I'm not sure Im posting in the correct place. But does anyone know the length of the steering column in a 78 stingray? Buying a universal and need the measurements to buy the correct one.

**please DO NOT tell me "Just rebuild yours". Everywhere I have asked have told me the same thing. Im not currently interested in rebuilding it.

Thank you.

 

Not to overstate the obvious, measure the one you have.

 

The steering column is currently still in the car. The car is being used. The issue is a lot of play and my husband and I agreed to simply replace it. My husband often drives it to work. So we would prefer to not disassemble it, just to reassemble it to drive it. To have to do it again when we get the column.

 

I can't help with the length but I used to be into replica cars / custom stuff. Keep in mind (I know this is pretty obvious) that a steering column is not something you want to "cheap out on".

Like everything made today, there are a lot of cheap materials (and it seems every year it gets worse). I remember an article (posted below), that addressed this in the past. Just wanted to provide it for some reading material).

I remember reading about a .40 Cent cheap bushing / clip etc, that caused a failure, where a $1.50 part could have prevented a failure.

Not to sway you, I can certainly see not wanting to rebuild a column. As I get older, I'm "scaling back" on certain repairs. Man, do body parts hurt as you approach 50 years old.!!!!

(I've never replaced a column in a C3), but from the "junk / parts I've seen" over the last few years, Perhaps there is a company that may be able to ship a rebuilt unit and then you send them your column as a "core"??? (Just thinking out loud - never researched it).

For me in particular, I'd do the rebuild myself but - from the short time I've been on the forum, I know that I would also be pretty darn comfortable (based on the technical knowledge here) of having someone close to me who knows what they are doing, do a rebuild (maybe find a suitable column beforehand so you don't have to use yours,). Again, just thinking out loud.

I'm not too familiar with the vendors on this site as of yet (as far as all of their products), but from what I've seen, these vendors are who I would trust for the right info / replacement parts etc (if available) for something as critical as a steering column.

For my car, I'd prefer to rebuild it using quality parts. (I've even heard some bad things about flaming river columns (not relating to a c3) that had some issues. And I believe they are going for close to $1000 for some of those)!

http://www.nz-hotrod.com/vbulletin/s...n-Safety-Alert

Welcome to the forum - I'm sure you will find your answer here. Lots of knowledgeable people here.

 

The one we found was $700+ and we just don't have that kind of cash. We had found one at summit racing for around $250 I think it was. For now we planned on that. He's toying with buying a replica or having his rebuilt.

Im not even sure where to begin on finding a place to rebuild. We have both looked around us and haven't found a decent place to go (reviews and reputation wise). Neither one of us know enough to rebuild it on our own.

Its *possible* my cousin might know how to do it. He recently finished a complete restore on a older Monte Carlo. He is pretty knowledgeable with rebuilds. But getting together has proved to be a issue.

 

Someone here should be able to point you in the right direction.

Also, be careful of those "cheaper ones". Some from Summit / Jegs etc are universal (used a few in my race cars) they require "fabrication" for mounting points and other various things. Make sure you email if buying online and ask questions about fitment / any needed modifications etc.

Also, you may want to put your location in your profile so others know where you are. You never know there may be someone "right around the corner" that may be able to help..

 

I am pretty sure T&T '77-'82 steering columns are the same length. I measured the 1979 column I rebuilt and it measures 35 1/4" from the end of the steering shaft to the top edge of the case.




That issue could be caused by loose E-Torx bolts (there are four of them) that secure the lower housing. You need to take apart quite a bit of stuff to get to them, although a mechanic familiar with tilt steering columns should be able to tighten those without having to remove the steering column. Of course once you start taking apart stuff that is decades old, you are bound to find other issues and the repair bill could end up being quite high.

Having said that, you want to make sure you identify the problem correctly before buying parts or start taking things apart, as the issue you're describing could be caused by something else.






There's good reason for that advice.


You have to make 100% sure that whichever steering column you guys purchase, will work for your application. There are lots of things that may not work or fit properly with a cheap aftermarket unit.

Good luck!

 

Have you considered hiring someone to rebuild your steering column? I was in a time crunch and needed mine rebuilt and didn't have time to do it myself. I dropped the car off at a trusted shop and picked it up the next day with a rebuilt column. Cost was a couple hundred dollars.

 

@CFLVette thank you so much. The problem is actually the aluminum case inside (according to someone we did have look at it) the whole thing is busted. He was suppose to be tightening those very bolts you speak of. But as he started to remove parts he realized it was busted.

Ill be honest here, I wasn't around when it was being worked on so Im just going on what I was told.

 

So your tilt & telescoping steering column has been taken apart to a certain degree by someone and—I assume since you mentioned the car is driven regularly—then reassembled. Then you do have someone who is able to rebuild yours (if necessary), because in order to get one torn down to the lower housing (in order to tighten the bolts), you need a couple of special tools and a basic understanding as to what to do.

If that's the case then I suggest finding a used column and building a usable one out of the two.

Installing an aftermarket unit is opening a can of worms, IMO.

You can find used OEM Corvette steering columns on eBay.

Here's one, for example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-82-corv...n/172257035831

Again, good luck with your project.

 

The following is my 2 cents worth.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=891

I fully realize that vehicles that are nearing 50 years old are increasingly difficult to repair with OEM parts.

Jim Shea

 

Doing research before starting a new thread. Am charging the steering wheel in a '70 model [non-T&T].

Do I need a steering wheel puller? One thread said I do...

 

the steering wheel is held by screws your be fine without one. if you remove the hub you might need one

 

If you are just pulling or changing the steering wheel, the answer is "no". No puller needed. Just pop off the horn button and remove the six screws holding the wheel. There are three screws holding in the horn contact that partially block the wheel.....remove them first, slowly, so the spring doesn't pop out and note how it is assembled in the column......replace it the same way after replacing the wheel.

 

Not related to this 2 year old thread. Start a new thread with your different question.