guys.
Chad
Last edited by cmhidinger; Jun 8, 2012 at 12:27 AM. Reason: update outcome
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,338
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
When I had my 70 steering column out, I replaced the bottom bearing while it was out. I relied upon Jim O'Shea's advice. The bearing was pretty easy to replace ...especially since I was armed with knowledge on how to do it. The old bearing didn't look good.
If I have to work on the driver's side under dash, I'm pretty much at the stage where I will just remove the steering column. It's not that difficult and it make working under the dash sooooo much easier. Taking the column out is not difficult but it is "fussy."
If I have to work on the driver's side under dash, I'm pretty much at the stage where I will just remove the steering column. It's not that difficult and it make working under the dash sooooo much easier. Taking the column out is not difficult but it is "fussy."
