OK - I searched around and couldnt find a solution anywhere - so here we go again.

I have T&T on my '78. It has never worked since I got the car. So - I bought the rebuild kit from Willcox, and got to work recently. I ran into all sorts of the wrong screws right away - and I think I finally have those all sorted out (steering wheel screws were not flat top, so the spacer would not fit in all of the way - and then I forgot to order the Star Bolt retaining screws.. I have it all now)

So, after I did some painting, I went to reassmble today and heres what I found - I test fitted the star bolt and tightened it all of the way down to make sure it would lock. It did, so great, lets start the full assembly! I take the bolt back out, put my steering spacer and telescopic lever on, and tighten the star bolt all of the way down... it has to be soooo tight for the locking mechanism to engage that it would be impossible to adjust it once fully assembled (I tried!) .... so what am I missing here? Is my rod that the star screw presses against just slightly short? I tried to capture inside of the hole in a photo, but was having a hard time getting it to focus.

One more question - the horn contact spring and rod - those go into the largest of the three holes pictured in the 2nd and 3rd picture, correct?

Let me know what you think!

Best,
VV

 

Pictures always help me.....................



And then I adjust the "Star", and after many attempts it seems fine. ( its just barley snug, then back off one or two holes )

Hope that helps..............

Have a Great Day,

Bill

 

Bill,

Thanks for the response, but unfortunately that does not get me where I need to go with this issue. The problem lies within the star bolt and lever... in order to get the telescoping feature to LOCK, I have to have the star bolt so tight that it would be impossible to move the LEVER by hand, even when loosening. Does that make sense at all? If im not doing a good job at explaining, I can take a video and try to post that.

Best,
VV

 

Have you downloaded Jim Shea's steering papers? Lots of good how-to info, diagrams, photos, etc. Here's a link: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/

Go to the "Categories" menu on the right and select "Corvette Steering". Tons of info to read but your answer is probably in there somewhere. I used his papers to sort out all kinds of problems with the T/T column in my '73 when I first got it.

DC

 

how long is the little rod inside ?

 

pull the rod out. I think i removed the two bolts holding the coloum to the dash.turned the tilt all the way down, and then kind slamed the column downward so the rod would come flying out. lol

get a steel rod at home depot. its about 3 bucks for like 5 ft.

cut a new one slightly longer. file it down till it tightens the tele, but also loosens when you turn the ****/screw. its a lot of on off til you get it right. but you only need it slightly longer. like 1/16

 

oh yeah there is a wedge inside the shaft hole, when you insert the new rod you want to make sure its inserted properly and not forced in.

 

I was going to suggest to sacrifice an old screwdriver that has the shaft dia. you need .

The horn piece does go down the big hole as you said , but make sure it touches the little contact.

 

Ok so it sounds like everyone is in agreeance that it's the rod.. how do I know when it has seated properly on the wedge?
I'll pull the rod tomorrow and report back with what I find!

 

You need to pull the steering wheel hub, part of the lower horn contact that should extend up through the hub is missing or broken off. If your upper contact spring and pin are put in the hub like it is, it will ground the horn and honk all the time.
https://www.zip-corvette.com/69-82-s...on-spring.html

 

I make all three of the original rods here.... so I pulled this off our vendor price list because honestly I don't think it's been posted anywhere before.

So.... if you pull the rod, you guys can now measure them to see if it's correct.

1969-1982 Corvette Tilt column locking rods were not all the same.
The original part number for 1969-1974 was 5693417 and it was 4.23” long

The original part number for 1975-1976 was 7819032 and it was 4.30” long

Gm used 7808614 as a replacement part number for both rods and it was 4.30” long

The original part number for the 1977-1986 was 7827158 and it was 3.80” long.

All three versions are in-stock and now available for shipment.

Willcox

 

nice, so if I take mine out and its 3.8" long (LOL) then I know I have a different issue.. hopefully tackling this in a couple of hours

 

OK - quick update for future lurkers.. Instead of getting a longer rod, I found an old thread where Jim Shea himself suggest a small ball bearing to make up the difference (see post #9 https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html) ... so i ran down to Home Depot and grabbed a 3/16 ball bearing for $0.76 and popped it in just out of curiousity.... and it worked! So - I got the wheel back together for now. I still have to spend more money with @Willcox Corvette to get some proper screws and to get the piece @'75 suggested so i can hopefully have a horn.. but hey, its coming together!

 

I had a similar issue as my 79 T/T after I had to remove my column to make some repairs, it would not hold in place or if I tightened the star nut to tight I could not adjust it. Prior to the rebuild of the column it worked fine. I placed a VERY thin washer (after filing the diameter to the fit the shaft) down the shaft prior to inserting the locking rod. Fixed my problem and had the amaizing cost of $0 to make the fix, two years and counting.

 

You are missing the locking wedge bumper. Very easy for it to fall out and not notice it. Serviced by dr rebuild just look at his steering column drawing and you will find it catalog uu. I have one in my 77 column

 

is there any reason for me to replace it if I was able to get the T&T working with the ball bearing?

 

holy cow chuck is right. i had no idea. seems like many of us seem to have a good solution to the problem. you should be fine.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-on-77-a.html

 

Related question here -- My steering column definitely "tilts." When I changed my steering wheel I noticed that it also "telescopes" but once I tightened that star bolt, it locked in place.

I assumed that this means you can only adjust the tilt on the fly and the telescoping feature is "set it and forget it."

Am I correct in saying, perhaps something is installed incorrectly and, in fact, if the column tilt can be adjusted, with some troubleshooting, the telescope can also be adjusted? (with the lever, not removing the horn button and loosening, tightening screws, etc.)

thank you in advance!

 

yes, th function of the star bolt is to press in the rod, which forces the wedge into the locked position.
THe lever is conected to the star bolt via 2 little machine screws. so you turn the lever you tighten the star bolt.

You need to adjust the star bolt, as such that the wedge is in the unlocked postion. when the lever is to the left, but also locked when lever is turned to the right.
the lever only rotates the strar screw about 1/4 turn; so you need to tighten the screw til it locks, and then back it up a bit til it unlocks the tele. that is where you attach the 2 machine screws while the lever is to the left.
If adjusted correctly when you turn the lever to the right, it will turn the star bolt enough to press the rod and lock the wedge.

edit: oh yeah, the lever mentioned is the one under the horn button, not the tilt lever stock on the side.

 

That edit was my question! So it's not that lever? how does it work then? You rotate the "lever" and lock it back in place? Hard to describe without being in front of my car, but I will check it out when I get home!

Thanks for the detailed reply!