C3 Steering Column
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
C3 Steering Column
Doing a complete interior restoration and in the process of fixing the tilt/telescope, broke the lock plate retainer (c-clip / keeper, etc.) and found out today that this part is considered obsolete by Chevy -they don't show it in their parts books.
Called Corvette Pacific, Ecklers and Mid Western Motorworks along with a corvette recycle yard (Beano(??)) and found nothing.
Anyone out there have one, just lying around?
Pops
Called Corvette Pacific, Ecklers and Mid Western Motorworks along with a corvette recycle yard (Beano(??)) and found nothing.
Anyone out there have one, just lying around?
Pops
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio Texas
Column parts
Doing a complete interior restoration and in the process of fixing the tilt/telescope, broke the lock plate retainer (c-clip / keeper, etc.) and found out today that this part is considered obsolete by Chevy -they don't show it in their parts books.
Called Corvette Pacific, Ecklers and Mid Western Motorworks along with a corvette recycle yard (Beano(??)) and found nothing.
Anyone out there have one, just lying around?
Pops
Called Corvette Pacific, Ecklers and Mid Western Motorworks along with a corvette recycle yard (Beano(??)) and found nothing.
Anyone out there have one, just lying around?
Pops
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have one, I'm late leaving today so I just checked. It's sitting on my desk. $10.00 plus 3.00 shipping..
If you want it, you can send a paypal to me at Willcox@Willcoxcorvette.com. I can get this shipped for you first thing in the morning. Also.. Email me at Service@Willcoxcorvette.com and let me know.
I gotta ask... how did you break it? Do you have the right tool to collapse the column plate?
Ernie
If you want it, you can send a paypal to me at Willcox@Willcoxcorvette.com. I can get this shipped for you first thing in the morning. Also.. Email me at Service@Willcoxcorvette.com and let me know.
I gotta ask... how did you break it? Do you have the right tool to collapse the column plate?
Ernie
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 5, 2017 at 05:57 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If you go to this page and click on supporting document you'll see how the plate and the lock are installed. http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...-installation/
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 5, 2017 at 05:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
C3 Steering Column
Will do PayPal as soon as I am done here.
I am not sure how it broke - my neighbor who is helping is a certified mech and has a "gazillion" tools - all of a sudden heard a "ping" and it was broke.
I really appreciate the help - should you need any help in finding a part (Chevy or Ford), let me know.
I am retired and have all day to sit and search.
Thanks again,
Pops
I am not sure how it broke - my neighbor who is helping is a certified mech and has a "gazillion" tools - all of a sudden heard a "ping" and it was broke.
I really appreciate the help - should you need any help in finding a part (Chevy or Ford), let me know.
I am retired and have all day to sit and search.
Thanks again,
Pops
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
For the price and ease, take Ernie's offer there man.....can't beat that with a stick.....
but in the future, I would fashion one out of steel myself in the garage, OR if you have both pieces, just weld them together, and finish off as necessary......
and mine is broken too, but I just put in both pieces, and it's been fine for some 22 years now.....
but in the future, I would fashion one out of steel myself in the garage, OR if you have both pieces, just weld them together, and finish off as necessary......
and mine is broken too, but I just put in both pieces, and it's been fine for some 22 years now.....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Steering Column
For the price and ease, take Ernie's offer there man.....can't beat that with a stick.....
but in the future, I would fashion one out of steel myself in the garage, OR if you have both pieces, just weld them together, and finish off as necessary......
and mine is broken too, but I just put in both pieces, and it's been fine for some 22 years now.....
but in the future, I would fashion one out of steel myself in the garage, OR if you have both pieces, just weld them together, and finish off as necessary......
and mine is broken too, but I just put in both pieces, and it's been fine for some 22 years now.....
Pops
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I have one, I'm late leaving today so I just checked. It's sitting on my desk. $10.00 plus 3.00 shipping..
If you want it, you can send a paypal to me at Willcox@Willcoxcorvette.com. I can get this shipped for you first thing in the morning. Also.. Email me at Service@Willcoxcorvette.com and let me know.
I gotta ask... how did you break it? Do you have the right tool to collapse the column plate?
Ernie
If you want it, you can send a paypal to me at Willcox@Willcoxcorvette.com. I can get this shipped for you first thing in the morning. Also.. Email me at Service@Willcoxcorvette.com and let me know.
I gotta ask... how did you break it? Do you have the right tool to collapse the column plate?
Ernie
That retainer was originally manufactured out of urethane material (the same stuff that has caused those rubber C3 bumpers to disintegrate). It is nearly impossible to remove the original retainers without them breaking into many pieces. The retainer can be removed and reinstalled without the lock plate being compressed. The retainer serves two functions. As a critical safety part it prevents the C shaped clip from migrating out of the upper steering shaft. Without the C-clip in place, the entire steering wheel, hub, and upper steering shaft can be removed from the column (even while driving down the road!!) The other function is to isolate the big telescoping spring from contacting the metal locking plate and causing the horn to blow continuously.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Apr 6, 2017 at 01:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Here is a picture of the locking plate, upper steering shaft and the C-clip being installed. Since the inside edges of the clip are parallel a more correct name should probably be "U-clip".
Jim
Jim
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ernie,
That retainer was originally manufactured out of urethane material (the same stuff that has caused those rubber C3 bumpers to disintegrate). It is nearly impossible to remove the original retainers without them breaking into many pieces. The retainer can be removed and reinstalled without the lock plate being compressed. The retainer serves two functions. As a critical safety part it prevents the C shaped clip from migrating out of the upper steering shaft. Without the C-clip in place, the entire steering wheel, hub, and upper steering shaft can be removed from the column (even while driving down the road!!) The other function is to isolate the big telescoping spring from contacting the metal locking plate and causing the horn to blow continuously.
Jim
That retainer was originally manufactured out of urethane material (the same stuff that has caused those rubber C3 bumpers to disintegrate). It is nearly impossible to remove the original retainers without them breaking into many pieces. The retainer can be removed and reinstalled without the lock plate being compressed. The retainer serves two functions. As a critical safety part it prevents the C shaped clip from migrating out of the upper steering shaft. Without the C-clip in place, the entire steering wheel, hub, and upper steering shaft can be removed from the column (even while driving down the road!!) The other function is to isolate the big telescoping spring from contacting the metal locking plate and causing the horn to blow continuously.
Jim
The insulator that goes over it, yes... I break those every time I remove one.
Pops... it shipped today for you .
Ernie