I have a 77 with the factory tilt and telescopic steering wheel with a broken pivot located in the steering column. As most know who have dealt with this issue, the pivot and switch that controls the high/low beam , windshield wiper, turn signal switch how much of a pain this is. Because that part is no longer available, I have acquired the parts to convert the high/low beam switch to the floor. I have also acquired the wiper switch that mounts above the center gauge cluster.

My issue, now I have to convert the turn signal switch by itself to function properly. I thought this was the easiest part???? Boy was I wrong! I got a new switch and the switch arm and started to install it. What I'm up against is the angle of the old and new turn signal switch (same switch) is at such an angle to the cut out on the steering column cover that the signal arm can't be attached.

On the new switch I just installed, the signal arm attaches to the face of the signal switch itself and attaches with a Phillips screw. Although I have seen signal arms that are threaded on the end that look like they screw directly into the side of the signal switch?

As for the switch I just installed, the turn signal arm would be mounted too high and I would have to cut the opening in the steering column cover to make it larger? Being that would look like crap! I know there is a way to make this work the right way. I just don't know what correct parts I need? I have looked at different years of 76 and 78 to see if there is something I'm missing?

For those who have encountered this? What did you have to replace in order to do this conversion? The aluminum hub? Different switch?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

White One

 

After searching high and low I actually just found a new GM 77 and early 78 pivot that will repair my broken one. There is still one available for $99.00 on eBay. If anyone is interested the part number is #7833702. This is only the pivot, not the electrical switch.

The key was how the pivot is mounted. The early design was mounted with a threaded threaded pin. The later pivot was mounted using a pressed in pin (guessing something like a rolled pin?)

Hope this helps someone?

White One

 

 

Here you go- a $20 work around-

https://www.amequipment.com/shop/roc...d-wiper-motors



https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rk-around.html






Here you go-

Hope this helps!!!

 

I thank Richard 454 and SPCL FX for taking the time and effort to help! The wiper switch information along with the wiring print will be of great help! I did read about the broken pivot in the story of the young man who was a broke college student working on his 77 Corvette. He purchased his steering column pivot off of eBay, but didn't say what it cost? I found two, one was $90.00, and the other was $99.00. You can guess which one I purchased.

If by chance I can take the broken pivot and replace it with the new one I located and purchased? I'll be in great shape! At least that way I'll have all of the factory switches and wiring left intact. I will take some photos to show how and what I encounter should I be successful? If not? I'll be using Richard 454 suggestions!

Just as a side note. From what I had been reading about this pivot. Supposedly it was just used on the 77 Corvette with the T&T Column. After researching this issue heavily, what I did find was the pivot was used not only on the 77 Corvette, but as well as the early 78 with the T&T Column. They call it the pivot the FIRST DESIGN. Half way through the 78 model year, this pivot was changed. The first design uses a threaded pin to mount it. The second design uses a pin with no threads to mount it.

Awesome! Thanks so much again!!!

White One

 

The 7833702 pivot is only for 1978 early cars and I believe it would need to be modified to work on your car in a milling machine.

I do not believe it will work as is. The 1977 pivot was similar and also carried a different number. I believe you might be the fella I emailed today but I'm not sure. Let us know if it works though.

Willcox

 

I was indeed the guy you went the extra mile for. My game plan (if you can call it that?) is to use only the metal part of the pivot. There is a roll pin holding the switch to the pivot on mine. The 78 pivot does look different because it doesn't have the switch or wiring. From what I've seen, the pivot itself for the 77 and early 78 does look the same? If I can? I'll remove the plastic piece on the 78 early pivot and replace it with mine??? My switches are in excellent shape.

The big issue for me is to make the turn signal switch work. As far as the high/low beam and wiper switches? I'm not worried about that. I can always add a floor mounted button on the floor for the high/low beam headlight. As for the wiper switch, I can always mount one on the center console where the gauge cluster is.

Once again I appreciate the fact you spent so much time going the extra mile for me, as I'm sure you'd do for anyone who needs help! To experience wonderful customer service you at Willcox have provided is absolutely refreshing. Something that has always helped my while working in the service repair industry. If it's already broken? What's the worst I can do to it? Break it more.....?

Thanks once again,

Bob (White One)

 

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think the metal pivot will work without machining it. Actually I really hope I'm wrong but I'm pretty certain that we used the 1978 metal pivot to fashion the two 77 pivots years ago. While they look similar, I don't believe they are. Keep me posted.

Willcox

 

I thank you for your concern. Having been in the business of supplying Corvette owners with parts and expertise, I do believe what you say. Being I have already started this process, I'd like to see it to it's end. At this point, I have nothing to loose. My past experience as a service/repair tech working with both mechanical and electrical issues in the Elevator business allows me to always be hopeful there is a way to fix something? We shall see

When this pivot arrives hopefully early next week, I'll eyeball this pivot and then make the decision if it won't work? I'm not going to butcher it or alter it in any way. I will put it up for sale on the forum for exactly what I paid for it. As far as I'v been able to come up with, the early 78 pivot is also either hard to find, or no longer available.

My major stumbling block is, I haven't been able to come up with is how to get the turn signals to work without using a pivot? If I still have no luck in figuring out a way of making the turn signal stalk work with the switch properly? If after researching all ways to accomplish this feat and still have no answers? I'll see if I can design a custom stalk that fits the existing hole in the steering column cover, one that will properly fit and activates the signal switch. As for the headlight switch? I already have a floor activated dimmer and connector for that. I also have a switch from Painless wiring for the wipers and washer.

Who knows, maybe my bad luck and lack of judgement will help someone else out there in the forum who desperately needs this pivot for their early 78?

Thanks once again!
Bob (White One)

 

Well, the E78 Pivot arrived late Saturday evening. I couldn't wait to open it and look at it! Naturally it didn't have the wiper switch wiring or board on it. Although after careful examination I found it could be bolted into place in the 77 T&T steering column to make both the signals function as well as the dimmer switch without doing anything to it at all. I could have just installed a separate wiper switch and be done with it. But if I could, I wanted to keep things the way they originally were. My conclusion was the new pivot metal housing on the E78 pivot was exactly like my broken 77 pivot (the metal part of the pivot I'm speaking about). I removed the pin holding the plastic dimmer switch actuator on the E78 pivot and installed my wiper switch wiring to include the original actuator. Everything worked like a champ! All OEM accessories work without having to cut into wiring or add any new switches.

I did take pictures. I'll figure out how to download them from my phone to show the old and new. Please note: There is a small spring, pin, and bumper under the dimmer actuator that is an absolute pain to reinstall. It takes time and a good amount of effort to make this swap. But in the end if you were up against trying how to figure out how to turn the turn signal switch on and off like I was? It's worth the time effort and money.

Also, I wanted to thank all of those who gave me suggestions and ideas. It was those suggestions and ideas that gave me hope!

White One.

 

This is good news! Yes post some photos.

 

Something else of note: The E78 pivot was put together using a solid pin that had been mushroomed on both ends. I did have to carefully grind the ends off to get the pieces (dimmer actuator) separated from the metal part of the pivot. The original pivot on my 77 was held together using a rolled pin. I used this rolled pin to reassemble the E78 (metal part) to my wiper switch and dimmer actuator. It doesn't take long, but you do have to be careful.

 

Before you go back together, test everything... You can do this with a multi-meter with the switch in your hand or with it in the column

Willcox

 

Thanks Willcox,

I ran the wipers, turn signals and dimmer. We are good to go! Now that's all done, I'm in the process of replacing the half shaft u-joints Which I ordered from some place called Willcox Corvette.
Will the fun never cease.

Thanks again,
Bob (White One)

 

77 Switch assy

New E78 Pivot on top Old 77 broken pivot on bottom

E78 Pivot separated from the hi low black actuator

New E78 pivot mounted to the original 77 switch assembly.

 

Here is another photo showing the new metal part of the E78 pivot ready to be mounted to the 77 T&T column. Part of the original broken pivot and the E78 black piece that actuates the high low beam headlight switch. I didn't need the black piece because my original switch assemble had this built into it.

Maybe this will help someone in the future?

 

Thanks for posting all this info, I'm sure it will help others with the 77 T&T column. When you reinstall the switch assembly back into your column you might also check steps 4 & 5 for proper position of the dimmer switch using these setup instructions.

 

Now you are gonna have to start producing these. Wilcox will be happy to market them for you. Every 77 that still exists either needs this or will soon.

 

Don't know about producing these things? As you already know, The E78 Pivots are getting harder and harder to find. Plus when you do find them, they are expensive. Knowing what I know now, I ended up purchasing an extra E78 pivot for a backup if I ever need it? Hopefully not! Another issue with the 77 pivot with the T&T column is when something in the pivot breaks? It's either the metal part of the pivot, or it's the switch assembly itself. Being the switch assembly is impossible to find, rebuilding these pivots to work as designed is impossible without the switch itself.

After looking at the way everything is designed with the pivot and switch assembly, because the design is terrible, I did make a change! The biggest issues are the poorly made and designed pivot (metal piece) and the force put upon it by the high low dimmer action. The pivot breaks easily! I Found out how easy when I replaced the old dimmer switch with a new one, and almost immediately, my old pivot broke. Granted the pivot action was kind of sloppy to begin with.

Although everything worked exactly like it was designed to after I replaced the pivot assembly. I ended up adding a floor mounted dimmer to get around the forces put on the pivot when using the dimmer switch. Hopefully this will help the switch assembly controlling wipers and turn signal to last (even though the original pivot lasted 41 years)? Only time will tell?

Have a good one.